New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-17
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII
So randy ala they descend that the little prin-
cess and Ohio had time to notice their surround
ings.
Down. down. down they went, gliding smoothly,
without Jerk Not into Darkness however. for
over them shone q soft. rose-colcred light, which
grew stronger every moment
Presently they seemed to touch solid ground
The portion OK the pavement upon which they stood
slid from beneath their feet almost impercepubly'
end they saw It rising again. evidently 10 return
its former position IN the flooring OF the great
hall.
They found themselves IN the midst OF another
vast circular apartment but in all save shape. It
IN no way resembled the one they had Just left.
This was the rose chamber.
Red and pink roses clambered up the silver treIis
work OF the walls. roses hung n perfumed wreaths
from the lofty ceiling. and stood IN huge opales-
cent bowls about the room, and over ell was the
wonderful light they had noticed IN their descent
glowing tint that turned everything even the
marble walls and cleaning floor. into crimson
From the trellis work came the sound OF birds
end when their wonderment had abated little the
children went closer ana peeped through.
what they had imagined 70 be trells work IN
reality great silver barred cage. containing hun
oreds OF birds Of every hue
Creamy parrots, with rose-colored crests. swung
iaEily 70 and FRO perches OF silver: dainty hum
ming birds iuttered hither and thther restlessly:
cannz1es looking ike little tufts OF gold. nestled
amid the clusters OF roses. while in a distant cor
rer chained by the claw silver bar. looking
them with fierce. untamed glance, a golden
eagle.
Nerissa put her hand on otho's arm and pointed
~ out 20 him
How wild and fierce he looks" she exclaimed.
and how unhappy"
The great birds eyes seemed 10 lose their fierce
she spoke. and. dragging his chain. he
came closed to the bars. II dumbly asking their
aid
Ne-1ssa felt no fear: she thrust her hand be-
tween the bars ana gently stroled the eagles head
As she did SO. with one accord. all the birds nut-
tered nearer.
Let US outs let US outr' cried parrot nuttering
down from the perch and coming closer the bars.
I'VE all IN captivity with Goiconds, and are
not what we seem 10 be. Let US outr'
but how can we?" asked Nerisss. IN great as
tress. I'VE cannot unlock the cage"
She shook the bars. while Ohio searched for the
lock. ana presently found a silver paddock sus-
pended near the eagles perch.
But needless TO say. the key was not in the lock,
and the bars would not yield to pressure.
The Oldest parrot shook his head mournfuly, ana
his bright eye grew aim.
"Golconda guards the lock too carefully" he said
while all his fellow captives dropped their heads and
ruttered their wings.
Does she ever come IN here7-' asked Ohio fear
iessiy. looking around him as he spoke. Danger
Eee-ned 20 be IN the very air.
VERY often" replied the parrot 'She comes
several times day TO torture us. We cannot
understand why she has not been to-day. ana we
have not had even the scanty food she allows US 10
keep alive"
nether ssid @ word. FOR the parrot began 20 speak
Igsin-
'T7ow oid you get here7- he asked. rubbing his
rosere6 tuft meditstively against the bars OF the
ssse; I'VE have seen noTtsls for many and nanv
q DAY. II you fly from here do so without a
We foo
he stopped suddenly. and again all tire birds ant
tered their wings
The eagle had returned 20 his place. ana was
nov looking eloomily IN front OF him apparently
taking no further interest In the proceeding
We cannot 90 back" said Ner5ssa-and indeed
nhere seemed TO be exit from the roon-~ard
sow that here. must go on for We have
some 20 seek my baby brother. Have YOU heard Of
nim7 A little baby with blue eyes and yellow
AS she spoke OF Baby Noel the tears rose IN
Ner1ssss eyes. He seemed 20 be 50 close at hand
aot encountered hitherto beset them on ali sides
III coioonda's kingdom they could expect no KIND
friends 90 help them: even the hermit had been left
one Day GSlconcs came ns .pto the room 6eariRs
psrrot said, .iand remember he held out his arm.
tossed him up and Gown. and seemed kinder thar
s.Isuf how could she7" asked Ohio. 'she is II
Not h her own doninions." said the parrot
only IN the outer world does she take the form
q BIRD. Here she is a woman. very tall and fair
and you would never think she could have such az
Evil heart Yet she comes and fortunes us oar
after day and laughs 10 see our misery. Some
hing must have befsiien her. methinks. Would
indeed that q had. and that the spell laid upon u
al could be brokenP'
When the parrot heard that the hall porter haS
slunberec at his post. he rufied up his feather'
and looked very thoughtful.
He has not dared 10 do that for years. NJ
said; Therefore Golconda must yet finger IN th'
butter world. Hasten, little princess. and seek he
loom, for there and there only can the charm b,
found. Once in your hands. the spell win be broker
and Colconda powerlcSs again 70 harm any one"
Nertsse looked around eagerly.
But how can get out OF hereZ' she asked
There seems 20 be wsy-and what Is the charm
ere are 70 seek for?"
That cannot tell YOU" rti,iied parrot 81
srsy <kncw that tn Coicouoa'a Apartment ID Is
tses1 &c sssk for Il. little princess. with al