Warren sheaf., 1905-10-26

/
Where is Kenkenes?" Menes de-
manded. Hath he forsworn us?'
II saw him today" Nechutes ven
tured, without raising his eyes from
the game, when we were fowling on
the Nile below the city. He was alone
pulling downstream, just this side of
Aasaarah."
Hotep frowned and gave over any
hope that Kenkenes would join the
merrymaking that night. But at that
moment Ta-meri, who sat facing the
entrance to the chamber, poised the
dice box in air and drew In a long
breath. The guests followed her eyes.
Kenkenes stood in the doorway, the
| curtain thrust aside and ,bove him.
His voluminous festal robes were deep
" edged with gold, but his arms, bare
to the shoulder, and his strong brown
neck were without their usual trap
pings of jewels. The omission seemed
intentional as If the young man had
meant to contrast the ornament Of
young strength and grace with the gilt
ter and magnihccnce of the other
guests. He had succeeded well.
Perhaps to most Of those present the
young mans presence was not unusual,
but Hotep was not blind to manifest
alteration in his manner. There was
cynicism In the corners of his mouth
and hint Of hurt or temper was evi-
dent in the tension Of his nostril and
the brilliance Of his eyes. Hotep had
no need of seers and astrologers, for
his perception served him in all tangi-
BILE things. He knew something un-
toward had set Kenkenes to thinking
about himself, and, guessing where
the young artist had gone that evening,
he surmised further how he had been
received
And, though he was sorry in his
heart for his friends unhappiness, he
confessed his admiration for Rachel.
Later cried Hotep, rising
'Thy pardon, Hotep," Kenkenes re-
Piled, advancing into the chamber. II
had an errand of much Importance to
Masaarah, and it was fruitless. It
shall trouble me no more''
Hotep lifted his brows as though he
exclaimed to himself and made no an
swer. Kenkenes greeted the guests
with wave Of his hand and did obei-
sance before Rameses
'Thou speakest of Masaarah, my
Kenkenes," the crown prince com
mented after the salutation, ':and it
suggests an inquiry would make of
thee. Dost thou go on as sculptor nOr
wilt thou follow thy father into the drt
Of building?'
"Since the Pharaoh chose for my IA
ther, he shall choose for me ALSO"
NAY, the Pharaoh did not choose"
Rameses objected dryly. 1T was l."
"Of truth? Then thou shalt choose
for me, o my generous prince"
"Follow thy father. I would have
thee for my murket. Nay, it Is ever so.
I mold the Pharaoh and he gets the
credit
"And thou the blame, when blame
accrues from the molding," Menes put
in very distinctly, though under his
breath.
But be thou of cheer, o SOD of the
sum-" Kenkenes added. when thou
art Pharaoh thou canst retaliate upon
thine own heir in the same fashion"
''Thou givest him tardy comfort, O
son Of Mentu," Siptah commented, with
an unpleasant laugh. ''He will lose all
recollection Of the grudge, waiting; SO
long,
Rameses turned his heavy eyes to-
ward the speaker but Kenkenes halted
any remark the prince might have
made.
"Nay, let it pass" he said placidH,
dropping into chair. ''All this savors
too much Of the future and is out Of
place in the happy improvidence of the
present.
''Let it all passY' Ta-user asked.
>.'Nay, l, would hold the prince to the
promise he made a moment ago when
the choosing Of the new Tlurket comes
round again.
'Do thou so for me, then, when that
time comes" Kenkenes interrupted.
Ta-user laughed very softly and de
liyered the young artist level look OF
understanding from her topaz eyes.
fear thou art indeed improvident," she
continued, IF thou leavest thy future
to others"
''Then all the world is improyident,
since it belongeth to others to shape
every mans future, but Hotep, the
lawgiver, denies this thing. He holds
that every man builds for himself"
Right, Hotep!' Rameses exclaimed.
"It was such belief that made a world
conuuerer Of my grandsire.' =
'.Nay, thy pardon, Q my prince. Ho-
tep's counsel will not always hold,
Kenkenes objected.
''Give me to know wherein it fail
eth,' the prince demanded.
.'Alas, in thousand things. In
truth, a man even draws his breath by
the leave of others. =
by the puny god, Harpocrates! the
prince cried, soothing, THAT is the
weakest avowal / have heard in =
moon!' 81
Kenkenes flushed, and Rameses, re-
a ,1,,,coyn ont