The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-11-06
preston Of my face. We vnee here On

was minded 10 snow IhOrcnice Rrnnu
manner that would leave her nothing
to cavii at. After all that had been
gone through and endured, I did not
intend n great scheme to he shattered
by letting my agony and pain show
themselves In either a shaking hand or
u twitching cheek. When II came to
the point, ! told myself. I would lay
the living body OF my love in the hol-
low beneath the stone as calmly and
with Ms litt outward emotion as
though I had been mere priest ear
rying out the burial OF some dead
stranger. And she. on her part, would
not, I knew. betray our secret. With
her. too, IL was truly: Before all. At
lantis."
think II spared pang to find that
there was to be no mockcry or Hip
| pancy in what went forward. All
was solemn and impressive: and,
though certain grn nndeur and somber.
ness which bit deep into my hast was
lost to the vulgar crowd, I fancy that
the outward shape of the double sac.
rifcc they witnessed that day would
not he forgotten by any OF them. al
though the inner meaning OF II all was
completely hidden from their minds.
| When II suited her fancy, none could he
more strict on the ritual Of a cert nOny
| than this many-moodcd empress, and
II appeared that ON this occasion she
had given command that all things
were To be carried out with the rigid
eNactness and pomp Of the older man
| nrr.
So she was borne up by her Eu-
ropeans on the scarlet awning. and I
handed her TO the ground. She seat
ed herself on the cushions and beck
oned me To her side. cniwining her
fingers with mine. as has always been
the custom with rulers of Atlantis and
their consorts. And there before MS
as we sat a body of soldicry marched
up, and, opening out, showed Nais in
their midst. She had collar of metal
round her neck, with chains depen ding
from 1t firmly held by brace of
guards. so that she could not run in
upon the spears Of the escort, and thus
get quick and easy death. which Is
often the custom OF those condemned
Ia the more lingering punishments.
hut IL was pleasant to see that she
still wore her clothing. Rnimcnt,
whether of fabric or skin. has II value,
and custom has always given the gar
mcnts Of the condemned to the soldiers
guarding them So, as Nais was not
stripped. could not but see that some
one had given money to the guards rs
a recompense. and In this | thought
saw the hand of Ylga. and felt u grati-
ltudc towards her.
The soldiers brought her forward to
the edge of the pavilion's shade. and
she was hidden PROSTATE herself be-
fore the empress: and this she wisely
did, and so avoided rough handling
and force. Her face was pale, but
showed neither fear nor defiance, and
her eyes were calm and natural. She
was RENE mbering what was due To At
lantis, and was thrilled with love and
pride ms I watched her.
But outwardiy, !, too, was impa ssiye
rs man of stone; and though knew
that Phorenice's eye was on my face
there was never anything on 1t from
first to last that | would not have had
her see.
"Nais." said the empress, "you have
eaten from my platter when you were
fnn-girl, and drank from my cup. and
what was yours gave you. You should
have had more gratitude. you should
have had knowledge also that the arm
of the empress was long and her hand
consummately heavy. But II seems
that you have neither of these things,
And. moreover, you have tried To take
certain matter that the empress has
set apart for herself. You were Of
fcred pardon on terms. and you re-
irctcd II. You were foolish. But II
Is day now when / am inclined to
clemency. Presently, seated on tina,
carved throne of granite which he has
built me yonder, shall take my Lord
Deucalion to husband. Give me plain
word that you are sorry, girl, and
name a man whom you would choose
and I will remember the brightness oi
, the occasion; you shall be pardonet
| and wed before we rise from thes,
cushions"
II will not we'd" she said, quietly.
think for the last time, Nails, o
what Is the other choice. You will b'
taken. warm aud quick ard beautifn
. as YOU stand there this minute, and lair
: in the hollow place that Is made he
. meath the throne-stone. Deucalion
that Is to be my husband, will lay yot
, In that awful bed, ms symbol that sc
shall perish all Phorenice's enemies
and then he will release the rams and
| i,,t. NIL "a.