Barbour County index., 1902-02-05

Everywhere the air was full of per-
fumes, and everywhere the passages
turned and twisted and doubled
through the solid stone of the pyra-
mid, so that strangers might have
spent hou-s-yes, or days-ip search
before they came to the chamber
they desired. There was a fine cum
ningness about those forgotten build
ers who sat up this royal pyramid
They had no mind that kings should
fall by the hand of vulgar assassins
who might come in suddenly from
outside. And it is said also that the
king of the time, to make doubly
sure, killed all that had built the pyr-
amid, or seen even the lay of it's inner
stones.
But the fa1-girl led the way with
the lamp swinging in her hand, as
one accust toned to the mazes. Here
she doubled, there she turned, and
here she stopped in the middle of a
blank wall to push a stone, which
swung to let us pass. And once she
pressed at the corner of f1agstone
on the floor, which reared up at the
thrust of her foot, and showed us a
stair steep and narrow. That we de-
scended, coming to the foot OF an in
clined way which led us upward
again; and so by degrees we came
unto the chamber which had been
given for my use.
There is raiment in all these chests
which stand by the walls" said the
girl, ''and jewels and gauds in that
bronze Golfer. They are Phorenice's
first presents, she bid me say, and but
a small earnest of what is to come.
My Lord Deucalion can drop his sim
plicity now, and fig himself out in
fnery to suit the fashion,
Girl" I said, sharply, 'be more
decorous with your tongue, and spare
me such small advice
eff my Lord Deucalion thinks this a
rudeness, he can give word to Phore-
nice, and I shall be whipped. If he
asks it, l can be stripped and
scourged before him. The empress
will do much for Deucalion Just
now
Girl" 1 said, "you are nearer to
that whipping than you think for
Il have got a name," she retorted,
looking at me sullenly from under
her black brows. "They call me
Ylga. You might have heard that as
we rode here on the mammoth had
you not been so wrapped u in Phore-
nlce.'
1 gazed at her curiously. "You have
never seen me before" I said, ''and
the first words you utter are those
that might we'll bring troubl, to your
self. There is some object in all
this"
She went and pushed to the massive
stone that swung in the doorway of
the chamber. Ahen she put he lit
tie Jeweled fingers on my garment
and drew me carefully away from the
air shaft into the farther corner. 81
am the daughter of Zaemon," she
said, whom you knew"
"You bring me some message from
him?"
How could I? He lives in the
priests dwellings, on the mountain
you did obeisance to. I have not put
eyes on him these two years. But
when 1 saw you first step out from
that red pavilion they had pitched at
the harbor SIDE, II felt pity for
you, Deucalion. 1 remembered you
were my fathers, Zaemon's, frierd,
and l knew what Phorenice had in
store. She has been plotting it all
these two months"
Il cannot hear words against the
empress"
And yet"
"What?"
She stamped her sandal upon the
stone of the floor. "You must be
very blind man, Deucalion, or a very
daring one. But I shall not interfere
further; at least, not now. [ shall
watch, and if at any time you seem
to want friend, I will try and serve
you"
Il thank you for your friendship"
You seem to take it lightly
enough. Why, sir, even now do not
believe you know my power, any more
than you guess my motive. You may
be first man in this kingdom, but let
me tell you, I rank as second lady.
And remember, women stand high in
Atlantis now. Believe me, nv friend
ship is commodity that has been
sought with frequence and industry"
"And, as l say, am grateful for it.
You seem to think little enough of
my gratitude, Ylga; but, credit me. l
never have bestowed it on woman
before, and SO you should treasure it
for its rarity.''