Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-04
~ EuZABETH MILLER

final revel
His palace was aglow. from its tremen-
dous portals to the airy hypostyle upon
Its roof and from far-reaching wing to
wing, with countless colored lights. From
every architrave and cornice depended gar
lands and draperies. and tinted banners
form pillars supporting the porch were fes
TONED with lotus flowers, and the ap-
proaches were strewn with palm leaves.
When the portals opened broad shaft
attendants was seen bowling; gusts of reedy
music and babble and the smell Of willing
flowers and Punish incense swept into
the outer air.
Within. the great feast began and pro-
ceeded to completeness. The tables were
removed and the stage of the revel was far
advanced The levels of scented vapor
from the aromatic torches unduiated mid
way between the ceiling and the floor and
beited the frescoes upon the paneled walls.
Far up the vaulted hall. the Pharaoh and
his queen, In royal isolation, were growing
weary.
The company, which was large, had fallen
into easy attitudes; an exciting game of
drafts. or story-teller, or Il beauty, at
tracing groups here and there over the
hall.
Before one table, whereon the scattered
pawns of game yet lay, Rameses lounged
In deep chair, a semi-recumbent figure in
marble and obsidian. Beside him, where
she had seated herself at his command, was
Masanath.
There was Seti at Ta-user's side but 10
was not at the feast. She mourned for
kenkenes. Ta-meri was there, the bride Of
week to Nechutes, who lowered about her
without eye or ear for any other of the
company. Siptah, Menes, Har-hat, all Of
the group save Hotep and Kenkenes, were
present and near enough to be of the crown
princes party, yet scattered sufficiently to
talk among themselves.
The game of drafts, prolonged from one
to many, had ended disastrously for the
yrlnc 1lny off nrfC
to win. Masanath, against whom he had
played, finally thrust the pawns away and
refused TO play further with him.
Thou doSt make sport for the Hathors,
myself and indulge their caprice no more"
Hast thou not heard that we may COM
pei the gods?' he asked. Perhaps do
but indulge them, of truth. But let me
set mine own will against fate and there
shall be no more losing for me-
1T Is a precaricus game Perchance there
is as strong a will as thine, compelling the
Hethors contrarily to thine own desires.
What, then, o Rameses?"
by the gambling god. 10th, 1 shall try
itE he exclaimed. THE opportunity is
before me even now.
He took her hand.
Il catch thy meaning Beloved of Isis!
Thou didst challenge me long ago, and
long ago 1 took it up. Thus far have we
fenced behind shields Down with the bull
Tide now, and bare the hearth
Thou dcst forget thyself!' she retorted.
wrenching her hand from him. THE eyes
of thy guests are upon thee"
He laughed. 1.-The princes doings be-
come the fashion. Let me be seen and
there shall be no woman's hand unpossess-
ed in this chamber
Thou shalt set No fashion by me. Neither
shalt thou rend the Hathors between thy
wishes and mine. Furthermore, II thou doSt
forget thy princely dignity thy power will
not prevent me if I would remind thee OF
thy lapse
fn yIyQk n a
thought in the prince. He did not respond
Immediately. He leaned his elbows on his
knees, and clasping his hands before him.
thought a while. In the silence the talk
of the others was audible.
THE festivities of Memphis have lost two,
since they lost one" Menes mused
"Give us thy meaning" Nechutes asked
Hast seen Hotep in Memphian revels
since Kenkenes died?'' the captain asked,
by way of answer.
Nechutes shook his head. The gods
have dealt heavily with Mentu," he said
after a little silence. Not even the BODY
of his son returned to him for burial"
Har-hat, who had been perched on the
arm of Tameris chair, broke In.
"Mayhap the young man is not DEAD ne
IAN the Memphian nome hath been
searched, my lord" Menes protested.
AYE, but these Eighty geniuses are not
to be measured by doings of other men.
Perhaps he hath gone to teach the singing
girls at Abydos or Tape
"Ah. my lordv protested Ta-mert. hor-
rfied.
Har-hat shrugged his shoulders and laps
ed into silence. Rameses leaned toward
Masanath again. The expression on his
face during the talk and the tone he chose
now showed that he had not heard, nor
was even conscious of the silence that had
fallen His words were low-spoken, put
each of his companions heard.
I'm warfare 1t is common for a foe to
hedge his adversary about so that fight ne
must. Thou art a woman and cunning, and
lest thou Join myself to another and elude
me ere the battle is on, l would better treat
thee to a strategy. 1 shall wed thee first
and WOO thee afterward.'
Ta-user leaned across the table, and
sweeping the pawns away with her arms
said with smile:
"Ouarreling over game OF drafts! Whlcn
is in distress-in need of allies?"
Come thou and be my mercenary, Ia
user" Masanath said with impulsive graf
itude. "Rameses hath lost and demands
restitution beyond reason.
Har-hat had risen the instant the words
had passed the princes lips and left the
group. He did not wish to let his face be
seen. A dash of dark color grew in the
heirs paid cheeks. partly because he knew
he had been heard partly because he was
angry at the princess interruption.
ITO be continued tomorrow