The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1902-02-14
q 3 The . 3
Lost Continent
By CUTCLIFFE HYNE.
Pub. by Harper Bros. Copyright 1901 by Cutcfe Hyns
CHAPTER x.-CoNT1NUED.
Pub. by Harper Bros. Copyright 1901 by Cutclie Hyn


that you made most valiant attempt
to return, Nais, and for an excuse you
told that it was your love for some
man in the city here which drew you.
Come now, we are willing to overlook
much of your faults if you will give US
a reasonable chance. Point me out
your man, and if he is proper fellow
1 will see that he weds you honestly.
Yes, will do more for you, Nais, since
this day brings me to a husband. See
ing that all jour estate is confscate
as a penalty for your late rebellion, 1
will charge myself with your dowry
and give it back to you. So come,
name me the man"
The girl looked at her with sullen
brow. 81 spoke a lie" she said; there
Is no man."
tried myself to give her advocacy.
"The lady doubtless spoke what came
10 her lips. When woman is in the
grip of a rude soldiery, any excuse
which can save her for the moment
must serve. For myself, 1 should
think it like enough that she would
confess to having come back to her
old allegiance, if she were asked"
'SiF," said the empress, keep your
peace. Any interest you may show in
this matter will go far to offend me.
You have spoken of Nais in your mar
rative before; and although your
tongue was shrewd and you did not
say much, I am woman and l could
read between the lines. Now regard,
my rebel, I have no wish to be unduly
hard upon you, though once you were
my fan-girl, and SO your running away
to these ill-ken1pt malcontents, who
beat their heads against my city walls,
is all the more naughty. But you
must meet me halfway. You must
give an excuse for a leniency. Point
me out the man you would wed, and
be shall be your husband tomorrow"
There is no man."
"Then name me one at random.
Why, my pretty Nais, not ten months
ago there were score who would
have leaped at the chance of having
you for a wife. Drop your coyness,
girl, and name me one of those. I
warrant you that I will be your am
bassadress and will put the matter
TO him with such delicacy that he will
not make you blush by refusal"
The prisoner moistened her lips. 81
am a maiden, and I have a maiden's
modesty. will die as you choose, but
I will not do this .indecency."
"WeIl, I am maiden, too, and
though because ] am empress also,
questions of state have to stand be-
fore questions of my private modesty,
and can have sympathy for yours
although in truth I did not obtrude
unduly when you were my fan-girl,
Nais. No, come to think of it, you
liked tender glance and a pretty
phrase as well as any when you were
fan-girl. You have grown wild and
shy among these savage rebels, but
Will not punish you for that.
"Let me cali your favorites to men,
orv now. There was Tarca, of course;
hut Tarca had a difference with that
addressed father of yours, and wears
a leprosy on Aalf his face instead of
that beard he used to trim so finely.
And then there is Tatho; but Tatho
Is away over seas. Eron. too. you liked
once: but he lost an arm in fighting
t'other day, and I would not marry
YOU to less than a whole man. All,
by my face! have it, the dainty ex-
uuisite. Rota! He is the husband!
How we'll l remember the way he used
to dress in a Change of garb each day
10 catch your proud fancy, girl. Well,
YOU shall have Rota. He shall lead you
20 wife before this hour tomorrow"
Again the prisoner moiStened her
lips. 81 will not have ROta, and spare
me the others. know why you mock
me, Phorenice."
"Then there are three of us here
who share one knowledge" She turned
her eyes upon me. Gods! who ever
aaw the like of Phorenice's eyes, and
who ever saw them lit with such a
IRE a 5 burned within them then? my
lord, you are marrying me for policy;
! am marrying you for policy, and for
another reason which has grown
stronger of late. and which you may
guess at. Do You wish still to carry
out The match?"
looked once at Nais, and then ]
looked steadily back at Phorenice.
The command given by the mouth of
Eaemon srom the high council Of the
Sacred Mountain had 70 outweigh all
else. and I answered that such was mJ
6sere