The Washington times., 1906-01-28
CHAPTER XIX.-Continued.

Ayesha, rigid with terror. swayed to
and fro at my side. till presently the
end came, for l could see Leo drive
his long knife into the bowels of the
leopard. which at once grew limp, sep
arated from him. and after a struggle
OF two in the bloOd-staiued snow, lay
still. Then he rose, laughing and
pointing 10 his rent garments, while
one OF the huntsmcn came forward ana
began 10 bandage some wounds in his
hands and thigh with strips of linen
torn from his mderrObe.
The vision vanished suddenly as IL
had come, and I felt Ayesha leaning
heavily upon my shoulder like any 9TH
Ell frightened woman, and l heard her
gasp:
That danger also has passed by, but
how many are there 10 follow? on.
tormented heart. how long canst thou
en5urer'
Then her wrath famed up against the
chief and his huntsmen. and she sum-
moned messengers and sent them out at
speed with a litter and ointments, bid
ding them 10 bear back the lord Leo
and to bring his companions 10 her very
presence.
Thou seest what days are mine, my
years she said. but these hounds
shall pay me for this agony"
Nor would she suffer me 10 reason
with her.
Four hours later Leo returned. limp
ing after the litter in which. instead OF
himself. for whom il was sent, lay a
mountain sheep and the skin OF the
snow leopard that he had placed there
TO save the huntsmen the labor Of car
rying them Ayesha was waiting for
him in the hall of her dwelling, and
gliding 10 him-I cannot say she walk
ed-overwhelmed him with mingled
solicitude and reproaches. He listened
while. then asked:
How dost thou know anything of this
matter? The leopard skin has not yet
been brought 10 thee"
Il know because / saw" she answer
ed The worst hurt was above thy
knee; hast thou dressed it with the
salve I sent?'
Not /" he said. But thou hast not
left this sanctuary; how didst thou see?
BY thy magic?'
'If thou wilt. at least I saw, and
Holly also saw thee rolling In the snow
with that fierce brute. while those ours
ran round ike scared children"
II am weary of this magic" interrupt
ed Leo Grossly Cannot man be
left alone for an hour even with
leopard of the mountain? As for those
brave men"
At this moment Oros entered 'nd
whispered something. bowling low
LAS for those brave men, I will deal
with them" said Ayesha. with bitter
emphasis. and covering herself-for she
cd
of the mountain-she swept from the
place.
Where has she gone, Horace asked
Leo. ITO one of her services in the
sanctuary"
Il don't know" I answered; but if
so. I think it will be that chiefs burial
service"
"NHl ito" he exclaimed. and instantly
Hmped after her
A minute or two later I thought it
wise to follow. In the sanctuary a
curious scene was in progress. Ayesha
was seated in front of the statue. Be
fore her. very much frightened knelt a
brawnv. red-haired chieftain and FIVE of
his followers. who still carried their
hunting spears. while with folded arms
and an exceedingly grim look upon his
face. Leo. who. as / learned afterward.
had already interfered and been 81
fenced stood upon one side listening to
what passed. At little distance be
hind were a dozen or more of the tenn
pie guards. men armed with swords and
picked for their strength and stature.
Ayesha. in her sweetest voice. was
questioning the men as to how the Loop
ard. of which the skin lay before her.
had come TO attack Leo. The chief an
sweTed that they had tracked the brute
10 its lair between two rocks; that one
of them had gone I'm and wounded it.
wherein II sprang upon him and struck
him down; that then the lord Leo had
engaged 1t while the man escaped, and
was also struck down. after which. roll
ing with 1t on the ground he Stable
and slew the animal. That was all
NO. not ALL" said Ayesha; for you
forget. towards that you are. that.
keeping yourselves in safety. you left
nv lord TO the fury OF this beast Coco.
Drive them out on 10 the mountain
there to perish also al the fangs of
beasts. and make it known that he who
gives them food OF shelter dies"
Offering no prayer for pity or ex-