Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-07-24
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI
'RiSe!" commanded the king in
deep, well modulated voice, and when
they had arisen he inspected them crit
ically, his eyes lingering on Thorndyke
"You look as if you take life easily.
You have a jovial countenance," he said
cordially.
Thorndyke returned his smile and at
once felt at ease.
There is no use in taking it any 9TH
er way" he said. 1T doesn't amount
to much at best
You are wrong" returned the king,
playing with the jewels on his robe.
THAT is because you have been reared
as you have-in your unsystematiC
world. Here we make life serious
study. 1t is our object to assist nature
in all things. The efforts Of your people
amount to nothing because they are not
carried far enough. Your scientists are
dreaming idiots. They are continually
cropping after the ideal and doing moth.
ing with the positive. 1t was for us tc
carry out everything to perfection.
Show me where we can make a single
improvement, and you shall become q
prince"
IF my life depended on that, my
head would be off this instant" was
the quick witted reply Of the English
man.
This so pleased the king that he
laughed till he shook. "Well said" he
smiled. 80 you like our country?"
Absolutely charmed. My friend
(Thorndyke was determined to bring his
companion into favor, if possible) and !
have been in raptures ever since we rose
this morning."
A flush of pleasure crossed the face of
the king. "You have not seen half of
our wonders yet. I confess that am
pleased with you, sir. The majority of
people who are brought here are SO
frightened that they grow morbid and
DESTROYS to return to their own countries
as soon as they learn that such a thing
is out Of the question.
Thorndyke's stout heart suffered
sudden pang at the words, but he did not
change countenance in the slightest, for
the king was closely watching effect
Of his announcement
"Of course" went on the ruler,
gratified by the indifference Of the Eng
lishman, "of course it could not be done.
No one outside Of few of the royal
family and our trusted agents has ever
leis u.s.
Il can't see how any one.could be so
unappreciative as to want to Co." an
swered Thorndyke, with a GOODNESS that
surprised even Johnston. II have trav-
eled in all countries under the sun-the
sun was born under-and got so bored
with them that my friend and myself
took to ballooning for diversions, but
here there is o delightful surprise at ev-
cry turn"
II was told you were aerunauts, re.
turned the ruler, deigning to cast a
glance at the silent Johnston, who stood
with eyes downcast, land confess that
it interested me in you"
At that juncture most beautiful girl
glided through the curtains at the back
OF the throne and came impnlsively TO-
ward the king. Her brown hair fell in
rich masses ON her bare shoulders. Her
eyes were large, deep and brown, and
her skin was exquisitely fine in texture
and color. Her dress was artistic and
well suited to her 1.-the figure. She held
an instrument resembling lutte in her
hands and stopped suddenly when she
noticed that the king was engaged.
1T is my daughter, the Princess Der.
nardino,'' explained the king as he
heard her light step and turned toward
her. She shall sing for you. and-yes
(nodding to her), you shall dance also. I"
As she took her position on a great
rug in front Of the throne she kept her
eyes on the handsome Englishman as If
fascinated by his appearance. Thorn.
dykes heart beat quickly. The blood
mantled his face, and he stood en-
tranced as she touched the resonant
strings with her white fingers and be-
gan to play and sing. An innocent, art
less smile parted her lips from her
matchless teeth, and her face glowed
with inspiration. Far above in the
hooks and crannies Of the vast dome,
with its divergent corridors and ar
cades, the faint echoes of her voice
seemed to reply to her during the
pauses in her song. Then she ceased
singing. and to the faraway and yet
distinct accompaniment Of some stringed
instrument in the orchestra she began
to dance. Holding her instrument in .
graceful fashion against her shoulder as
one holds violin and with her flowing
white gown caught in the other hand,
she bowed and smiled and instantly
seemed transformed. From the statu-
esque and dreamy singer she became o
marvel Of graceful motion. To and fro
she swept from end to end Of the great
rug, her tiny feet and slim ankles trip
ping so lightly that she seemed to move
without support through the air.
Thorndyke stood as if spellbound, for
at every turn, as if seeking his approx
al, she glanced at him inquiringly.
When she finished, she stood for mo-
ment in the center Of the rug painting,
her beautiful bosom. beneath its filmy
covering Of lace, gently rising and fall
ing. Then, asking her fathers consent
with a mute glance, she ran forward
impulsively, and kneeling at Thorn
dykes feet she took his hand and press
ed i to her lips, and, rising, suffused
with bushes. she tripped from the dais
and disappeared behind the curtain.
The king frowned as he looked after
her. 1T is q mark Of preference, he
said coldly. lit is one Of our customs
for dancer or singer to favor some one
of her spectators in that way. My daugh-
ter evidently mistook you for an embas.
sador from one Of my provinces, but it
does not matter"
"She is wonderfully beautiful" re.
piled the tactful Englishman, pretend.
ing not to be fattered by the notice Of
the princess.
do you think our people fine look
ing as ruler" asked the king to change
the subject.
Decidedly. I never imagined such a
race existed"
Again the king was pleased. "That
Is one Of the objects Of our system.
Generation after generation we improve
mentally and physically. We are the