The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-08-17

household guard Of K~handawar, white
the horses seemed to be stations he
had seen in the palace yard. with an
other but little their inferior In mettle
or beauty.
Now" announced the woman in
ones OF deep contentment, I'VE will
ride"
She turned to Amber. who took hsr
up in his arms and set her in the sad
die Of n OF the stations.
The sowar surrendered to Amber
the reins of the other stallion and
stepped hastily aside. The Virgtnian
took the saddle with a flying leap. and
a thought later was digging his knees
into the brute's sleek tanks and saw
ing on the bits, while the path flowed
beneath him. dappled with moonlight
and shadow, like a ribbon of gray
green silk. and trees and shrubbery
streaked back on either hand In q
rush Of melting blacks and grays.
Swerving acutely, the path ran into
the dusty high road. Amber heard a
rush of hoofs behind him. and then
slowly the gauze-wrapped figure Of the
queen drew alongside.
Marc! Let him run, my kingl
The way Is not far for such as he.
Have no fear lest he tire!"
But Amber set his teeth and
wrought with the reins until his
mount comprehended the fact that he
had met a master and, moderating his
first furious burst OF speed, settled
down into a league-devouring stride,
crest low, limbs gathering and stretch.
ing, with the elegant precision OF
clockwOrk. His rider, regainins his
poise, found time t look about him
and began to enjoy, for all his cares.
this wild race through the bluewhite
night.
They circled finally a great, round.
CRASHES hillside. and pulled rein in
the notch Of a gigantic v formed by
two long. prow-like spurs running out
upon a plain whose sole, vague bound
airy was the vast arc of the horizon.
Before them loomed dead Kathiapur,
an island of stone girdled by the shall
low silver river. Like the rugged
pedestal Of some mammoth column. its
cliffs rose sheer t~hresscore fee from
the waters edge TO the foot Of the
outermost of It's triple walls. From
the notch in the hills a great stone
causeway climbed with a long and
easy grade to the level OF the first
great gate. spanning the chasm over
the river by means OF a crazy wooden
bridge.
A gasp from the woman and an
oath from the W startled Amber
out Of somber apprehensions into
which he had been plunged by contem-
plation OF this impregnable fortress
Of desolAtion. Gone was his lust for
peril, gone his high. needless Joy Of
adventure, gone the intoxicatton which
had been his who had drunk deep OF
the cup OF romance; there remained
only the knowledge that he. alone and
single-handed, was to pit his wits
against the invisible and mighty
forces that lurked in hiding within
those walls. to eem TO submit TO
their designs and so ind his way to
the woman OF his love. tear her from
the grasp of tho unseen. and with her
escape.
Naraini had, indeed. no need to cry
aloud or clutch his hand IN order to
appr1se him that the Eye wa vis1lant.
He himself had seer II break forth, q
lurid star Of emerald light suspended
high above the dark heart Of tho ofy.
Slowly, while they watched tho
star descended, foot by foot, dropping
until the topmost pinnacle Of a hidden
temple semed to support II; and
there II rested. %throbbing with light.
o bright, now dull.
Amber shook himself inpatiently.
Silly chariantry!" he muttsred. irn.