“The magician’s palace was truly magnificent, for it was built all of solid black ebony. It was very gloomy and terrible to look upon, but also very costly, Oswald could see. The great arches of ebony that upheld the balcony were inlaid with glittering gold and diamonds, so that the palace sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight. But a black palace was an unusual sight, and one felt at a glance that it was the abode of a magician. The floor of the balcony was inlaid with a border of splendid white pearls, and precious rugs lay on the floor. Costly jewels were scattered carelessly about in quantities, for the magician felt if he lost anything his magic could easily restore it. Enticing fruit gardens grew down to the borders of the lake, and handsome trees spread out their cool green branches. The place was so lovely it seemed a shame that such a wicked old magician should own it.
“Toward evening, when the sun was low, the magician came out and angrily called for the Princess. It was plain to see he was in a very bad humor. He had heard of the golden shuttle being restored to the White Lady of the Mist, and he was fearful of her power against him. He did not know, however, that Oswald was the knight who had been successful in restoring it, for he had given such strict instructions to his imps of the forest, that he felt sure Oswald had not escaped death.
“Prince Oswald’s heart beat very fast as he saw the palace door open. When the lovely Princess, pale but proud and noble in her bearing, stepped forth, he could hardly restrain himself from falling at her feet. He was bewitched by her beauty, for she was far lovelier than he had supposed. But he dared not venture forth without the signal from the White Lady of the Mist. Presently, as he waited impatiently, he saw creeping down the mountain-side the thin white veil. It rolled out in clouds, for the White Lady realized she had a great work to do. The old magician, however, did not see the mist, because his face was turned the other way. He could not understand why his imps did not hurry across the lake with Prince Oswald, as they had done with the other knights. They should suffer for this delay on the morrow, he growled.
“But Prince Oswald understood the delay. The little imps had not caught him; and he also knew by the thickly forming mist it was time to act. Grasping his shining sword firmly in his right hand, in one swift bound he reached the Princess’s side. He caught her hand in his, and she clung to him in pure joy and delight. At that moment the magician turned and saw them standing together. With a loud cry of rage he sprang toward them, but it was too late.
“At this minute great clouds of mist rolled over them and completely covered their forms. Everything was shrouded in ghostly white, and volumes of vapor continued to roll down the mountain-sides. Faster and faster came the heavy veil, completely blinding the magician. But Oswald picked the Princess lightly up in his arms, and holding his gleaming ruby sword before him as a lantern, ran easily through the fog. He reached the lake and found it as clear as crystal, and saw no sign of the mist except behind them. Evening Star shone brightly in the heavens to light them across the dimpling waters, and she had placed a lovely canoe in the green bushes for them. All this time the White Lady of the Mist was hanging her curtains behind the lovers, while her golden shuttle was weaving them so thick, that even the magician’s sharp eyes could not penetrate their folds.
“Prince Oswald and his Princess now saw clearly, and Evening Star directed their footsteps. When far from the wicked magician, and safe, they sat down to rest. Oswald told the Princess how much he loved her, and begged her to marry him; she in gentle tones thanked him for what he had done, and gladly consented.
“Just then Evening Star approached, and begged them to rest in her beautiful country. Gorgeous palaces awaited them, and a splendid people wanted to be governed, she said. ‘And,’ she added, ‘if you consent, each night I will come and visit you, for I love the Sunset Princess as a sister, and my greatest happiness will be to watch yours.’
“Then the Sunset Princess, who also loved Evening Star, begged Oswald to consent. They lived ever afterward in that charming country on the banks of a great and lovely lake. The waters of the lake were so clear that the pebbles many feet below glistened like fire-opals. There they lived in great happiness; and as the years went by Oswald loved his beautiful wife more, for she was charming to see.
“Each evening, as the sun went down, Oswald and his lovely family (for there were many little children) met on the shores of the lake, and the Princess always wore her bright flower dress. Even now, if you will but watch for their coming, you will see them yourself. First comes the Princess, proud and graceful as on that first evening when Oswald discovered her. Prince Oswald is close beside, and the children troop down in brilliant flower dresses like their mother’s. The red sandstone cliffs on the high banks of the lake are the first to catch the glow of the children’s garments. Suddenly the dull sandstone reflects a brilliant light, gleaming out like burning fire. The glowing cliffs tinge with magic colors the soft fleecy clouds above, and one by one these colors deepen. Purple, gray, pink, gold, and crimson lights blend together, in glorious confusion. The calm surface of the water reflects the brightly colored heavens, and gradually the whole western world is aflame.
“Thus each evening, in this glorious field of color, Oswald and his family watch the sky, and await the nightly visit of the splendid Evening Star.”