(unlabelled) The little company seemed well pleased with the explanation of the jewelled beach, but as soon as the messenger ceased, they asked for the explanation of the trackless sands.
 
“That is a longer story; shall I tell it now?” was the reply.
 
“O yes, do,” said the Princess Ethelda. “We are not a bit tired, and it is so pleasant to look down on the very spot while you tell us.”
 
Thus encouraged, the guide messenger began:—
 
113
“Ages ago, when the world was young, three great Kings ruled in the universe, the Sun King, the Ocean King, and the Earth King. The Earth King owned all the land of the world, and often travelled over it, watching it and caring for it. He was frequently accompanied by his favorite daughter, the beautiful Princess Selene. She was a graceful maiden of about eighteen. Her lovely brown eyes and long, wavy, golden-brown hair, and her white skin and pink cheeks, made her a very charming picture indeed. Being a fun-loving, merry little maiden, her cheerful disposition made her a delightful companion, so her father was always pleased to have her travel with him.
 
“On one of these journeys the young Princess seemed more serious than usual, and one morning she came to her father with a request which greatly surprised him. However, when he found her heart quite set upon it, he made up his mind to grant it. She said she had long contemplated doing her share of work in the world, and that she did not think she wished always to remain just a fun-loving and pleasure-seeking young woman. She asked her father to give her a portion of his vast kingdom to cultivate as a garden, declaring she would make it the most beautiful garden in the world, a sort of earthly paradise.
 
114
“As soon as her father consented to her wish, she chose a charming spot. It was on the borders of a great sea, and back of it were magnificent mountains. A large gulf, too, stood near, whose waters flowed into a shimmering sea beyond. Here Princess Selene, having chosen hundreds of companions, took up her abode. She planted trees for shade and sowed grass for a quiet, restful color, and then she laid out her garden according to a well-thought-out plan.
 
“I could never begin to tell you in a short story how wonderfully beautiful she made it. Fruit trees of all descriptions grew there; lemons and oranges, citrons and bananas, peaches and apricots, flourished—everything nice you can think of. She did not forget the flowers, either. Magnolias and acacias, poinsettias and jasmines, and every Southern flower you could name, bloomed beautifully. Lovely birds flocked there, and rested in the cool trees, singing to the flowers and filling the garden with delicious music. The Princess and her companions worked hard and faithfully, and the garden became the most charming spot imaginable. All the world talked about it and came to visit it.
 
115
“The country about was very attractive. Great snow-capped mountains rose abruptly from the sea, and white clouds, nestling down to touch them, hovered like angels’ wings above the rich valleys as though in protection. The clouds were seldom dark, for it rarely rained there, and the sunny blue skies seemed to smile perpetually.
 
“Now, the powerful Sun King had many sons, but one of them was especially handsome, and, better than that, he was the soul of honor and truth. He was called Prince Corus. He often came to Earth to visit the Ocean King’s family, for one of the sons was his favorite companion. The two young men were inseparable; they were devoted to each other, and fond of the same sports.
 
116
“When the Ocean King’s son, Prince Fronto, grew to manhood, his father gave him control of a smaller kingdom, a beautiful sea that washed the shores of Princess Selene’s famous gardens. This sea was reached by sailing through the blue waters of the gulf; shining and beautiful, it stretched for miles and miles through a magnificent country. It was on the shores of this sea that the two Princes spent most of their time, and it was here one day that they came across the lovely Selene and her maidens. Both the young men felt at once that they had never before seen anything so perfectly charming as the Princess, and they lost no time in learning to know her.
 
“She treated them with the greatest courtesy; and in a little while the three had become firm friends, and spent many happy hours together. The young men did not attempt to disguise from themselves the fact that they both loved this royal maiden; but the Sun Prince, in a spirit of nobleness, offered to leave his friend Fronto alone to win her hand, though in losing her he would become the most miserable man in the world. Up to this point, however, Fronto apparently showed a similar generosity of spirit, and putting his arm about his friend, urged him to remain, saying: ‘We will abide by the decision of the Princess. Let her choose between us, and whoever wins her love shall marry her, letting the other suitor swear friendship to them both.’
 
117
“‘So be it,’ replied the generous Prince Corus, for it seemed a fair proposition. ‘Much as I care for her, I will promise to give her to you gladly if she loves you; for, after her, I love you best in the world.’
 
“They clasped hands, and swore a solemn oath to abide by this agreement.
 
“Selene was in no hurry to choose, and seemed equally fond of them both. Never by word or sign did she show which she preferred. Always together, the three wandered through her gardens, plucking the fruit or listening to the songs of the birds. The two young men came every day to see her, and strove to invent plans for her amusement. Corus brought his father’s golden chariot, and often the three took a mad race across the sky. But the maiden was never afraid. She loved the spirited, prancing steeds, and their flashing golden harness; and the wild ride brought a glorious color to her cheeks. She thrilled with pleasure when the rushing wind blew back her flowing hair, and her eyes caught a deeper blue from the heavens, and sparkled and danced with delight, so that Corus and Fronto thought her more bewitching than ever.
 
118
“Again, Fronto would invite them to see his father’s famous sea-gardens, and they would ride across the sapphire-blue waves until they reached a rocky island. Here they would rest, to watch the seals climbing over the rocks. They amused themselves long, laughing at the awkward antics of the fat baby seals, who would tumble with loud splashes into the water, and then frolic about noisily. The Princess loved these famous sea-gardens; they were very different from her own, but wonderfully interesting, nevertheless. Every sea-plant grew there. Huge trees of seaweed were plainly seen, and curious water-flowers in abundance. Magnificent shells bordered the walks, shells dyed with the mystic colors of the sea,—blue and green and opalescent,—others pink-lined, like the sky at sunset, or brilliant red, like the coral reef. Charming gold-fishes swam about these water-gardens, and their scales, glowing like fire, sent out great sparks of light. Mermaids floated through, with long golden hair and starry blue eyes, singing low to the music of their lutes. Thus many days and weeks were passed, and each hour the young Princes grew more madly in love with the charming Princess Selene.
 
119
“At last a day came when they could no longer resist asking her to choose between them. But when they stood before her, and waited for her answer in silence, the fun-loving little Princess suddenly became grave, and said most seriously: ‘Why make me choose at all? Your friendship may be broken if I do, and I could not bear that.’
 
“‘You need not fear for us, sweet Princess,’ said Fronto, ‘for we have sworn an oath, and will not break it.’
 
“Selene gazed earnestly at them, not understanding this reply. Then Corus, pale as death, nodded assent, saying: ‘It is even true, fair Selene; as you cannot choose but one, we both have promised allegiance to the one you favor. We love you too sincerely to do otherwise.’
 
“A brilliant color dyed Selene’s cheek as she heard these words, and turning to Prince Fronto she began softly: ‘So be it. We have passed many happy hours together, and in my heart, Prince Fronto, I have a deep affection for you.’
 
120
“Hearing her speak thus, Prince Corus grew very white, and turned away to hide his pain, whispering to himself: ‘They shall not see how I suffer. I have sworn an oath, and I will keep it.’
 
“But whatever the Princess continued to say to the Ocean Prince, it seemed not to please him. Finally she said to him, while she turned and beckoned to his friend: ‘Therefore, kind brother of th............