davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1905-11-26
b H-EI[)EB TIAGGARD

then you will think her sweet and
sound and fair. and spend some few
months JOLLY enough Man. don't be
fool, the cup that is thrust into vour
hands looks goodIy Drink. drink deep
You'll never guess the liquors. bad-tifl
tomorrow-though IT be mixed with a
husbands poisoned blood and again
Rassen screamed in his unholy mirth.
; To all of these bitter insults, venomed
with the sting of truth. Atene listened
without a word. Then she turned to
us and bowed.
My guests" she said. Il pray you
pardon me fer all I cannot help You
have strayed to corrupt and evil land.
and there stands its crown and flower.
Khan Rassen, your doom is written. and
do not hasten It. because once for a
little. while we were near 20 each other.
though you have been naught TO me for
this many a year save snake that
haunts my house Were 1t otherwise,
the next cup you drank should stil your
madness. and that vile tongue of yours
which gives it's venom voice. My
uncle, come TO me. Your hand, for
grow weak with shame and woe
The old Shaman hobbIed forward, but
when he came face TO face with the
Khan he stopped and looked him up and
down with his dim eyes. Then he said:
''Rassen, I saw you born, the son of
an evil woman, and your father none
knew but I. The flame f1ared that night
upon the fire mountain, and the stars
hid their faces, for none OF them would
OWN you, no. not even those of the most
evil influence. I saw you wed and rise
drunken from your marriage feast.
your arm about a wanton's neck.
have seen you rule. wasting the land
for your cruel pleasure. turning the
fertile fields into great parks for your
game, leaving those who titled them
to starve upon the road or drown them
selves in bitches for very misery. And
soon, soon l shall see you die in pain
and blood, and then the chain win fall
from the neck of this noble lady whom
you revile, and another more worthy
shalI take your place and rear up chill
dren to ill your throne, and the land
ghaIi have rest again
Now 1 listened to these words-and
none who did not hear them can guess
the fearful bitterness with which they
The Washington times., 1905-11-26
A7De heezt0. -0ze-56 L7T 0zAz5 y00>To WecY5 .

him. and never did I admire that pas
sionate woman's boldness more. who ad-
mIred little else about her save cher
beauty for her face showed neither
anger nor fear. but contempt only. And
yet she had some cause TO be afraid. as
she we'll knew
What do YOU here. Rassen?" she
asked. creeping on me with your naked
feet? Get you back to yotT drink and
the ladies OF your eourtI'
But he still laughed on. a hSena laugh.
What have you heard" she said,
that makes you so merry?''
What have I heard?" Rassen CUR
gled out between his screams Of hideous
glee. "Oh. no! have heard the f<hania,
the last OF the true blood. the first
in the land. the proud princess who viii
not let her robes be soiled by those OF
the ladies of the court, and my wife.
my wife. who asked me to marry her
mark that. you strangers-because I was
her cousin and rival ruler. and the
richest lord in all the land. and thereby
she thought she would increase her
power-I have heard her offer herself
to a nan-eIess wanderer with a great
yellow beard and 1 have heard him who
hates and would escape from herT-
here he screamed with laughter" refuse
her IN such a fashion as / would n0a
refuse the lowest woman in the palace.
4 have heard. aiso-but that I al
ways knew-that I am mad; for, stranE-
ers. / was made mad by hate-phIlter
which that old rat'-and he pointe1 to
Simbri- gave me in my drink-yes at
my marriage feast. II worked well FOR
truly there is no one whom I hate more
than the Khania Atene. Why. I cannot
bear her touch. it makes me sick. I
loathe 10 he in the same room with her:
she taints the air; there is a smell OF
soTceTies about her.
1T seems that IL takes you thus. also.
yellow beard? Well. If so. ask the old
rat for a love drink; he can mix it. and
The Washington times., 1905-11-26

into which no foreigner must pry. ] say
To YOU Yet again that while 1 I'VE you
set no foot upon that mountain. Know.
also. Leo Nincey. I nave pared my neart
to you. and I have been told in answer
that this long quest OF yours Is not -or
me. as I was sure in my folly, but. as l
think for some demon wearing the
shape OF woman. whom YOU viii never
find Now / make no prayer 10 you; II
1t not fitting, but you have learned too
much
Therefore. consider well tonight. ana
before next shutdown answer. HAVING
offered, I 90 not go back. and tonor-
row you shall tell me whether you VIII
take me when the time comes, as come
it must, and rule this land and be great
and happy in my love. or whether, you
and your familiar together. you will
die. Choose. then. between the ven
geance OF Atene ana ner love. since i
am not minded 30 be Knocked in my own
land as wanton who sought a stranger
and was-refused.
Slowly, slowly. in an intense whisper,
she spoke the words. that fell one by
one from her lips like drops of blood
from a death wound, and there followed
silence Never shall / forget the scene.
There the old wizard watched US through
his horny eyes. that blinked ike those
of some night bird. There stood the I'M
perial woman in her royal robes, with
Icy rage written on her face and ven
geance in her glance. There, facing her.
was the great form OF Leo. quiet, alert
determined holding back his doubts ana
fears with the iron hand OF will Ana
there to the right was 1, noting ali
things and wondering how long ]. the
familiar, who had earned Atene's hate,
would be left alive upon the eartn.
Thus we stood, watching each oJner.
till suddenly I noted that the name or
the lamp above US fiickered and Ieit a
draught strike upon my face linen L
looked around. and became aware or an
other presence. For yonder IN the snao-
ow was the tail form OF q man. See. It
shambled forward silently. and I saw
that its feet were naked. Now it reach
ed the ring OF the lamplight. and burst
into a savage laugh.
It was the Khan.
Atene, his wife, looked up and saw
The Washington times., 1905-11-26
CHAPTER K.
In the Shaman's Chamber.

One night Simbri asked US &c dine
with him in his own apartments in the
highest tower of the palace-had we but
known II. for US, fateful place, in
deed. for here the last act Of the mighty
drama was destined to be fulfilled. So
We went, glad enough Of any change.
When we had eaten, Leo grew very
thoughtful. then said, suddenly:
Friend Simbri. l wish to ask q
favor OF you-that you VIII beg the
kharia 10 let Us go our ways"
Instantly the Shaman's cunning old
face became Ike a mask of ivory.
Surely, you had better ask your
favors OF the lady herself. lord; I do
not think that any in reason VIII be
refused 10 you" he replied.
Let Us stop fencing said Leo, and
consider the facts. II has seemed to
me that the Khania Atene is not happy
with her husband"
Your eyes are very keen. lord, and
who shall say that they have deceived
you?"
1T has seemed. further" went on
Leo. reddening. that she has been so
good as 10 look on me wfth-some un-
deserved regard"
"Ah. perhaps you guessed that in
the gatehouse yonder, II you have not
forgotten what most men would re-
member"
Il remember certain things, simbri.
that have to 90 with her ard you"
The Shaman only stroked his beard.
and Caid: Proceed
There is little 10 add. SimbrI. exceot
that : am not minded TO bring scandal
on the name OF the first lady in your
land"
-Nobly said lord. nobIy said; though
here they DO not trouble much about
such things But how if the matter
could be ged without scandal? II.
tor instance, the Khania chose to take
another husband the whole land would
rejoice. for she IS the last OF her royal
race"
How can she take another husband
when she has one Hving?"
True: indeed. that is question
which have considered. but the answer
10 IL is/that men die. IT is the common
lot, and the Khan has been drinking
very heavily Of late,
You mean that men can be muir
dered, - said Leo. angrily. Well, ] VIII
have nothing to do with such crime.
DO you understand me7"
As the words passed his lips heard Z
rustic. Pnd turned my head. Behind US
were curtains beyond which the Shanan
slept, kept his Instruments OF diviuA-
ton. and worked out mis- horoscopes.
Vow they had been drawn. and between
The Washington times., 1905-11-26

When I was a little maid and slept one
day amid the flowers By the rivers brim,
It came first TO me-ask my uncle here
II this be not so, though II is true that
your face was younger then. After
ward again and again I saw IL in my
sleep. and learned TO know that you
were mine. for the magic OF my heart
taught me this.
Then passed the long years while /
felt that you were drawing near TO me.
slowly, very slowly. but ever drawing
nearer vending onward and outward
through the peoples of the world; across
the hills. across the plains, across the
sands. across the SHOWS. on to my side.
At length came the end, for one night.
not three moons ago. while this wise
man. my uncle, and | sat together here
studying the lore that he has taught me
and striving 10 wiring it's secrets from
the past, a vision came to me.
Look you. l was lost In a charmed
sleep which loses the spirit from the
body and gives 1t strength TO stray afar
and TO see those things that have been
and that are yet to be. Then ! saw you
and your companion clinging to point
OF broken ice, over the river of the gulf,
I do not lie; Il is written here upon the
scroll Yes. it was you, the man of my
dreams, and no other, and we knew the
place and hurried thither and waited by
the water thinking that perhaps be-
meath IL you lay dead.
Then. while we waited, 10, two tiny
figures appeared far above upon the
lev tongue that no man may climb, and.
oh you know the rest Spellbound we
stood and saw you slip and hang. saw
you sever the thin cord and rush
downward: yes, and saw that brave
man. Holly, leap headiong after you.
But mins wae the hand that drew
you from the torrent. where otherwise
you must have droVned you, the love
OF the long past and Of today. sy. and
Of all time Yes. you ana nc other. Leo
The Washington times., 1905-11-26

Now Atenes face went ashen. and her
cheeks sank in.
who told you?" she whispered. Was
1t you. magician?" and she turned upon
her uncle like a snake about to strike.
'Oh! 81 so, be sure that 1 shall learn it.
and though we are of one blood and
have loved each other. | viii pay you
back in agony
"Atene. Atene." Simbri broke in. hold
ing up his clawlike hands. you know
well it was not !"
Then it was you, you ape-faced wan
derer, you messenger of the evil gods
OH why did ! not kill you at the first?
Well that fault can be remedied."
Lady l said blandly. "sm ], also,
! magician?
.Ay." she answered. Il think that you
are. and that you have mistress who
dwels In fire"
Then. Khanla," ! said. such serv-
ants and such mistresses are III to med
die with Say what answer has the
Hesea sent to your report of our COM
ing To this land?'
Listen. broke in Leo. before she
could reply. Il go 10 ask a certain
question of the oracle on yonder noun
tain peak With your will or without IT,
tell you that l go. and afterward you
can settle which is the stronger-the
Khania OF Kaloon or the Hesea of the
House of Fire"
Atrne listened, and for while stood
silent. perhaps because she had no an
swer Then she said, with a little
laugh:
us that your will? Well. / think that
yonder are none whom you would wish
to wed There is fire ana ID spare. but
no lovely. shameless spirit haunts it TO
drive men mad win evil longings; aTSI
as though at some secret thought a
spasm Of pain crossed her face and
caught her breath. Then she went on
in the Eane cold voice;
Wanderers. this land has Its secrets.
The Washington times., 1905-11-26

Vincey. II was this spirit that foresaw
your danger and this hand which deIiv-
cred you from death, and-and would
YOU refuse them now-when !, the
Khania Of Kaloon, proffer them TO
you?"
So she spoke and leaned upon the
! table, looking up into his face with
lips that trembled and with appealing
eyes.
Lady" said Leo, you saved me,
and again ] thank YOU, though per
hans Il would have been better if YOU
had let me drown. But forgive me
the question. If all this tale be true.
why did you marry another MANI"
Now she shrauk back as though a
knife had pricked her.
oh! blame me not" she moaned
lit was but policy which bound me 10
this mailman, whom I ever loathed.
They urged me TO it. yes. even you,
Simbri. my uncle. and for that deed
accursed be your head-urged me-say-
ing that it was necessary to end the war
between Rassens faction and my own.
That I was the last of the true race,
moreover, which must be carried on;
saying also that my dreams and my re-
memberings were but sick phantasies.
So, alas, alas. / yielded, thinking to
make my people great"
And yourself the greatest OF them,
if all I hear is true" commented Leo,
bluntly. for he was determined to end
this thing. We'll, I do not blame you,
Khania. although now you tell me that
I must cut knot you tied by taking
tie life Of this husband of your own
choice. for so forsooth il is decreed by
fate, that fate which you have shaped.
IS, must do what you will not do,
and kill him. Also your tale OF the
decree Of the heavens and OF that
vision which led you to the preelpice
to save US is false. Lady, you met
me by the river because the mighty
Hesea. the spirit or the mountain, so
commanded you
How know you that?" Atene said.
springing up and facing him, while the
jaw of old slmbri dropped and the eye
lids blinked over his glazed eyes.
IN the same way that ! know much
else. Lady. II would have been better If
you had spoken all the truth
The Washington times., 1905-11-26
AVR0(HqA TIE FYlSTIIER oTTQFTP"
MllSJIHX HISTORY S0)II
b T1.RTT)FR FIA(fGARTO

/ them. in her royal array, stood the
Khania. still as statue
Who was IT that spoke of crime p
she asked, in cold voice. Was il you,
my Lord I.eo?"
Rising from his chair. he faced her.
and said
Lady. I am glad that YOU have heard
my words, even if they should vex
YOU
why should il vex me TO learn that
there is one honest man in this court
who wiz have naught to do with muir
der? Nay. / honor you for those words.
Know. also, that no such foul thoughts
have come near to me. Yet. Leo Vim
cey, that which is written-is written. -
Doubtless, Khania; but what is writ
temp
Tell nim. Shaman.
Now Simbri passed beyond the cur
tain, ard returned thence with roll
from which he read: THE heavens have
declared BY their signs infallible that
before the next new moon the Khan
REssen viii lie dead at the hands OF the
stranger lord who came to this country
from across the mountains.
Then the heavens have declared a
lie said Leo. cOntemptuously.
THAT is as you will" answered Atene
but so It must befall, not by my hand
/ or those Of my servants, but by yours,
/ And them"
Why by mine? Why not by Hol-
! ly's? Yet, II so, then doubtless l shall
suffer the punishment of my crime at
the hands of his mourning widow" he
replied exasperated-
You are pleased to mock me. Leo
/ Vincey. well knowing what a husband
1 this man is 10 me-"
Now I felt that the crisis had come,
and so did Leo. for he looked her in the
/ face, and said:
Speak on. lady, say all you wish; per-
! haps it will be better for US both"
II obey you. lord. OF the beginning
of this fate I know nothing. but I read
/ from the first page that is open TO me.
It has to do with this present life OF
mine Learn. Leo Vincey. that from my
childhood onward you have haunted me.
On, when first I saw you yonder by the
river, your face was not strange to me.
/ for / knew It'll knew II well in dreams.
The Washington times., 1905-11-26

o. yours. bat cannot. because is gates
are locked. and we are prisoners. guard
ed night and day. Hear me. then. You
have The power 10 set US free and TO be
rid o. US"
The Khan looked at him, cunninEly.
And IL 1 set you free, whittier would
you go2 You could tumble down yon-
der gorge. but only the birds can climb
It's heights"
ITO the fire mountains, where we hsvs
business"
Rassen stared at him.
rs il ] who am mad. or are you, who
wish 10 visit the FIRE mountain? Zee
that is nothing 10 me- save that do noe
believe you But il so YOU might return
again and bring others with you. Per-
chance, having its lady. you wish this
land also by right OF conquest. It has
foes up yonder"
II IS not so" answered Leo, earnest
" As one man to another. I tell you
II IS not so. I ask no smile OF your wife
and no acre. OF your soil. Be wise and
help US TO be gone. ana live on undfs-
tur0ed IN such fashion as may please
you"
The Khan stood stiu a while. swing
ing his long arms vacantly, till some
thing seemed 10 come into his mind that
moved him to nerrfment, for he burst
into one Of his hideous laughs.
II am thinking" he said, what Afena
would say if she woke up to find her
sweet bird flown. She would search for
you and be angry with me-
1T seems that she cannot be anxrier
than she is 1 answered. Give Us 4
nights start, and let her search never
so closely. she shall not ind US"
'sYou forget, wanderer. that she and
her old rat have arts. Those who knew
where 10 meet you might know whers
10 seek you And yet-and yet it would
be rare to see her rage. oh, yellow
beard, where are you. yellow beard7' -
he went on mimickinE his wife's voice
" Come back and let me melt your ice,
yellow beard.
Again he laughed; then said, sad
denly:
When can you be reaeyZ'
In half an hour" 1 answered.
Good Go TO your chambers and pre-.
pare. I VIII join you there presently"
So we went.
The Washington times., 1905-11-26

souls. The burden of desire to continue
our search and to meet with its reward
which we were sure that we should
pluck amid the SHOWS OF yonder peak. II
we could but come there; and the bur-
den of approaching catastrophe at the
hands OF the Khania Atene- She had
made no love to Leo since that night
If the gateway. and, indeed, even If she
had wished TO, this would have been
difficult. since l took care that he was
never left for one hour alone. No
duCnna could have chung TO a Spanish
princess more closely than did 10 Leo.
Yet ] could see well that her passion
was no whit abated; that it grew day
by day, indeed. as the fire sweIls in the
heart OF q volcano, and that soon il
must break loose and spread its ruin
round The omen Of 1t vas TO be read
in her words, her gestures. and her
agic eyes.
The Washington times., 1905-11-26
sYNoPsIs on PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

Copy right 1905. in Great Britain and the
UnItcd states by H. Rider Haggard)
SYNOPSIS or PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.
lee Vinces and Horace Holly make their
way hack 10 England after their terrible
adventures in ISor. bat 'the spirit Of unrest
IS In chem. and Leo especially burns 70 see
his lost love once more-for. be il remem
bercd when Ayesha persisted In the flames
Of the Pillar Of life she called 70 her lover
that she wound come again and would once
more be beautiful Finally. tortured by I'M
certainty. Leo is en- the verge Of taking his
life. ~hen a vision comes 10 him in which
he sels Aytsha ana IS guided by Der 70
Where she may be found The place seems
- ee ~ Asia, aIid the aistlng1ish ming feature
II fTe-cro eVued mountain peak The two
nlcn go iR search Of this. and after sixteen
years wandering come % iaIuaseFy IN
q bet where they hud an ancient Jana
n7saned hou-en. Nho processes TO have seen,
long wears before woman VINO answers
.ihe- description OF she and who seemed
To pos csS some Of her power lie tells the
teso travellers that he believes this mysterious
woman may BE- found on the farther side
T-hifher fhcv tourney ana after frfghtful
nardships reach the Iand Of haloon, where
they are Hospitality received by Atene. ne
IIhania- or queen. They 3eazn that on RE
fre-crOWueG mountain which they are In
search or and which is not far sway. Is
What is known as the College OF Hes tisisl,
and eVer-burninK FIRE. tended by Inys-
ferrous iriestts5. VINO - etsNs'Ss Nel,tN-
Inhabitants OF Ealoon and the people OF the
uielHtz4n nave long ueeIi on uAtH1el1At
Terms but tnere is now soTt % ai.ll- t
tfuce bofh sides agreeing not 20 invade each
Others territory under penalty OF war. BY
SOME means tse yelled pIiestess mas learned
Of the ceuins of the tWo strangers across
the mountain. and has sent word TO that
eject 10 the Nhanla- tqgether WIZ the de-
Fnan1 that they be sent 10 her But Afene
falls Ca lOEe with Leo and resolves TO wed
him. even though this viii nseessfcate her
doing away with her present husband 50
size sends the yelled priestess word that the
strangers have arrived but that they are
both very old and physically worn that
they VIII De unable 20 obey her behest e
come AZ cnce to her domains Holly soon
discovers that the beautiful Atene IS II
iaVe with leo and becomes cOgnizant OF the
Fefled priestess' commands and the khanta 3
intention TO disregard them through over
hearing a conversation between Atene and
her great-uncle. Sirnbri.
The Washington times., 1905-11-26

why not, khania -
sBecau use. my Lord I.eo-tnat IS your
name. is it nots-such is my will, ana
while ! rule here my viii is law. come.
Jet rs turn horneward-"
Thot night we did not eat in the great
hall, but in the room which adJoined our
bedchambers. We were not left alone.
however, for the Khania and her yssssssesse5,
Tie shaman, vino always attended ner.
Joined our meal When We greeted them
wonderingly. she said briefly thar It was
arranged thus because she refused TO
expose US TO more insults. she aoueo
that a festival had begun which would
last for week and that she did not
wish us 70 sec how vile were the ways
OF her people.
That evening and many others when
followed tive never dined in the cen
trial hall again-passed pleasantly
though for the khania made Leo ten
her or England where ne was born.
aud Of he lands that ne had visited.
their peoples and customs. / spoke also
OF the history OF Alexander. whose Cen
eral ftRssen. her rar-on rorefather, con-
quered the country OF KaIoon. and OF
3he land of Egypt. whence the latter
came, and so IT went on tin midnight.
while Atene. listened 10 as greedily, her
eyes fixed always on Leo's race.
Many such sights did W. spend t.l.
in tie palace OF the city of saloon,
where. ln fact we wee close prisoners.
But. OH. the days hung heavy on our
hands If we went into the courtyard
or reception rooms OF the palace. tns
lords and their followers gathered round
Us and pestered Us with questions. for,
being very idle they were also very
curious
Also the women. some Of whom were
fair enough. began 10 talk TO us on this
pretext or on thar. and did their best 10
make loVe 90 Leo. for. ia contrast with
their slim, delicate looking men. they
found thls deep-chested. yellow haired
stranger 10 their taste Indeed. they
troubled him much with gifts Of fieg-
ers and messages sent BY servants or
soldiers, making designations with him.
which of course he did nos keep.
II We went out into the streets. mat
tiers were as bad, ION then the people
ceased from their business. such as II
was. aad followed as about. staring al
Us til We took refuge again ia the
palace gardens.
There remained. therefore. only our
rides Ia the country with the Khania.
but after three or four OF them. these
came 20 an end owing To the jealousy
OF the Khan. who vowed that II We went
out together any more he would follow
with the death hounds So we must ride
alone. If az all. In the center o. q large
guard o. soldiers sent 10 see that we did
not attempt 10 escape, and accompanied
very often BY mob Of peasants. who
with threats and entreates demanded
that we should give hack the rain
which they said Ne had taken from
them For now tl1e great drought had
begun ia earnest
Thus IL came about that Al length our
onis c~r.irrc w@r r-afir- Tfefra~a e.
The Washington times., 1905-11-26

fish in the river. where the water was
so clear and low that we could catch
nothing, watching the while the fire
mountain. that doomed in the distance
mysterious and unreachable, and vainly
racking our brains for plans to escape
thither. or at least to communicate with
it's priestess, Of whom we could learn
no more
FOR two great burdens lay upon our
The Washington times., 1905-11-26

continued on Pase L. this ssGsi0a-s