Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-02-26
FOR
THEGAZETTE'S
LITTLE FOLKS
s=s ts,fts:' i<5,ai -.
The House of Pride


of his lack of loyalty TO Una, fell in
to much danger and difficulty. His
first fault was in believing evil of her
50 readily, and leaving her forlorn;
after that he was too easily beguiled
by the pretended goodness and beauty.
of Duessa. All who fight in a good
cause must beware of errors such as
these. IF matters do not go exactly as
we wish, we must not lose heart and
get impatient; even if we cannot un-
ders:and what is happening, we must
trust that all will be well. We mus
keep steadily to the one true aim set
before us, or else, like the Red Cross
Knight, we may be led astray by false
things that are only pleasant in APP
pearance, and have no real goodness.
Duessa and the Knight travelled for
long way, till at last they saw in
front CT them grand and beautiful
building. 1t seemed as if it we're the
house of some mighty Prince; a
broad highway led up to it, all trod-
den bare by the feet CT those who
flocked thither. Great troops of pecp:e
of all sorts and condition journeyed
here, both by day and night. But few
returned unless they managed to es-
cape, besgared and disgraced, when,
ever afterward, they lived life of
misery.
To this place Duessa guided the
Red Gross knight, for she was tired
with the toilsome Journey, and the
day was nearly over.
It was a stately palace, built of
smooth bricks. cunningly laid together
without mortar. The walls were high,
but neither strong nor thick, and they
were covered with dazzling gold-foil.
There were many lofty towers and
picturesque galleries, with bright
windows and delightful bowers; and
on the top there was dial to tell the
time.
It was lovely to lock at, and did
much credit to the workman that de-
signed it; but it was a great pity that
so fair a building rested on so frall
foundation. For it was mounted high
up on a sandy hill that kept shifting
and falling away. Every breath of
heaven made il shake; and all the
back parts, that no one could see, were
old and ru:nous, though cunn!ngly
painted over.
Arrived here, Duessa and the Red
Cross knight passed in at once, for
the gates stood wide open to all. They
were in charge of a porter, called ell
come" who never denied entrance to
any one. The hall inside was hung
with costly tapestry and rich curtains.
Numbers of people, rich and poor,
were waiting here. in order to gain
sight Of the Lady of this wonderful
place.
Duessa and the Knight passed
through this crowd, who all gazed at
them. and entered the Presence Cham
Der of the Queen.
What dazzling sight met their
eyes! Such a scene of splendour had
never been known in the court of any
living prince. A noble company of
lords and ladies stood on every side,
and made the place more beautiful
with their presence.
High above all there was cloth of
state. and rich throne as bright as
the sun. On the throne, clad in royal
robes, sat the Queen. Her garments
were all gEttering with gold and
precious Jewels; out so great was her
beauty that it d:mmed even the bright
ness of her throne. She sat there in
pr;ncely state, shining like the sun.
She hated and despised al lowly
things Of earth. Under her scornful
feet lay a dreadful dragon, with
hideous tail. In her hand she held a
mirror IN which she often looked at
her face; she took great delight, in
her own appearance, for she was fair
er than any living woman. :
She, was the daughter. of grisly
Pluto, King of Hades, and men call
ed her proud Lucifera. She had crown
ed herself a queen, but she had no
rightful kingdom at all, nor any pos
sessions. The power which she had OBJ
.ained she had usurped by wrong and
tyranny. She ruled her realm not by
laws, but ;oy craft, and according to