The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-07-11

-FHSN--rN ~ ~ CtA(L AEOAu Inc AluH
confirming this report Suppose that
by accident or temporary weakness
she should lose the race, she would
lose her head and they would lose
their princess
Such contest between these two
was enough to excite the citizens of
the island. and when 1t was ordered
that the princess should lose her head
If she did not win everybody went
wild TO obtain admittance to the sta
dunn where it was to take place When
the gates were opened a throng at
once poured in that soon filed the in
closure. and they were closed again,
leaving a multitude without.
The princess and the philosopher
stood on the starting line, the princess
with loose cloak about her to protect
her from the wind in lieu Of the mod
ern sweater. The philosopher wore
the same baggy garments in which
he had discoursed. When the order
was given to make ready the princess
threw of her cloak. while her antag-
Onist doffed his upper garment and.
unloosening cord about his waist.
dropped his neither covering on the
ground.
An exclamation Of surprise greeted
his uncovered body. He proved to be
a combination of bone and muscle,
without particle OF supernuous fat.
Then came conflict Of feeling
among the onlookers. Perhaps the
princess would lose the race and her
headI Perhaps she would beat this
splendid combination of muscles work
ing under a soft white skin! What
match between such a perfect man
and woman!
The stadium was an oblong affair
sunk In the ground, with stone seats
for the spectators. The terms Of the
race were that the contestants should
go over the course on three laps, the
goal being the starting point. where
was also the royal box. The princess
showed an exhilaration or, rather, an
interest which clearly indicated that
she knew her fathers edict to be no
mere threat. 1t was matter of life
and death with her. There was that
about the stranger to indicate conf
dence- None knew whether he would
doom to death the woman he desired
by winning the race. but the prevalent
belief was that be would win If he
could
The signal was given, and the run
ners were of like the wind. The stran-
ger slowly fell behind. then maintain
ed triffing distance When they pass
ed the starting point after the first
lap 1t was evident that both were put
ting forth every effort On the second
lap the stranger continued to lose, but
midway round began to gain When
the point for the third lap was passed
the two were neck and neck The
princess breath was noticed to be
coming hard, while that Of her antag-
onist was improved
The race was a long one, and when
the runners neared the goal they came
slowly. the stranger III the lead Then
1t was seen that the princess was
staggering Suddenly a cry arose from
the spectators The stranger. seeing
that their eyes were turned on the
princess, looked back and saw her lying
on the ground Though he was within
hundred feet Of the goal. be stopped,
went back TO her and lifted her In his
arms She was unconscious
When the Princess ThesbIa came to
herself supported by her antagonist,
she appeared before her father. the
king The stranger said
20 king, | have not won the race
against your daughter: therefore your
royal edict does not condemn her. But
| voluntarily gave up the contest that
| might have won: therefore I have
fulfilled her condition of marriage. It
is time that ] throw of all mystery. 7 |
am king Of -. one of these Grecian
Islands, and ask the hand of the prin
cess as one equal Ia rank with your
SELF
When those standing about the royal |
box heard this they set up shout,
which others more distant, knowing
that good had come 10 the princess.
took up. and the stadium rang with |
The young king married the princess,
and eventually one island was ruled |
BY one and her own island Dy another
Df her sons