New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-24
CHAPTER XIX.


Nerissa uttered a cry OF Joy.
There lay the little prince. rosy and flushed with
sleep. the thumb Of one dimpied hand in his
mouth the other lying like half-closed rosebud
on tbe pale. sea green coverlet that was thrown
him.
Nerissa stroled The crumpled yellow curls half
TIMELY. wondering II he were changed in any way
Certainly he appeared TO be exactly the same as
when she had last seen him in HIS mother-of-pearl
cradle in the palace nursery, but Golconda's en-
chantments varied that perhaps the baby
prince though appearing unframed. had fallen
under her spells.
As she leaned over him. half afraid to wake him
from his sumbers the baby prince stretched him
self and opened his eyes.
He crov-ed with delight at the sight OF Nerissa,
and held out his arms II asking TO be taken UP;
and though he was such big baby for his age.
sae managed TO lift him. Then she sat down on q
lttle three legged stool and kissed him again and
rvain while he laughed and crowed and grasped
her long hair with his dimpled hands
Nerissa looked up at Otho and they both nodded.
= Just what he used do Nerssa said She
doesn't seem 10 have harmed him in the least"
= Ohio looked round him.
do you think this can be Golconda's room.
Princess
L don't think it can be" Nerssa said. there is
90 little furniture in it,"
And then. quite contentedly. she began 10 kiss
BABY Noel again. She forgot all about Golconda's
entertainments and dangers overshadowing them;
II was enough to hold her baby brother safely in
her arms
She thought Of her fathers Joy at the sight Of
MS little and heir. how the bells would ring
from all the church steeples: how the children and
aged poor would be Toasted; how
- But here Othos voice broke I'm upon her thoughts.
t8e had been exploring the room, with anxious
look upon his face, for at any moment lie knew,
che wicked fairy might discover them; then fare
well TO al their thoughts Of home and safety.
9 But lar. he had not succeeded in finding an
exit.
This Is such strange palace" no said ruefully
~ wonder why they don't have windows and doors
like everybody else. Princess we must not delay;
Golconda may return at any moment. and We shall
never be free again" Nerissa locked I'D in sur
prise. she had never seen Ohio so agitated She
laid the baby prince again IN the little sway
Ing hammock. and then she. too. searched FOR an
other way than the one by which they had
tered
Al last they found it.
in the green Of one OF the walls there shone
tiny diamond button no bigger than a dewdrop
Its brightness attracted Nerissa's glance and she
7moved nearer 10 examine it,
Then she touched Il with her finger and hey
presto! the wall slid away noiselessly disclosing
5an inner room, whose wonders caused them to
feeraw a deep breath OF delight This must be Col
= They stole in on tiptoe. half fearing that she
might be there; but the room was empty of any
: living presence.
2 50 they thought until they saw movement near
= the tail. carved rnartepiece
- great white cat lay coiled up on satin cushion
q washing herself and passing her paw lazily over
her ears, and between whites purring contentedly
She took 80 notice Of the children. beyond look
ms at them and following with her cleaning eyes
i. There was a wicked look in the eyes that made
eNerissa shivcr they were like those OF Goconda.
sshe could diyest herself Of the idea that when
,-her back was turned the white cat would spring
upon her and therefore she could not give her fun
attention 10 The search for the charm which was
.srfo save them all
90 Ohio perseVercd manfully.
It did not occur 10 him 10 be afraid Of a cat how
ever large. and he went quite close 10 her once in
his WanoorinEs round the room.
- The yellow eyes CLEANED until they appeared 20
Be almost REQ. and the tail sweled &c twice its
size making NCrissa trcmble with fear. but Ohio 5
fhouglts were too busy 10 allow him TO notice the
= .;Tts very hard to find something when you don't
know what YOU are looking for" he said discon-
3 eolately Il wonder what kind OF thing IL is
Nov. after a time Nerlssa, as she watched the
70 fnerv This happened more than once. and pres
sntly Nerissa mentioned the tact 70 ONO
Their Otho TOO, noticed how wickedly the cats
eyes CLEANED. and he. too. saw how greatly they
resembico GolcoEda's - e., q, -
st6. Get as search very carefully. Princess. Never
rsnd the cat; she will not harm US while have
IL Grew IL from the sheath as ne spoke. and the
ID white cat suddenly showed her TEEN ara SPY
- engriy, rising and ciefa1ing heF DICK ui''i II
= SersSss slrank away. bot Ohio aimed his dagger
eonfInTed to watch them As Ohio had said. IL is
very diflcut 20 look for a thing without knowing
many beautiful thnFs. u was the most wonderful
xhe children had ever seen and had their thoughts
SINE examising the treasures scattered around
i44hen. .
hs naSer n Ise Ssd er a ibe hangRTs Of
lceilcafe hoes resem blirg the inside OF seashel
ne room. supported by three silver colphns while
NJ intervals hero and there were tan cabinets iniaid
After a long and fru.tless search otho paused to
consider aso a. he die 50 he met The white cats