The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-03-28
e RIN@ES9
0RRELLR.
BY MYrs Aemilton.

to the Prince who first reaches this
island tonight. A few hours ago a
fleet of boats left his palace and set
sail for here. Each boat contains a
Prince and several trusty men, and
they are now racing, one against the
other, to see who shall arrive first.
What do you wish to do? Shall the
Princes land and claim you for their
bride, or shall we defend our island
against them all?
But the Princess Darella was so be-
wildered that she could do nothing but
cry.
II don't like talking to a voice with
out an owner" she sobbed plaintively.
1T gives me the creeps."
II am very sorry" was the reply,
'for l am afraid it cannot be altered.
L have not the power to appear be-
fore you in my own shape yet. At
present l am disguised as bat, and
If you will look up steadily you will
be able to see me flying about"
So the Princess glanced up and saw
the bat darting in and out of the trees,
and it comforted her. She felt quite
willing to stay with him. for he had
such a nice voice.
Il think" she said, after few min
utes' consideration, "that would pre-
fer to remain on this island. | am
very happy here. and shall be more
so now that have found somebody
who can talk to me. You see, | don't
wish to marry unless meet my Dream
Prince, and there really seems to be
no chance of that. But can you defend
the island?"
Certainly I can," replied the voic>
eagerly. But you must help me, too"
"Yes, WILL" said Darella promptly
IF you will tell me what to do"
Il want you to sit upon that high
piece of rock" explained the voice,
"and comb your hair until the fight is
over. 1 will go down to the waters
edge with my men and try to prevent
the Princess landing"
with your men?" echoed the Prin-
cess. Have you an army hereY"
well, not exactly that" replied the
voice, in rather hesitating manner.
but many of my companions are held
by the same spell that | myself am,
and l know they will do their best to
aid me II ask them. But l must be
going. Look out to sea, and you Will
be able to watch the boats as they an.
proach our shore. Now. begin to comb
your tresses, and do not cease until /
return to you"
So Darella clambered up on the rock
and after she unbraided her lovely
| golden hair she commenced to comb
1t. But every time she drew the sill
yer comb through, 1t came out in such
handfuls that soon she thought she
| would become bald. The wind caught
her beautiful curls as they futtered
| from her head, and blew them toward
the sea, but the Princess had no idea
what they were being used for. In
the distance she could hear the men
shouting loudly, and, though she grew
very nervous. she never ceased her
combing; the more anxious she be-
came, the more vigorously she went
OH with her task.
In the meantime the bat that had
talked so long to Darella was flying
round the island arouslng hundreds of
other bats. AT the sound of his voice
they all gathered around him in a
dense gray cloud, and FASTENED down
to the waters edge just as the occu-
pants Of the boats were prepared to
land. But the moment the men placed
their feet upon the beach the bats
hurled themselves in their faces and
beat them back. Again and again the
men struggled forward, but they could
not advance at all. For not only had
they to fight against these vicious lit
tie creatures, but they could feel at
the same time something twlnlng
round their legs and holding them
back. They did not know that 1t was
the golden locks OF tie Princess Da-
rella that impeded their progress so
much, for when the wind rushed away
with her sIIken tresses 1t bad orders
to twist th.-n about ths enemy and