The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-28

ment into her hand, read quickly and
return it to me-"
She snatched the roll from him, and
as her eyes devoured the lines her face
fell in and her lips grew pale with
anguish.
BE brave" murmured Metem. for his
| heart was stirred to pity. 1T is best
for all that he should CO."
For him, perchance, 1t is best" she
answered, but what for me? o, Me-
TEN, what of me?"
Lady" he said sadly, q have no
words TO soothe your sorrow save that
! the gods have willed it thus"
What gods?" she asked fiercely.
Not those they bid me worship" She
shuddered and then went on, "Metem,
be pitiful o, if ever you have loved a
woman, or have been loved of one, for
her sake be pidful. 1 must see him for
the last time in farewell, and you can
help me to it.
81? II the name of Baal, how?'
when do you leave the city. Me-
ter,?" -
AT moonriseraon the night after
next"
Then. an hour before moonrise,
will be il the temple, whittier l can
come by the secret way that leads
thither from this palace, and he can
enter there. for the little gate shall be
left unbarred. Pray him to meet me
then for the last time"
Lady" he urged, this is but mad
Eess."
Madness or no, it is my will, and be-
ware how you thwart me in it, Metem,
for at least 1 am the Lady Baaltis,
and have power, and 1 swear to you
that L 1 see him not. you shall never
leave this city living"
"A shrewd argument and to the
ii r-ga
pared myself rock tomb at Tyre, and
do not wish that my craven sarco-
phagus of best Egyptian alabaster
should be wasted"
las assured it will be if you do not
obey me in this matter. Metem. Re
member. an hour before moonrise, at
the foot of the pillar of FL in the inner
court of the temple"
AS she spoke Metem started, for MS
quick ears had caught a sound.
Lady" he said, in a loud voice, as
he led the way to the front of the
throne, you are a hard bargainer.
Were there many such, a poor trader
could not make a living. All, here is
one who knows the value of such price
less work" and he pointed to Mesa,
who. with folded arms and downcast
eyes. stood within five PAGES of the
throne, nearer than which she was not
allowed to come. Lady" he went o.,
addressing her. you will have heard
the price l asked; say, now, is it too
much?"
Il have heard nothing, sir. l stand
here waiting the return of my holy
mistress, that / may remind her that
the hour of sunset prayer is at hand.
Would that / had so fair a mentor.
exclaimed Metem, for then | should
lose less time" But to himself he said:
She has heard something. though l
think but little. Well, judge between
us. Is so golden shekels too much for
these images that have been blessed
and sprinkled with the blood of chill
dren by the high priest of Baal at
Sidoa?"
Mesa lifted her cold eyes and looked
at them. Il think it too MUCH" she
said. but it is for the Lady Baaltis To
judge: who am / that l should open
my lips in the presence of the Lady
Baaltis?''
Il have appealed to the oracle, and it
has spoken against me-" said Metem,
wringing his hands in affected dismay.
well. | abide the result. Lady. you
offered me so shekels, and for 90 you
shall take them, for the honor of the
holy gods. though. in truth. 1 lose 10
shekels by the bargain. Give your or
der to the treasurer and he will pay me
tomorrow. And now, farewell" and,
DOWlilS iii MS lOIeHedQ loUCleQ NiiG
ground, he kissed the hem of her robe.
ELISA bent her head in acknowledge
ment of the salute, and as he rose her
eyes met his. In them was written
warning he could not fail to under
stand, and, although she did not speak,
her lips seemed to shape the word, Re
member"
Ten minutes later Metem stood in
the chamber of Aziel
Had she the letter, and what did she
say to it?" asked the prince. springing
up almost as ne passed the threshold.
In the name of all the gods of all
the nations. l pray you not to speak
so loud" answered Metem, when he
had closed the door and looked suspic-
iously around him. "Oh, If ever l find
myself in Tyre again, / vow a gift and
no mean one. to each of them that has
n temple there, and they are many, for
no single god is strong enough to bring
me safe out OF this trouble. Have / seen
the Lady ELISA? o, yes, have seen
her. and what think you that this in
nocent lamb. this undefiled dove OF
yours. threatens me with now? DEATH
Nothing less than death, il l viii not
carry out her foolish wishes. More, she
means the threat, and has the strength
TO fulfill it. for the Lady Baaltis is
given power over the lives of men, or,
at the least. if she takes life, none can
question the authority of the goddess.
Unless l DO her will ] am dead mar,
ard that is the reward I get for mixing
UP in your mad love affairs, I"