The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-04-09

for a long time silent in the coach.
The road had now descended to the
valley, where it wound in and out
among the meadows. where the grass
after the first moving had already
renewed itself greener and thicker
than before. 1t is midsummer, when
everything has reached its fullness
and greennes, to linger for a time,
perhaps for a few days, in this rich
elimination of its beauty, before it
shall begin to ripen into decay, or
show one dead leaf or dropping twig
The chestnuts have put on their cream
white blossoms. All the world of
nature seems to be waiting, as if loath
to begin upon its new form of growth
its time of ripening. In a few days,
the little buds will begin to prepare
themselves for the next spring.
Towards evening the coach drew
up before an inn. and the Princess
and Marie alighted and entered, for
they were to spend the night there,
DIS they were still far from their jour
ney's end. The innkeeper was most
pleased to receive them for he recog-
nized the trappings on the horses and
the royal retinue assured him of a
goodly sum of money in return for his
bospitable lodging
After the evening meal, the Prin-
cess being somewhat fatigued, went
to her room. and after seeing that
Ter little mistress was comfortable
for the night, Marie retired to the ad-
joining room, and was soon fast asleep
The pet monkey of the little princess
had curled himself up in chair near
the foot of her bed. and was also
soon sound asleep, when he was
awakened by the princess. Monkey"
she cried in whisper, "see what l
have discovered" and she led him over
to one side of the room. An open
Panel in the wall met his astonished
sight
81 opened it by chance" she whis-
pered, in an awe-struck voice. 81 was
Just feeling my way over to the win
dow. when my fingers touched spring
in the wall, and out few this little
door. | wonder where it leads to-"
end she peered curiously inside.
Secret stairway" she whispered,
turning to the monkey, shall We see
whittier it leads?"
Let us put on our flying suits, y
suggested the monkey. "In case any
thing happens, we can travel fast in
them"
So he and the Princess quickly put
on their magic clothes and in short
time were carefully descending the
secret stairs, but the monkey went
ahead. and being very sure-footed and
d natural climber he easily found the
way, and thus kept his little Princess
from false step.
On reaching the bottom, they found
themselves in a dark passage. Along
this they carefully felt their way,
when, suddenly a noise arrested their
attention. The monkey stopped short,
while the Princess chung to him in
fright AS they peered fearfully down
the long, dim passage, they saw a lit
tie ray of light on one side. Cautious
ly creeping up, they peeped through a
chink in what seemed to be rude
doorway. Around table in large
room, sat seven little dwarfs. By the
side of each was large sack, into
which each little man was dropping
gold nuggets which he counted care
fully as he took them from the pile in
the center of the great table.
What a lot Of money" gasped the
little Princess. One of the little men
must have had very sharp ears, for he
jumped up and opened the door before
the Princess and the monkey had time
tc step back into the darkness.
What dost thou here?" exclaimed
the dwarf in a fierce tone, and his six
comrades arose and brandished on
Ligh six little glittering daggers.
Hold" cried the monkey, I'VE are
friends Of the Dwarf King We but
lately spent the night in his castle,
and these magic flying suits are a
present from his daughter"
so they arei" exclaimed one of the
little men. who at this point ap-
preached and scrutinized the monkey
closely. Fear not, we will not harm
thee But, tell us, how didst thou gain
IN entrance"
Then the little wiIful princess spoke,
and after relating how she had by
chance discovered the secret panel,
the seven little dwarfs bowed very low,
and asked her and the monkey TO come
in and sit down Just as they closed
the door. the report of firearms came
indistinctly to their ears. The seven
little dwarfs hurried from the room,
telling the princess and the monkey
to await their return, for they greatly
feared something of unusual import
ance aid occurred.
what can it be, dear monkey" in
quired the little princess in a fright
ened whisper 81 think we had bet
ter hurry back to our room"
"Wait until we hear from the
dwarfs," answered the monkey, "then
we will know what is best to do"
The sound Of firing increased for a
time and then died out altogether and