The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-02-13
q D The o o
Lost Continent
By CUTCLIFFE HYNE.
psA y H.yua Srs. cyynsA. isc. sy c,sliss lys.,
CHAPTER V.-CoNrrruEp.

Il
added to your tally, Phorenice. Not
half your army could have hindered
my entrance had I wished to come,
and let me tell you that I am here
to bring you your last warning. The
gods have shown you much favor.
They gave you merit by which you
could rise above your fellows, till at
last only the throne stood above you.
II was seen good by those on the Sa-
cred Mountain to let you have this last
ambition. and sit on this throne that
has so long and honorably been filled
by the ancient kings Of Atlantis"
The empress sat back on the divan
smiling. 81 seemed to get these things
as I chose, and in spite Of your friends
teeth. may owe to you, old man, a
small parcel OF thanks, though that l
offered to repay; but for my lords
the priests, their permission was OF
small enough value when II came. I
would have you remember that ] was
az firm on the throne OF Atlantis as
this pyramid stands upon its base
when your worn-out priests came up
to give their tottering benediction."
The old man waved aside her inter
ruption. "IIear me out" he said. 81
am here with no trivial message.
There Is nothing paltry about the
threat ! can throw at you. Phorenice.
With your fire tubes, your handling
Of troops and your other fendish clev-
erness. you may not be easy to over
throw by mere human means, though,
forsooth. these poor rebels who yap
against your city walls have contrived
to hold ;heir ground for long enough
now. II may be that you are becom-
ing enervated; I do not know. IL may
be that you are too wrapped up in
your feastings. your dressings, your
pomps and your debsucheries, to find
leisure to turn to the art of war. II
may he that the mans spirit has gone
out from your arm and brain. and you
are n woman once more-weak and
pleasure-loving; again do not know.
"But this must happen: You must
undo the evil you have done; you must
give bread TO the people who are starv-
ing. even II you take II from these
gluttons in this hall; you must restore
Atlantis to the state in which II was
intrusted to you; or else you must be
removed. II cannot he permitted tina,
the country should sink back into the
lawlcssness and barbarism from
which it's ancient kings have digged It,
You hear. Phorenice. Now give me
true answer"
"Speak him fair. Oh, for the sake
Of your fortune, speak him fair!
.ame Ylga's voice in n hurried whis
per from behind us. But the empires,
took no notice OF II. She leaned for
ward on the cushions of the divan with
a knit brow.
"Do you dare to threaten me, ole
man, knowing what ] am?'
81 know your origin" he said, grave
ly, "as we'll as you know II yourself
As for my daring, that is small mat
ter. He need be but timid man wht
dares to say words that the high god,
put on his lips"
~ shall rule this kingdom as
choose. I shall brook interference,
from no creature on this earth, or be
meath 1t, or in the sky above. The god
have chosen me TO be their regent II
Atlantis. and they do not depose m,
through such creatures as you. G'
nway. old man, and play the fanatic II
another court. II Is well that | hay,
an ancient kindliness for you, or yo,
would not leave this place unharmed.'
"Now. indeed, you are lost" hear'
Yiga murmur from behind. and tn,
o.d man In front of us did not move
step. Instead, he lifted up the symbo
Of Our Lord the Sun. and launched hi
curse. "Your blasphemy gives the re
ply I asked for. Hear me now max
declaration Of war on behalf of thos
against whom you have thrown insult.
You shall be overthrown and sent L
the neither gods. At whatever cost tn
land shall be purged of you and your,
and all the evil that has been done I
IL while you have su.lied the throne u
its ancient kings. You will not ament
neither will you yield iamely. Yo
vaunt that you sit ms firm on you
: throne as this pyramid reposes on II
base. See how little you know of wha
the future carries. I say to you tina
while you are yet empress. you sha
see this royal pyramid which you hav
polluted with your debaucheries tor
tier from tier, and stone from ston,
aud scattered as feathers spread b,
fore the wind"
"You may wreck the pyramid" sal
Phorenice, contemptuously. 81 m,
: self have some knowledge OF the cart
: forces, ns have shown this nigh
, hut though you crumblc every ston
above us now and around into grit an
dust, shall still be empress. VIII,
force can you crazy priests brin
, against me that I cannot throw bac
, and destroy?"
: "We have u weapon that was forge
D in no mortal smithy." shrilied the o.
. man. "whercof the key Is now lodge
: In the Ark Of the Mysteries. But thi
Q weapon can be used only as a last r
0 source. The nature Of Il even Is to
n awful to be told In words. Our 9th,
;. powers will be launched against yS
\ first, and for this poor country's sal
0 I pray that they may cause you
v vince. Yet rest assured, Phorenic
that we shall not step aside once v
I lave put a hand 70 this matter. v
= shall carry II through. even thoul
Z the cost be a universal burning al
destruction. For know this. daug
q ter OF the swineherd, II is agre,
d among the most high gods that y,
n are too full Of sin to continue u
n shocked"
I. "speak him fairly" Ylga urged fro
a