Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-04-06


pie, about the walls of which number of
people were already gathering, as in Lon
don crowd of theater gocrs collect at the
pit doors on the occasion of some great
theatrical event long before the time ad-
vertised for their opening. Some of these
people caught sight of him, and drawing
as near to the gates of the palace as they
dared howled curses and shook their fists
in his direction.
THAT is foretaste of what we must
expect tonight, suppose, said Leonard
to Francisco who had followed him as
they reiterated across the courtyard I'VE
arc in fix now, and no mistake I do not
SO much cure for my own sake, but it
breaks my heart to think of Juanna. What
will be the end of it, wonders"
For me- Outram. the end will be
death, of that am sure. Well, have long
expected it, and 1 am ready to die. What
your fate will be cannot say; but, as to
Juanna, comfort yourself, for many weeks
have had a presentiment that she will es-
cape safely"
In that case / am ready enough to
60, answered Leonard Life is as dear
to me as to other men, but l tell you,
Francisco, that will pay mine gladly to-
night as the price of her deiiverance.' .
II know it, Outram. We are both of
one mind there, and perhaps before many
hours are over we shall be called upon to
practice what we preach.
But now they had reached the throne
! room, where Otter who for the last "a
hours had been quite sober was squatted
on the floor at the foot of his throne, "a
picture of respondent misery, while Jul
anna walked swiftly up and down the long
room lost in reflection.
ANY news, Leonardo" she said as they
came in.
None, except that there are great prep
arations going on yonder, and he nodded
toward the temple; also mob is howl
/ ing at the gates.
'Ohr' groancd Otter, addressing Juan
ma. Cannot you, who are named Shep-
herdess of the heavens, propnesy to these
people that the weather will change and
SO save us from the snake?'
II can prophecy" she answered, "but
it will not change tonight, nor, l think,
tomorrow. However, will try"
Then came a silence. Nobody seemed
to have anything to say. 1t was broken
by the entrance of Olfan, whose proud face
showed the trouble of his mind
What passes, Olfan?" asked Juanna.
80 queen" he answered sadly, there
is great trouble at hand. The people rave
for the blood of you, their gods, o queen.
Nam told you that yc are summoned this
night to take counsel with the people.
Alas, | must tell you otherwisel This
| night ye will be put upon your trial before
the council. "
That we guessed, Olfan, and if the
verdict goes against US, what then?'
Alas, that | must say it! Then,
queen, you will be hurled, all Of you, into
the pool Of the snake to share the bed of
| the snake. "
Cannot you protect us, Olfan?'
II cannot o queen, except with my
own life. The soldiers are under my COM
| nhand indeed, but in this matter they will
not obey me, for the priests have whispered
in their cars and if the sun does not shine
they, too, must starve next winter. Par
don me, queen, but if you are GODS how is
it that you need help from me, who am
but a man? Cannot the gods then protect
themselves and be avenged upon their en-
emics.'
Juanna locked despairingly at Leonard,
who sat by her side pulling at his beard,
as was his fashion when perplexcd.
Il think that you had better tell him.
he said in English. 'Our situation is des-
perate In a few hours he will probably
know us to be impostors. Indeed he
guesses it already. 1t is better that ne
should learn the truth from our own lips.
The man is honest, and, moreover, owes
his life to Us, though it is true that were
it not for us he would never have been in
danger of his life. Now we must trust
him and take our chance. If we mako
mistake, 1t does not greatly matter--ne
have made so many already"
Juanna bowed her head and thought
awhile. Then she lifted it and spoke.
"Olfan, she said, ARE we alone? That
which have to say must be overheard by
| none"
1--WE are alone, queen, he answered,
| CHANGING round, "but these walls have
ears.
| "Olfan, draw near.
| He obeyed, and leaning forward she
spoke to him almost in whisper, while
| the others clustered round to hear her
| voice.
You must call me queen no more" she
said in a voice broken with humiliation. II
am no goddess. 1 am>but mortal wom-
an, and this man." and she pointed TO
Otter, lis no god. He is only dwarf. "
She paused, watching the effect of her
words. An expression of astonishment
swept across the kings face, but IL was
her boldncss rather than the purport Of
| her speech that caused it. Then he smiled.
Perhaps have guessed as much, " he
answered, land yet ] must still call you
| by that name, seeing that you are the
queen of all women, for, say, whore is
| there another so lovely, SO brave or SO
great? Here, at least, there are none,
h. tNs.f,, ;t1 nt,lx-
courtesy that would have become any
| European gentleman.
Now it was Leonard's turn to look as
tonished There was nothing in the kings
words to which he could take objection,
and yet he did not like their tone. 1t was
| too full of admiration, and, moreover, it
seemed to him that Olfan was not in the
| least disappointed to discover as fact that
Juanna was only woman, supposition
that was fully established by his next
| speech.
Il am glad to learn from your lips, 0
| queen, that you are no goddess, but NOR
tai lady, seeing that goddesses are far
away, and we men must worship them
/ from afar, whereas women we may love, -
and again he bowed.
| My wordl'' said Leonard to himself.
''This king is going to set himself up as
my rival. l almost wish put things on a
more satisfactory footing, but of course it
is absurd. Poor Juannar'
As for Juanna herself, she started and
blushcd Here was a new trouble, but
however disagreeable it might prove to be
now was no time to show displeasure.
Listen, Olfan, she said. This is not
an hour for pretty speeches that mean
nothing, for it seems that before the light
dawns again l may well be dead and far
beyond all love and worship. This is our
tale: We came TO your land to seek adven-
lures, and also to win those red stones
that you name the blood of AGA, which
among the white people are much priced
rs ornaments for their women, and that
| is why l, who am a woman, urged the
deliverer here to undertake this journey,
and it is because of my folly that now we
all stand in danger of our lives"
Your pardon, queen, said Olfan
bluntly, but l would ask you one ques-
ton before you would tell me the end of
your tale What is this white man to
your"
Now Juanna was In cleft stick. If she
said that Leonard was nothing to her, it
might possibly be better for him, though
it was doubtful whether Olfan would be-
lieve her. If, on the other hand, she said
that he was her husband, it might be bet
ter for her and protect her from the adj
vances of this dignified savage, but against
this course her pride revolted. Had she
not always Indignantly repudiated the
validity of that hateful marriage and,