Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-01-09

Phorcnice. Nor anybody. We are
done with rulers
The press had brought US closer and
closer to the man who stood on the war
engine. We saw him TO be old, with
white hair that tumblcd ON his shout
dcrs, and a long white beard. I'M
trimmed and uncurled. Save for n wisp
of rag about the loins. his body was un-
clothed and glistened in the wet.
But in his nand he held that which
marked his caste. With it he pointed
his sentences. and al times he whirlcd
it about, bathing his wet. naked body
in a halo of Light. | was a wand whose
tip burned with an unconsuming fire,
.hich glowcd and twinkled and blazcd
like some star lent down by the gods
from their own place in the high
heaven. 1t was the symbol OF our
Lord nc Sun, a crcdcntiaI no one could
forge. and one on which no civilized
man would cast a doubt.
Indeed. the ragged frantic crew did
not question for one moment that he
was member Of the Clan of Priests.
the clan which from time out of num-
/ boring has given rulers for the land,
and even in their loudest clamors they
freely acknowledged his powers.
/ "Gou may kill us with your magic. if
/ you choose" they screamed at him.
But stubbornly they refused to come
bacl to their old allegiance. 1--WE have
suffered too many things these later
years." they cried. W. are done with
rulers now for always"
Bat for myself l saw the old man
Will a different emotion. Here was
TacWon that was father to Nais. Iac-
mon hat had seen me yesterday seat
ed on the diyan at Phorcnice's elbow
and who to-day could denounce me a 5
Deuc lion If so he chose. These rebels
lad expended a navy in their wish to
XIII me four days earlier, and il they
knew of my nearnesS, even though
NaiS We're my advocate, her cold rea-
soning would have little chance of an
audience now. The high gods who
Keep he tether of our lives hide their
secrets well, but did not think it i'm
piouS TO be sure that mine was very
near The cutting then.
The beautiful woman saw this too
She even went so far as to Irvine her
fingers in mine and press them a. 4
farewell, and pressed hers in return
for | was sorry enough not to see her
more. Still, ! could not help letting
my thoughts travel with a grim gloat-
ing over the fine mound of dead
hof
skilled rebels pulled me down. And it
was inevitable this should be so. For
Of all the emotions that can ferment
in the human heart. the Joy Of strife is
keeuest. and none but an old fighter,
face TO face with what must necessari-
~ he his final battle, can tell how deep
his lust is embroidered into the very
foundations of his being.
But for the time Zaemon did not see
me, being too much wrapped in his
oitcry, and so | was free to listen o
the burning words which he sprcad
around him. and 10 determine their ef-
feet on the hearers.
When he had finished came the turn
ing point Of my life. ~ first. like,
take il, everyone else in that crowd.
ma gined that he old man. having
flushed his mission, was making a
"Hv 10 return TO the place from which
he had come. But he held steadily 10
ono direction, and as that was towards
myself, it naturally came to my mind
thai, having dealt with greater things
he would now settle with the less;
or. in palmer words, that hay.
ing put his policy before the
sWarming people. he would now
smite down the man he had seen
but yesterday seated as PhOrenice' 5
minister. Well, | should lose that tina'
fight | had promised myself, and that
mound Of slain for my funeral bed. II
wa clear that Xaemon was the mouth
piece of the Priests clan, duly APP
pointed: and | also was a priest. II
the word had been given Oh the Sacred
Mount ain to those who sal before the
Ark of the Mysteries that Atlantis
would prosper more with Deucalior
sent TO the gods. | was ready 10 bow
to the sentence with submis sivenes IS
That | had regret for this mode OF
,utting off. ! viii not deny. No mar
who had practiced the game of arm,
could abandon the promise of such 8
gorgeous final battle without qualn
Of longing,
But | had been trained enough II
show none of these emotions on my
face, and when the old man came NJ
to me, | stood my ground and gave
him the salutation prescribed be
tween our ranks, which he returned
10 me with circumstance and &C
curacy. The crowd fell back. be
ing driven away by the ineffa bl,
force of the symbol, leaving Ii
alone in the middle of ring. Ever
Nais. though she was priest
daughter. was ignorant Of the mys
tcres. and | could not withstand il
force. And so We two men stood Their
alone together. with the glow of III
symbol bathing us and Lighting NJ
The sea OF raycnous faces that watched
The people were quick to put thei
natural explanation ON the scene. =!
spy" they began TO roar out. "A spy
Zaemon salutes him as a PRIEST"
Zaemon faced round on them wit,
queer look on his grim old face
"Aye," he said. this is priest. II
give YOU his name you might have fun
Their interest. This is the Lord Del
I cal on"