Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-25

circlcd the room between the hanglnga
| and the walls of the chamber. within
| this passage ! was to remain. he said.
| so long as Than kosis was In the apart
| mcnt.
| When he left ! was to follow MY only
duty was to guard the ruler and keep out
Of sight as much as possible. would be
| relieved after II period Of four hours. The
| majOrdomo then left me.
| The tapestries were of strange weav-
| ing, which gave the appearance of heavy
| solidity from one side but from my hid
! ing place | could perceive all that took
place within the room as readily as though
| there had been no curtain Intervening.
Scarcely had I gained my post than
| the tapestries at the opposite end OF the
chamber separated and four soldiers Of
the guard entered. surrounding n female
| iigure. As they approached Than KOss
the soldiers fell to either side and there.
standing before the jeddak. and not ten
| feet from me, her beautiful face radiant
with smiles, was Deiah Thors.
Sab Than. Prince of Zodanga. advanced
to meet her. and, hand in hand, they APP
preached close to the jcddak. Than Kosis
looked up in surprise, and rising, saluted
her.
"ro what strange freak do I owe this
visit from the Princess of Heium, who.
two days ago, with rare consideration for
my pride. assured me that she would pre-
fer Tai Ilajus, the green Thark, to my
SOM" he asked
Dejah Thoris only smiled the more, and
with the roguish dimpes playing at the
corners OF her mouth, she made an
swer.
"From the beginning of time upon Bar
SOON it has been the prerogative of wom-
an to change her mind as she listed and
to dissemble In matters concerning her
heart That you will forgive, Than Kosis,
as has your son.
1.-TWO days ago I was not sure of his
love for me- but now / am and | have
come to beg of you to forget my rash
words and to accept the assurance OF
the Princess Of Helium that she will wed
Sab Than, Prince OF Zodanga"
81 am glad that you have so decided"
replied Than Kosis. "It Is far from my
desire to push war further against the
people of Helium, and welcome the OPP
portunIty to exercise the ban of war with
the bans of matrimony. Your promise
shall be recorded and "a proclamation to
my people issued forthwith"
at were better" Than KOsis," inter-
rupted Dejah Thoris. that the proclama-
ton wait the ending of this war. II would
look strange, indeed, TO my people and to
yours were the Princess of Iieium to give
midst of hostilities"
Cannot the war he ended at once?"
spoke Sab Than. "It requires but the
word of Than Kosis to bring peace. Say
II, my father, say the word that will
hasten my happiness, and end this un-
popular strife"
I'VE shall see." replied Than Kosls,
'how the people of Helium take to peace.
/ shall at least offer 1t to- them"
Dejah Thoris after few words, turned
and left the apartment still followed by
her guards.
Though l had heard 1t with my own
ears, could not believe II. | must search
out her apartments and force her to re-
peat the cruel truth to me alone before /
would be convinced. and so I deserted my
post and hastened through the passage
behind the tapestries toward the door by
which she had left the chamber Slipping
quietly through this opening | discovered
maze of winding corridors, branching
and turning in every direction.
Running rapidly down first one and
then another of them, | soon became hope
lessly lost and was standing painting
against a side wall when l heard voices
near me-
Apparently they were coming from the
opposite side of the partition against
which 1 leaned, and presently l made out
the tones of Dejah ThOris.
Moving on few steps | discovered an
other passageway at the end OF which lay
a door. Walking boldly forward | pushed
into the room, only to find myself in a
small antechamber, in which were the
four guards who had accompanied her.
one OF them instantly rose and accosted
me, asking the nature of my business
And your order?" asked the fellow
! did not know what he meant. but
replied that | was member of the
guard, and, without waiting for a reply
from him, l strode toward the opposite
door OF the antechamber, behind which l
could hear Dejah Thoris conversing.
But my entrance was not to be so easily
accomplished. The guardsman stepped
before me. saying:
mo one comes from Than Koss without
carrying an order or the password. You
must give me one or the other before
you may pass"
THE only order | require my friend, 10 |
enter where / will hangs at my side" / |
answered, tapping my long sword "Will |
you let me pass in peace or nO?"
For reply he whipped out his own |
sword calling TO the others TO join him, |
and thus the four stood, with drawn /
barring my further progress.
My reply was a quick thrust which left 1
me but three antagonists, and / can assure |
you that they were worthy Of my metal. /
They had me backed against the wall I'm /
no time. fighting for my life.
Slowly l worked my way 70 a corner OF /
the room where l could force them 10 /
come at me only one at time, and thus /
we fought upward OF 20 minutes, the /
changing OF steel upon steel producing a
yeritable bedlam In the little room
The noise had brought Deiah Thoris TO |
the door OF her apartment, and there she
stood throughout the conflict, with Sola
AZ her back, peering over her shoulder.
Her face was set and emotionless. and / L
knsw that she did not recognize me, nor
aid sola.
CONTINUED ToMoRRow)