The Washington times., 1906-01-28
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-
child. who otherwise would have de-
vastated the universe.
] was right
While I was still INDUCING myself
in these reflections and hoping that
Ayesha would not take the trouble 10
read them in my mind. became aware
that Oros was bowling TO the earth be-
fore her
Thy business. priest?" she asked.
sharply; for when she was with Leo
Ayesha did not like 20 be disturbed
Hes. the spies are returned,
why didst thou send them out?' she
asked. indimerently. What need have
] OF thy spies?''
Hes thou didst command me
We'll. their TepOrt?
Hes. IL is most grave. The people OF
Kaloon are desperate because OF the
drought which has caused their crops 10
fail so that starvation stares them IN
the eyes. and this they lay to the charge
of the strangers who came into their
land and fed 10 thee. The Khania
Ateue also Is mad with rage against
thee and eur holy college. Laboring
night and day. she has gathered two
great armies one of forty and one OF
twenty thousand men. and the latter Of
THESE she SEHlE against the IlOUl4ta4A
under the command Of her uncle. Sim
bri the Shaman. In case it should be
defeated she purposes 70 remain with
p the second and greater army on the
plains about KalOon."
'-ridings indeed" said Ayesha. with
a scornful laugh. Has her hate made
this woman mad that she dares thus
10 match herself against me- Ny Hol-
Is. IL crossed thy mind but now that it
was / who am mad. Boosting Of what
! have no power 10 perform Well.
within six days thou shalt learn-oh!
verify thou shalt learn. and. though the
issue be very small. in such a fashion
that thou wilt doubt no more forever
STAY l VIII look though the effort OF
ii wearies ne for those spies NAV be
but victims TO their own fears. or 10
the falsehoods Of Atene."
Then suddenly. as was common with
her when thus Ayesha threw her sight
afar which either from Incidence or
because as she said. IL exhausted her.
she did but rarely. her lovely face grew
rigid. like that Of a person IN a trance:
the light faded from her brow. and the
great pupils OF her eyes contracted
themselves and lost their color.
In a little while. five minutes per
haps, she sighed Ike one awakening
from a deep sleep, passed her hand
across her forehead and vas as she had
been. though somewhat languid, as
though strength had left her.
1T Is true enough" she said, and
soon I must be stirring lest many OF
my people should be killed. Ny lord.
wouldst thou see war? Nay. thou shalt
bide here in safety whilst ! go forward
to visit Atene, as I promised"
Where thou gOest. / 60" said Leo,
angrIly. his face flushing 10 the roots
OF his hair with shame.
4 pray thee not. I pray thee not"
she answered. yet without yenturing TO
forbid him. I'VE will talk OF II here
after. Oros, aWayi Send round the Fire
OF Hes TO every chief. Three nights
hence at the moonrise bid the tribes
gather-nay. not all. twenty thousand
IF their best will be enough, the rest
shall stay to guard the mountain and
this sanctuary Let them bring food
with them for fifteen days. I join them
at the following dawn. Co"
He bowed and went. wherein. dis
missing the matter from her mind,
Ayesha began TO question me again
about the Chinese and their customs.
It was IN course Of a somewhat SINH
lar conversation Ul TIE ADliDHl44E AA-Si4As
of which. however, : forget the exact
details, that remark % Leo's led 10
another exhibition of Ayesha's marvel
Gus powers
Leo-who had been considering her
plans for conquest. and again combat
ing them as best he could. for they were
entirely repugnant TO hts religious. So
ciaI and political views said suddenly
that. after all they must break down.
r since they would involve the expenditure
of sums OF money So vast that even
[ Ayesha herself would be unable 10 pro-
vide them by any known methods OF
taxation. She looked at him and laughed
r a little.
Verify. Leo" she said. Ito thee. yes;
5 and 10 Holly here ! must seem some
madcap girl blown 10 and fro by every
wind of fancy. and building NE pal
2 ace wherein TO dwell out OF dew and
= yapOrs. or from the substance OF the
I sunset fires. Thinkest thou. theIi that
l would enter on this War-One woman
against all the world and as she spoke
her shape grew rOyIl. and in her awful
eyes there came a look that chilled my
5 blood-"and made no preparation for
= its necessities2 Why. since last we
= spoke upon this matter. foreseeing all,
= thou shalt learn how. without cost TO
those we rule-and for that reason alone
shall they love US dearly-I viii glut
t the treasures of the empress OF the
S earth.
1 "Dost remember. Leo. how in Kor
/ found but a single pleasure during all
n those weary ageS-tnaL OF forcing my
. mother. nature. one by one. TO yield me-
up her choicest secretSi /. who am a
: student of all things which are and OF
n the forces that cause them 10 be born.
: Now follow me. both of you. and We
shall look on what mortal eyes hav4
= not yet beheli'
d What are We to see?" l asked,
= doubtfully. having a lively recollection
: of Ayesha powers as a chemist.
> That thou shalt learn. or shalt not
n learn if il pleases thee to stay behind
= Come Leo. my love. my love, and leave
this wise philosopher first 10 ind his
riddle and next 10 guess it
: Then turning her back 10 me she
o smiled on him so sweetly that. although
really he was more 10th to go than /
q Leo would have followed her through a
: furnace door, as, indeed, had he but
x known it. he was about 10 do.
: So they started, and l accompanied
o them, since with Ayesha il was useless