“To me?” asked the Princess in astonishment.
“Yes,” answered the messenger; “look closely at the sea beach and tell me what you see.”
“Why, great shining jewels seem strewn over the yellow sands,” said the Princess, perfectly amazed; and in turn each of the Moon people saw the same.
“Well,” continued the messenger, turning to the Princess, “when her Imperial Majesty of the Moon consented to your coming to visit the Earth on your bridal trip, she ordered many wedding presents for you, and in finishing the loveliest that she gave you, it came about that that beach was formed. But I will begin the story of the Jewelled Beach.
“The Moon was shining through a turquoise-blue sky. Now and then a baby cloud passed before her face, but it was so white and airy that it did not even hide the dazzling lights of her silver palace. One could see them perfectly well, shining through the handsome windows.
“Serenely beautiful the Moon Queen moved through her star-studded pathway. She was calm and majestic. As she swung around the celestial circle that night she leaned down lower to watch the golden gleam of a small star shining far in the distance. For many reasons that particular star had occupied her mind of late, and that evening she seemed even more intent upon it than ever. How beautiful it was! Of all the millions of glittering points embroidered on the sky, that small one stood out the brightest. In bold relief its dancing lights sped out over the heavens in friendly twinkle toward the Moon.
“The Moon Queen smiled to herself as she watched, and then out from the jewelled windows of her home suddenly leaped a brilliant crystal light to meet the star rays. From that moment her Imperial Majesty made up her mind on a subject she had long thought of. Turning to one of her handmaidens who stood near, she bade her summon the master mechanic of her empire; when this had been done, and the man stood before her, she asked, in liquid tones, ‘How many workmen do I employ in the silver mountains?’
“‘Ah, your Majesty,’ was the reply, ‘you have so many thousands employed there, that it is almost impossible to say.’
“‘Good,’ replied the Queen thoughtfully, ‘I have sore need of thousands now. Bid them all meet me to-morrow. Call them together at the foot-hills of the mountains. Let no man be missing; from the greatest artist in your shops to the humblest workman, let not a sprite dare to forget my command!’
“The master mechanic promised obedience, and bowing low left her presence.