Warren sheaf., 1905-12-28


dreams: Well for me that do. not
love thee, for thine instant death would
rob me of the long revenge that ]
would liefer have! Share thy crown
with me! When Ta-user hath done with
thee thou shalt have no crown to share!
Turned from Siptah for thee! How
thou wilt marvel when thou learnest
that l never turned from Siptah nor
wooed thee with single glance but for
Siptah's sake. Go on! Sleep well!
Have no regrets, for thy doom was
spoken long before this nights naughty
work. Rather do l thank thee for thy
scorn. It robs me Of qualms and adds
instead dark delight in that which l
shall do!''
She turned toward Masanath, walk
ing swiftly The fan bearers daugh-
ter. stricken with panic, fled, nor
paused until she had passed far be-
yond the chamber of Ta-user.
Covering in friendly niche, she
waited until the princess had disap-
peared, and then only after a long
time was she sufficiently reassured to
reach her own apartments.
1t was the next days noon before
Masanath saw her father. Then he
came with light step as she sat in her
room. Approaching from behind her.
he took her face between his hands
and, fitting it back, kissed her.
Il give thee joy, Masanath. Thou
hast melted the iron prince"
She rose and faced him. Did Ram
eses tell thee loved him?" she de-
manded, faint hope stirring in her
heart. a0~~ss 'rse.-s<
"Nay, far from it. He told me, and
laughed as he said it, that If thy soft
heart had any passion for him it was
hate.'' - -. ,.....>. :. -. .. :: pa E.: e.. Z :
"Said he that? Nay, now, my ia
ther, thou seest cannot marry him. %
There was relief in her voice, and she
drew near to the fan bearer and invit-
ed his arms. He sat down instead and,
drawing up a stool with his foot, bade
her sit at his feet
Listen! 1t is q Whim of the Hathors
to conceal ones own feelings from him
at times that he may accomplish his
own undoing, being blind. Much is at
stake on thy love for the prince.
Awake, Masanath! Thou dost love
him; thou wilt wed him-and it shall
go we'll with-all others whom thou
loyest.". ~>.tfs
'Wouldst use me for price, my ia
-wouldst barter thy daughter for
something's she asked in tone low
with apprehension. ..
"Ah, what inelegant word!' he child.
'"Thou dost miscall my purpose. Look,
my daughter. Have l not served thee
with hand and heart all thy life, ask
ing nothing, sacrificing much? I, for
one, have a debt against thee, and
thou canst pay it in thy marriage to
Rameses. Dost thou not love me
enough to make me secure with the
prince and so secure in mine adviser
ship to the king?'
''Shall hold thee in thy position at
the expense Of Egypt's peace if not at
the expense of the dynasty 2" Masanath
cried.
c''By the heaven bearing shoulders of
Buto," he responded laughingly, thou
dost put high estimate on the results
Of thine acts! Add thereto If not at
the expense Of the Pantheon and thou
shalt have all heaven and earth at thy
mercy"
"Nay, my father, hear me! Thou
knowest Ta-user"-
"Oh. aye. know Ta-user-all Egypt
knows her. Her fangs are drawn,
daughter"
Hear me. father. Last night after
Rameses- heater he left me
he met Ta-user, and the talk between
them was of such nature that she
knelt to him, and he flung her Of
They were between me and mine
apartments, and I could not but know
Of it. When he left her she made such
threats that 1t were treason for me ia
give them voice again. What she ask.
cd Of him I surmise. It could not
have been other than prayer to him
to fulfill what was expected Of him
concerning her. Thou knowest the
breach between the Pharaoh and his
brother, Amon-meses, is but feebly
bridged till Rameses shall heal the
wound In marriage with Ta-user. His
failure, added to the vehement con
tempt he displayed for her last night
shall make that breach ten times az
deep and ever receding, SO there car
be no healing Of IT.
Har-hat flung his head back and
laughed heartily.
''Thou timid child, frightened with
the rawlings of a discarded wanton
She and her following Of churls can dc
nothing against the son Of Ptah. The
moles in the metropolis are richer than
they. None of loyal Egypt will es
pouse their cause. and without money
how shall they get them mercenaries
Nay, why vex thee with matters Of
state? All that is required of thee II
thy heart for Rameses, no more.
Judge not for Rameses, pra!
thee,'' she insisted, coming near him
"Knowing that love him not, per