Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-11

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The boys eyes had lighted with pleasure
as spoke, and saw him glance from his
rusty trappings to the magnifcence of my
own. For moment he stood in thought
Detore ne spoke. and for that moment my
heart fairly ceased beatlng-so much for
me there was which hung upon the sub
stance Of his answer
Again he stood silently in deep thought.
And there is a jeweled shortsword
which I took from the body Of n northern
jeddak. When you get the harness see that
Carthoris gives you that also. with It and
the harness which you may select there will
DO no more handsomely accoutred warrior
in all ZodanKa
Bring writing materials when you come
next to my cell, and within a few hours we
shall see you garbed in a style befitting
your birth and carriage"
still In thought, and without speaking he
turned ana left me. l could not guess what
his decision might be. and for hours I sat
fretting over the outcome OF the matter.
If he accepted a message to Carthorls Il
would mean to me that Carthoris still lived
and nvas free.
If the youth returned wearing the harness
and the sword would know that Carthorls
had received my note and that he knew
that 1 still lived.
That the bearer Of the note was Zodan-
gan would be sufficient to explain to Car
u
1t was with feelings of excited expectancy
which 1 could scarce hide that 1 heard the
youths approach upon the occasion of his
next visit
did not speak beyond my accustomed
greeting of him. AS he placed the food
upon the floor by my side he also deposited
writing material at the same time.
My heart fairly bounded for JOY. had
won my point.
For a moment looked at tho materials
fniunp1 utir htrN Il ted
an expression of dawning comprehension to
come into my face, and then picking them
UP 1 penncd brief order to Carthoris to
deliver to Parthak harness of his selec- |
tion and the shortsword which 1 described. |
That was all. But 1t meant everything |
to me and to Carthoris.
laid the note open upon the floor. Par |
thak picked 1t up, and, without n word, left |
me.
The next time heard approaching foot |
steps could scarce await to see II Parthak |
wore the harness and the sword. but Judge |
II you can my chagrin and disappointment |
when I saw that he who bore my food was |
not Parthak. |
what has become of Parthak7" / asked. |
but the fellow would not answer. and as
soon as he had deposited my food, turned |
and retraced his steps to the world above. |
Days came and went, and still my new |
jailer continued his duties. nor would he |
ever speak n word to me, either in reply |
to the simplest questions of his own
initiative.
could only speculate on the cause
of Parthal's removal, but that 1t was |
connected in some way directly with the |
note that I had given him was most |
apparent to me.
Thirty days had passed since I had |
given the youth the note Three hundred |
and thirty days had passed since my |
AS closely as I could figure there re-
har ,rtty ara nntnh
Thors would be ordered to the arena
for the rites Of Issus.
1 think l should have gone crazy but
for the sound OF my approaching jailer.
1t distracted my attention from the terrible
thoughts that had been occupying my en-
tire mind.
Now a new and grim determination came
to me. / would make one superhuman ef-
fort to escape. XIII my jailer by ruse,
and trust to fate to lead me to the outer
world in safety.
with the thought came instant action.
I threw myself upon the floor of my cell
close by the wall in a strained and distorted
as though I were dead after
struggle or convulsions.
When he should stoop over me had but
to grasp his throat with one hand and strike
him a terrific blow with the slack of my
chain, which I grpped firmly in my right
hand for that purpose.
Nearer and nearer came the doomed man.
Now I heard him halt before me. There
was muttered exclamation and then step
as he came TO my side.
/ felt him kneel beside me-
My grip tightened upon the chain. He
leaned close to me, 1 must open my eyes
to find his throat, grasp 1t and strike one
mighty blow, all at the same instant.
The thing worked just as had planned.
SO brief was the interval between the
opening of my eyes and the fall of the chain
that could not check it.
Yet in that second I recognized the face
so close to me as that Of my son-Car-
.horsl
What cruel and malign fate had worked
% such frightful end What devious chain
If circumstances had led my boy 10 my
side at this one particular minute of our
ives, when I could strike him down and
kill him in ignorance of his identity!
A benign though tardy providence blurred
ny vision and my mind, as I sank into
across the lifeless body OF
ny only son.
When 1 regained consciousness It was TO
eel cool, firm hand pressed upon my
orehead. For an instant / did not open
ny eyes. was endeavoring to gather the
oose ends OF many thoughts and memories
which fitted eusvely through my tired
nd overwrought brain.
Leaning over me was Carthoris a great |
,ruise upon his forehead, where the chain
lad struck him, but alive, thank heaven
live! There was no one with him. Reach |
ng out my arms took my boy within them.
nd II ever there rose from any planet a
ervent prayer of gratitude It was there be-
cath, the crust Of dying Mars as thanked
he Eternal Mystery for my sons life
The brief instant in which had seen and !
ecognized Carthoris before the chain fell
aust have been ample to check the force
I the blow He told me that he had lain
for time-how long he did
ot know. {
How came you here at all?" 1 asked I
1T was by your wit in apprislng me of /
our existence and imprisonment through I
he youth Parthak, Until he came for his
arness and his sword we had thought you :
cad. When 1 had read your note l did i
$ you had bid, giving Parthak his choice OF
he harness in the guard room. and later
ringing the jeweled shortsword to him The 4
minute that had fulfilled the promise you n
had made him my obligation H
eased. Then commenced 70 question him. II
ut he would give me no information as TO II
our whereabouts. He was intensely loyal /
D Eat Arras. III
FINALLY gave him fair choice between
reedom and the pits beneath the palace
he price of freedom to be full information -
S to where you were imprisoned and direc- (
ons which would lead us 70 you-but still :
a maintained his BtubbOrn |