New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-06
II u u . = y
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER MI.
For the greater part Of the evening Fantastica.
In her beautiful. cleaning gown. led the revels.
The fete was given in her honor. and cOnse-
quently all the courtiers had 90 surrender their
own wishes. and join in games which they very
much disliked. Fantastica Ike all spoiled chill
dren. exceedingly selfish.
The poor king had to run about in a manner
which completely took his breath away. but this
only amused his unruIy child. lie and the Lord
Chancellor were blindfolded and both CROPPED about
so helplessly that at last even the heiress-ap-
parent took pity on them. and ordered one OF the
equerries to remove the bandages from their eyes
The supper tables set out In the great
saloon OF the ruby mine. II was a vast apartment
followed out % one immense rock % ruby and the
roof and fretted arches resembled the aisle OF Il
cathedral
Innumerabie crystal globes through which the
light shone like liquid gold were sIung from pillar
TO Pillar. Illuminating the clear ruby % the coll
umns. and sending a crimson glow shlmmerInz
over the white naPeTy and silver laden tables un,i
IL seemed though the were setting amid
clouds of roseate glory.
When the feast began. Fantastlca. as the most
Important parsonage present. occupied the place
OF honor at the head Of the table while the king
and queen sat on either side. Nerissa sat next 10
the king. O;ho on the queens left hand and then
came the courtiers in the order or rank
The tables were laden with the most delicate
viands. and the attendants poured into the golden
goblets a delicious beverage peculiar 10 C;none-
land.
It appeared TO be a mixture Of cowslip wine and
sherbet and Il frothed continually I'm the goblet OF
It's own accord. greatly 20 Nerissa's astonishment
There was absolutely need 10 stir H. or 10 add
anything to IL; II would remain quite stfu for
moment or two. and then would suddenly begin To
nzz gently. until it almost frothed above the rim
OF the goblet.
During the feasting and laughter and drinking
OF healths Nerissa noticed that Ohio did not look
ha emf otfn
merely made pretence at eating and though noe
at all greedy. Othc fond OF good things as
are most boys OF his age
He looked quite perplexed and unhappy. and
after time Nerissa began to feel that something
dreadful must be going To happen and she too
lost all interest in her surroundings
whenever Fantastica raised her goblet to her
lips she would look at Nerissa with such a curious
felt her heart beating quickly. and she IoRsed to
lgmp, III. up and run away from all the noise and
And yet she knew she had no real cause for fear.
scr"ss eye 100 looked terrified as they met hers
presently the long. long meal came TO end, AMI
The Princess Nerissa and will hide = She said
and all the rest can seek for US.
she took Nerissa by the hand without further ado
away from her. "''
50 the two princesses ran. and ran. and ran
stu the cruel Fanastica dragged her on down one
maze OF ruby sidngs on. and on and on until the
light gmmeTed more family and then seemed
80 out altogether. leaving them In total darkness.
on we SHAH never find our way back" said
You will not" replied Fantastica. IN a voice OF
triumph. but shall" and only then did she re-
Nerissa CROPPED IN the darkness and caught hold
OF an end OF Fantastca's silvery gauze; but the
portion OF the scarf was left in Nerissa's grasp.
While Fantastcas voice came from the distance
~,GOodby. your royal highness. soodbyr'
then the poor little princess felt herself alone IN
the impenetrabIe darkness out OF sight and sound
she ala not cry her fear was too great she just
with wide eyes into the darkness.
Presently tiny glimmer of ilght shous in the
must be dreamlns but there II shons clearly;
TO 90 out and then her newly awakened hopes
died out again; but the next moment IL reap
that II borne by somebody. and that the
some was Ohio. on. what Joy they felt a.
and frightened faces. IL was some moments before
Il overheard Fantastica saying she would do
you harm. princess" he said then. and during
enjoy nothing, When she took your hand and led
you away to hide. slipped forth silently. unseen
grew very dark, but remembered my little bit OF
Il forgot ali about mine" said NeFissa Il was
She opened her little wallet and took it out. ana
tn .s1 they had quite grand Illumination
mlne?" said Ohio. I'VE had better go on princess
or Fantastica may again do you harm"
Yes. yes" exclaimed Nerissa, with a shudder
she Is very wicked; let us go But the king and !
queen kind -
Yes assented Otho 'but they too are in m. |
power OF Fantastica: You see. princess. in Gnome-
land the women always rule-so different flOm !
our own land!-and the king. they say only Ne 4
came king because he married the queen. and the I
real power is all In the hands OF Fantastica we |,
had better go" "
Ohio seemed to have taken years OF responsibility (
upon him since arriving In the land OF the gnom@s
and he felt great anxiety for the welfare OF hls |
kings daughter % His
They rose. and walked steadily onward for
great distance through one echoing passage AFTER