The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-06-19

and rebellion and overpowered with an
exaggerated appreciation of her shame,
tumbled down in the shadows Of the
narrow passage and wrapped her man
tie around her head.
When she had wept till the creamy
linen over ner small face was wet and
her throat hurt under the strain Of an
CRY sobs, and until she was sure that
Rameses was gone. she picked herself
up and went cautiously to the end Of
the passage to reconnoiter.
The prince stood under the single
lamp in the great corridor between her
and the refuge Of her chamber. An
other was close to him. her hands upon
his shoulders.
Masanath retired into the dusk and
waited. When she looked again the
hands were clasped about the princes
neck. Back into the shadows she
shrank, pressing her tiny palms TO-
sether in a wild prayer for Ta-user's
triumph. After an interval she looked
again in time to see Rameses undo the
arms about his knees and fling the
princess from him. Cold with dismay
and shaking with her sudden descent
from hope to despair, Masanath watch
eC him disappear into the dark.
"Oh, most Ill tined. iron con3nence!"
she walled under her breath. But the
change which had come over Ta-user
interested her Immediately. Fascinat-
Ell. she forgot to hide again, but the
light of the single lamp OK. not peae-
trate to her position.
The princess kept the posture Of
abandoned humiliation into which Ram
eses had flung her Until the heirs
footsteps died away up the corridor.
Then sne raised herself and faced the
direction the prince had taken. Her
1.-THE body bent a little, her rigid arms
were thrust back Of her and the hands
were clinched hard Her head was
forced forward, the long neck curved
sinuously like a vuiture's. Size began
to speak in whisper that Kissed as
| though she breathed through her words.
| Masanath felt her flesh crawl and her
soft hair take on life. Not all the
words Of the sorceress were ineligible.
At first only her CALCULATIONS were dis
tinct.
.Puny knave.w Masanath heard.
well for thee 1 do not love thee, else
thou shouldst sleep this night in the
reeking cave of a parasite, with tie
whine Of feeding flies about tlee for
dreams. Well for me that l do Rot
love thee, for thine instant death would
rob lie Of the long revenge t2at /
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 I never turned from Siptah nor
wooed thee with q 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 1 thank thee for thy
scorn. It robs me Of Qualms and adds
instead a dark delight in that which l
shall do.''
She turned toward Masanath, walk
ing swiftly. The fan bearers daush-
ter. stricken with panic, fed, 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 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, tilttng it back, kissed her.
81 give thee Joy. Masanath. Thou
hast melted the iron prince"
She rose and faced him. Did Ram
eses tell Il >e I loved him?' she de-
| manded, a faint hope stirring in her
heart
Nay, far from It. BE told me, and
| laughed as ne said 1t, that II thy soft
heart had any passion for him it was
hate
Said he that2 Nay, now, my fa-
ther. thou seest cannot marry him.
! There was relief In her voice, and she
drew near to the fan bearer and tnv1t-
ed his arms. He sat down instead and,
drawing up a stool with his foot, bade
her sit at his feet
Listen. It is whim Of the Hathors
to conceal ones own feelings from him
at times that he may accomRish his
own undoing, being blind. Much Is at
stake on thy love for the&prince.
Awake, Masaner1 Thou dost love
him; thou wilt wed him-and it shall
20 we'll with-all others whom thou
lowest"
"Wouldst use me for price, my fa-
ther-wouldst barter thy daughter for
something?- she asked in tone low
with apprehension.
'Ah. what inelegant word!" he child
Thou dost miscail my purpose. Look,
,,,o,- do,ob+or uovo Oot served thee