Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-07-10
CHAPTER. III

face as he looked through the wide
plate glass window.
my graciousr" calculated the latter
rs he drew nearer. 1t was q wondrous
scene. The building in which they were
imprisoned stood on a gentle hill clad
in luxuriant, smoothly cut grass and
ornamented with beautiful flowers and
plants, and below lay splendid city
o city built on undulating ground, with
innumerable grand structures Of white
marble, with turrets, domes and pin
nacles Of gold. Wide streets paved in
polished stone and bordered with lush
green grass interspersed with statues
and beds and mounds of strange plants
and flowers stretched away in front of
them till they were lost in the dim,
misty distance. Parks filled with pa.
vilions, pleasure lakes, fountains and
tortuous drives and walks dotted the
landscape i'll all directions
Thorndyke's breath had clouded the
glass Of the window, and he rubbed it
with his handkerchief. As he did SO
the sash slowly and without particle
of sound slid to one side, disclosing q
narrow balcony outside. 1t had q grace
full balustrade, made of carved red and
white mottled marble, and ON the end
Of tho balcony facing the city sat a
great gold and silver jug, ten feet high,
Of rare design. The spout was formed
by the body of dragon with wings ex-
tended. The handle was serpent with
the extremity of its tail coiled around
the neck of the jug.
The air that came in ut the window
was fresh and dewy aud laden with the
most enhancing odors. Thorndyke led
tho way out, treading very gently at
first. Johnston followed him, too much
surprised to make any comment From
this position their view to the left round
the corner of the building was widened,
and new wonders appeared ON every
hand.
Over the polished Stone pavements
strange vehicles ran noiselessly, as if
the wheels had cushioned tires, and the
streets were crowded with an active,
strangely clad populace.
Look at thatr' exclaimed the Amer
lean, and from street corner they saw
queer looking machine. carrying half
o dozen passengers, rise like bird with
wings outspread and fly away toward
the east. They watched it till it disap-
peared in the distance.
1--WE are indeed in wonderland" said
the Englishman. II can't make head
or tail Of it. We were OH an isolated
island, the Lord only knows where.
and have suddenly been transported to
new world"
II can't feel at all as if we were in
the world we were born in" returned
Johnston. 81 feel strange"
'The wine," suggested the English
man-"you know it did wonders for US
in that saltwater thing"
mo, the wine has nothing to do
with it. My head never was clearer.
The very atmosphere is peculiar. The
air is invigorating, and I can't get
enough Of it."
THAT is exactly the way I feel, was
Thorndyke's answer.
Look at the sunlight" went on
Johnston. 1T is gray like our dawn,
but see how transparent it is. You can
look through it for miles and miles II
is becoming pink in the east The sun
will soon be up, and am curious to see
it"
1t must be up now, but we cannot
see it for the hills and buildings. My
goodness. see that" And the English
man pointed to the east A food Of del.
icate pink light was now pouring into
the vast body Of gray and was slowly
driving the more somber color toward
the west. The line of separation was
marked-so marked, indeed, that il
seemed vast, rose colored billow roll
ing, widening and sweeping onward
like a swell Of the ocean shoreward. On
it came rapidly till the whole land
scape was magically changed. The flow.
ers, the trees, the grass, the waters OF
the lakes. the white buildings, the cos.
tunes Of the people in the streets, even
the sky. changed in aspect The white
clouds looked like firelit smoke, and
far toward the west rolled the long line
Of pink. still struggling with the gray
and driving it back.
The sun now came into sight, q great
bleeding ball of fire slowly rising above
the gilded roofs in the distance.
BY Jove, look at our shadowsi' ex
claimed Johnston, and both men gazed
at the balcony floor in amazement.
Their shadows were as clearly defined
and black as silhouettes "How do you
account for that" continued the Amer.
ican. II am firmly convinced that this
sun is not the orb that shines over my
native land"
Thorndyke laughed, but his laugh wal
forced. How absurd, and yeti He
extended his hand over the balustrade
into the rosy glow, and without conclud
ing his remark held it back into the
shadow of the window easement. by
Jovel" he exclaimed. 'There is not Q
particle of warmth in it. 1t is exactly
the same temperature in the shade as il
the light. He moved back against the
wall. mo; there is no difference; the
blamed thing doesn't give out any
warmth"
Johnston's hands were extended il
the light. II believe you are right. hi
declared in awe. Something is wrong .
At that moment appeared from the
room behind them q handsome youth
attired in suit of scarlet silk that fitted
his athletic figure perfectly. He raped
softly on the window easement ant
bowed when they turned.
Your breakfast is waiting for You.
he announced. They followed him int
a room adjoining the one they had occu
pied and found a table holding q stump
tuous repast. The boy gave them seat.
and handed them golden plates to ea
upon. The fruits, wine and meats were
very appetizing, and they ate with rel
ish.
Il believe we are to be conducted IL
the palace Of your king tomorrow" ven
fured the Englishman TO the how