The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-07-31


yeaz Of banishment, lifelong humtlia-
ton! L!bva, the death country! Now,
was anything more bxutal7 Nay, 1t is
IKE Rameses!'
She sank back In the shadows OF her
litter, covered hex face with her hands
and shuddered because Of the tmmt
nence Of her tiai
So they iourneyed On TIL at last
Masanath fell asleep, not from tndtfer-
ence, for her fears exhausted her, but
because her mind stu retained baby
hoed's way Of comforting Itself when
too roughly beset.
She was aroused 10 the middle Of the
first watch by the passage of her litter
between bewildering stretches Of lights
She was within the palace The sol
diers that bore her were tramping over
a Damascene carpet and between long
lines Of groveling attendants, through
an atmosphere Of overwhelming per
fume The messenger bad been swift
and toe court bad had time to prepare
to greet the coming crown princess
with propriety.
After the first spasms Of terror Masa
nath set her teeth and prepared to en-
dure. She was borne to the doors Of
the throne room, and two mobiles, gor-
geously habited, set the carved steps
beside the litter for her feet
eWithout hesitation she descended.
The great hall was ablaze with light
and fined with courtiers. The Pharaoh,
with the queen by his side again, was
in bis place under the canopy.
Har-hat, giittertng with gems and
rustl;ng in snow white robes approach
ed with triumph in his face to embrace
her. But within three steps he paused
as suddenly as though be had been
commanded. He bent his knee and
kissed the profered hand He had
become the subject Of his daughter.
She suffered him to head her to the
royal dais, where she knelt. The queen
descended, raised her and led her to
the throne. Meneptah met them. kissed
Masanath.s forehead and blessed her.
The queen embraced ber and returned
to her place beside the Pharaoh.
Masanath turned to the right Of the
royal dais and faced the prince. Thus
far her greetings had not been hard
Now was the supreme test. Har-hat
conducted her within a few PAGES Of
the prince and stepped aside. What
followed was to prove Masanath's will
ingness.
Rameses stood in the center OF a
slightly raised platform. which was
carpeted with gold edged purple. Be
hind him was bis great chair. But
for the badge Of psincehood, the
fringed ribbon dependent from a gem
crusted amulet over each temple his
habiifments were the same as the Pha-
raoh,s.
Masanath's face fell. and she. ap-
preached the prince with slow steps.
Within three PAGES Of The platform she
paused and sank to her knees. It was
done. She had Acknowledged the be
tro{ha! ard kle!t to Eey lord RAJ e
ses raised her. He itftsd the haoge OF
priocehood from his forehead. short
ened TIE iliet from wflscA Z hung, so
that 1t would fit -. small head, and
set it on her brow.
The great palace shook with the ac-
claim of the courtiers. Taking Masa-
-Sxl>,n b,15 D.rox,o., lruJ hop down tho
hall through the bending ranks Of
purple wearing Egyptians to the great
icportals of the hall There he gave her
into the hands Of troop OF court
ladies, 1.-THE as leopards and gorgeous
as butterflies, who led hex with many
sinuous obeisarces to her apartments
After a .sumptuous meal Masanath
surveyed herself with swift glance in
a plate Of polished silver. which was
her mirror, and then, dartine out Of her
door, ran down the corridor as though
she would outstrip repentance before it
overlook her.
She came upon him whom she sought
He was Oh the point Of entering bis
apartments. He paused with his hands
on the curtains and waited for her.
"a boon, my lord she painted, chief
ly from trepidation-
"a boon. Thou wouldst ask boon
of me? Nay. will not promise, for it
may be thou contest to ask thy free
dom, and that win not grant for
spleen
Still she curbed herself. Nay, o
prince. am come TO ask naught Of
thee which-a wife-may not justly
ask of-her-lord.
What is the boon that thou mayest
justly ash Of me?'
"My father
Il am no longer in debt to thy IA
ther."
81 ask no favor for my father at thy
hands Rather am come to crave a
boon for myself Ny father asked an
Lsraelite maiden at the bands Of the
Pharaoh year agone, and she was be
loved by my friend and thine She fed
from my father and was hidden by the
man she loved"