The Land of the Changing Sun

ated voice, and when they had arisen he inspected

easily; you have a jovial co

his smile and at

any other way," he said; "it d

s our object to assist nature in all things. The efforts of your people amount to nothing because they are not carried far enough. Your scientists are dreaming idiots. They are continually g

would be off this instant," was the

ughed till he shook. "Well said," h

d to bring his companion into favor, if possible) and I

am pleased with you, sir. The majority of people who are brought here are so frightened that they grow morbid

, but he did not change countenance in the slightest, for t

e Englishman, "of course, it could not be done. No one, outside of

sed even Johnston. "I have travelled in all countries under the sun-the sun I was born under-and got so bored with the

ng to cast a glance at the silent Johnston, who stood with

rich masses on her bare shoulders; her eyes were large, deep and brown, and her skin was exquisitely fine in texture and color; her dress was artistic a

g, as he heard her light step and turned toward her; "she shall

e glowed with inspiration. Far above in the nooks and crannies of the vast dome, with its divergent corridors and arcades, the faint echoes of her voice seemed to reply to her during the pauses in her song. Then she ceased singing and to the far-away and yet distinct accompaniment of some stringed instrument in the orchestra, she began to dance. Holding her instrument in a graceful fashion a

ug panting, her beautiful bosom, beneath its filmy covering of lace, gently rising and falling. Then, asking her father's consent with a mute glance, she ran forward impulsively,

ne of our customs for a dancer or singer to favor some one of her spectators in that way. My da

he tactful Englishman, pretending not to

looking as a rule?" asked th

ver imagined suc

y is to-morrow believed to be poison; to-day you try to make blood to give strength, and half a century ago you believed in taking it from the weakest of your patients. With all this fuss over health, you will think nothing of allowing the son of a man who died with a loathsome hereditary disease to marry a woman whose family has never had a taint of bloo

the size of your country,"

ed. "But this, the City of Moron, is the capital; our provinces, farming lands, smalle

and led the two captives into a large apartment adjoining the throne-room. Here they found six men in blue u

rprised to see reflected, in the deeply concave glass, the entire city in miniature; its streets, parks, public buildings, and moving populace. And what seemed to be the most remarkabl

ention of these officers is immediately called to it. A flying machine is sent out and the offender is brought to the police station; but trouble of any nature rarely

r room, the roof of which was of white glass

of Alpha can be seen," said the king with a touch of

rests, streams, lakes and farm-houses flashed upon the mirror. The king laughed at their surprise and touched another button. As he did so the scene shifted gradually; the lan

ingdom," said the king; "in a

asked Thorndyke, forge

ong to go into the details. The views, however, are reflected to this point from various observatories throughout the land. Such a

green fields lie beside ripening ones and

nature, but it is in the province of man's intellect to improve on nature. But I must leav

ston, as the king disappeared behind a curt

the most bewitching creature that ever breathed. Did you notice her eyes and form? Great heavens! was th

can despondently; "we'll never get away

We were awfully bored with life before we came; for my part I'd as soon end mine up here as any

he talks like a Chicago real estate agent who wants to sell

right; that is the first joke you have got off since we came he

" exclaimed Johnston, grasping his comp

; but isn't it clear? It seems to me that I could see to the

ho doe

tion; but we must keep civil tongues in our heads when we ar

owds of men and women stared at them curiously. They had paused to inspect the statue of a mas

id simply; "it is

and looked at Thorn

tter; "don't hesi

in a whisper, not intended for the ears of the officer, "I don't believe that we sha

ush came in his face and his eyes flashed

is any foul play I shall make some one suffer for it. You can depen