The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-04-10

els, and her ankietS and armletS tin
kled with fringes of cats and hawks
in carnelian. Her hair was brilliant
black and unbraided. Her complexion
was transparent, and the underlying
red showed deeply in the small, full
Tipped mouth-like stain in the
cheeks, like a flush on the brow, and
even family on the dainty chin. Her
eyes were large and black, with the
amorous lid, and lined with kohl be-
meath the lower lash. Her profile
showed the exquisite aquiline of the
pure blooded Egyptian
She was the Lady Ta-meri, daughter
Of Amenemhat, monarch Of Memphis.
The Egyptian accompanying the lit
ter was nearly thirty years Of age. He
was an example Of the other type Of
the race, differing from the classic
model Of Kenkenes. The forehead re-
treated, the nose was long, low, slight
" depressed at the end, the mouth
thick Tipped, the eye narrow and aim
ond shaped, the cheek bones high, the
complexion dark brown.
He was the nephew Of the kings
cGpbearer VINO had died without issue
at Thebes during the past month. His
elder brother had succeeded his father
to high Office in the priesthood, but
he, .Nechutes, was a candidate for the
honors Of his dead uncle.
Kenkenes gave the man a smiling
nod and bent over the lady's fingers.
"Fiev' was her greeting. abroad
like the rabble and carrying a bur-
denv' She flliped the wallet with a
pink stained finger nail.
"Sit here" she commanded, patting
the cushioned edge Of the litter
The sculptor declined the invitation
with a smiie.
81 go to try some stone" he explain
ed.
Truly, believe thou lowest labor"
the lady asserted ,accusingly. "Ah, but
punishment overtakes thee at last. Be
hold, thou mightst have gone with me
to the marshes today, but knew thou
and so I took Nechutes."
Kenkenes shot an amused glance at
her companion.
II would wager my mummy, Nechu-
tes. that this is the first .intimaion
thou hast had that thou vert second
choice" be said.
"Aye, thou hast said," Nechutes ad-
mitted,, his eyes showing g sudden
light. He lad a voice Of profound
depth and resonance that rumbled like
the purring of the kings lions. "And
not moment since she swore that it
was I who made her sun to move"
80 Ma, goddess Of truth" the lady
cried, threatening him with her fan,
'1smite thou himr'
The prospective cupbearer rumbled
an order to the slaves, and they shoul-
dered the litter.
Ta-meri nodded a bright farewell, and
they moved away. The sculptor, still
smiling, continued down to the river.
At the landing he engaged one Of the
numerous small boats awaiting pas
senger and directed the clout wearing
boatman to drop down the stream.
"Set me down near Masaarah," Ken
kenes said, "and wait for me-" The
boatman effected landing at bed
ding Of masonry on which a wharf had
once been built. The rock was now
overrun with riotous marsh growth.
The quarries had not been worked
for half a century. The thrifty hus
bandman had cultivated his narrow
field within a few feet Of the Nile, and
the roadway that had once led from
the ruined wharf toward the hills was
obliterated by the grain.
Kenkenes alighted and struck through
the wheat toward the pitted front Of
the cliffs.
At a spot where a great deal Of bro
ken rock incumbered the ground Ken
kenes unslung his wallet and tested the
fragments with his chisel and mallet.
It was the same as the quarry product
magnesium limestone, white, fine,
close grained and easily worked. But
it was broken in fragments too small
for his purpose.
At that moment his eyes fell on a
block Of proper dimensions Under the
very shadow of the great cube upon
which he stood.
1t stood at the lower end Of an aisle
between great rocks. AL view Of it
was cut off save from that position tax
en- by Kenkenes when he discovered it.
With a laugh Of sheer content he turn
ed to retrace his steps and began to
sing.
fTo BE Continued
S1o0 Reward, s10O.