The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-07-10

know it. There, it Is done. Ny life Is
in thy hands"
The prince looked at her with vide
eyes. his cheeks flushed, his lips 81
lent.
"Wouldst thou have proofy' she con-
tinued recklessly. "Seek out Hotep,
who hath been keeper Of the records
at Pithom, and ask him."
"Did he tell thee?" Seti demanded.
NAY, learned it from another
source. not In the palace" The prince
Iapsed into silence, MS eyes averted.
Ta-user regarded him intently. Sud-
denly he raised his head.
'sDost thou know the amount Of his
share? he asked.
.Tt Is but moderate part Of the
queens fortune, since each Of the kings
children by his many women was in
cluded."
"He shall have it." Seti said almost
impatiently. "Out Of mine own wealth
he shall have it, not as bribe-he
would not have it so-but because it is
HIS"
She caught his hands to her breast
and cried out In delight. >
"And shall be thy lieutenant, and
none shall know Of it save thee and
me-"
"Nay, there Is danger In this" he
said gently, 1.and would not imperil
thee. Already thou hast overstepped
safety for Egypt's sake and mine.
More than this will not let thee do.'
She pouted and, putting him away
from her. arose and left him. He fol
lowed her and took her hands.
"a confederate thou must have" she
complained, land whom dost thou
trust more than Ta-user?'
Thou dost hurry me in my plan max
ing,o he demonstrated mildly. "Mayhap
shall choose Hotep."
She flung up her head, her face the
picture Of dismay.
"Nay, nay, not Hotep! OF all thy
world not Hotepp' she exclaimed.
He lifted his brows In amazement.
Surely thou dost not question his
fdelity-his power?"
s.Nay, but dost thou not guess what
he will do? Thou child! Abet thee!
Nay, he would set his foot upon thy
plan and foil thee at once with his
poEtic hand"
.Eotep will obey as I command, that
thou knowest," he said. with dignity.
.sThog wilt not reach the point OF
command with him." she yehemently
insisted. "He would catch thine intent
ere thou hadst stated it and would
make thee aghast at thyself in a twin
king by his smooth reasoning and
vivid auguries. Nay, If thou art to
have thy way in this, wash my hands
Of it. We are as good as undone."
She turned away from him, but he
, followed her contritely.
II submit" he said helplessly. "Ad-
wise me, but I-nay, ask me not to en-
danger thee, Ta-user."
She slipped her arm about his neck
and pressed close to him.
NAY, Seti, thou dost overestimate
the peril. The Hebrew will not betray
| Us. and who else will know Of it?
shall make a journey into Goshen,
find Moses and bid him meet thee at
| a certain place. There thou shalt
COME at a certain time with the treas
ure, and the feat is done. But If we
| faH'-she flung her head back and be
witched him with heavy eye-"will 1t
be hard for me to persuade the king?''
Seti contemplated her with bewilder-
raent in his face The youth and in
nocence in his young soul revolted, but
there was another element that yield
ed and was pleased.
Have it thy way, Ta-user," be said,
with hesitation in his words, while be
continued t. gaze helplessly into her
compelling eyes.
She laughed and kissed him. Il will
see thee again soon" Putting him back
from her, she descended the stairway.
Straight through the corridors to.
1 WGTu lie Toy al 6ipdi IAISulS SHC ''OAI l.
There was an elasticity in her step that
| spoke Of exultation.
The Hathors were indulging her be.
| yond reason.
A soldier of the royal guard paced
outside the doorway Of the king
apartments. Ta-user flung him a smile
and, passing him without a word OF
leave asking, smiled again and disap
peared through the door.
Meneptah, who sat alone, raised his
head from the scroll he was laborious
ly spelling If he had meant to resent
the intrusion the impulse died within
| him at the charming obeisance the prin
cess made
AS she arose at his sign Har-hat en-
tered. 1a-user came near to the king
smiling trlumphantly at the fan bear
er.
The gods sped my feet she said
"and l am here first. Hold thy peace
noble Har-hat Nine is the first au
dience"