Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-29

skin of her face was scanned and crossed
with a million deep-cut burrows. Her body
was as wrlnkled as her face, and as re-
pulsive.
Surrounding her were a number Of fe-
male slaves, among them Phaidor, white
and trembling.
This is the man who slew seven of the
First Born, and, bare-handed, bound Dator
Xodar with his own harness?" asked lssus
Most glorious vision of divine loveli-
ness, 1t is," replied the officer who stood
at my side.
Produce Dator xodar." she commanded
Xodar was brought from the adjoining
1ssus glared at him, baleful light in
her hideous eyes.
And such as you are a dator of the
First Born7" she sauealed. For the dis
grace you have brought upon the Immortal
Race you shall be degraded to rank be-
low the lowest.
mo longer be you dator. but forever
more a slave of slaves. to fetch and carry
for the lower orders that serve in the gar
dens of 1ssus. Remove his harness. Cow
ards and slaves wear no trappings."
Xodar stood stiffiy erect. Not muscle
twitched nor n tremor shook his giant frame
as soldier of the guard roughly stripped
his gorgeous trappings from him.
"Begone ~ screamed the infuriated little
old woman. "Begone but instead of the
light of the gardens of Issus, let you serve
as a slave of this slave who conquered you
In the prison on the Isle of Shador, in the
Sea of Omean. Take him away out of the
sight of my divine eyes"
Slowly and with high-hed head the proud
Xodar turned and stalked from the cham
ber. Issus rose and turned to leave the
room by another exit.
Turning to me, she said: You shall be
returned to Shador for the present. Later
Issus will see the manner of your fighting.
Co."
Then she disappeared. followed by her
retinue. Only Phaidor Jagged behind, and
as I started to follow my guard toward
the gardens, the girl came running after me.
do not leave me In this terrible place"
she begged. Forgive the things 1 said to
you. my prince. did not mean them. Only
take me away with you. Let me share
your Imprisonment on Shador"
Her words were an almost incoherent
volley of thoughts. so rapidly she spoke
You did not understand the honor that
did you. Among the therns there Is no
marriage or giving in marriage, as among
the lower orders of the outer world We
might have lived together forever in love
and happiness. We have both looked upon
Issus, and in n year we die. Let us live
that year at least together in what measure
of joy remains for the doomed"
IF II was difficult for me to understand
YOU, Phaldor," l replied, "can you not un.
derstand that possibly 1t is equally difficult
for you to understand the motives, the Gus
I do not wish to hurt you nor to seem to
undervalue the honor which you have done
me, but the thing you desire may not be-
Regardless of the foolish belief of the
peoples of the outer world, or of holy thern,
of even First Born am not dead. While
live my heart beats for but one woman
the Incompatible Dejah Thoris. Princess of
Helium. When death overtakes me my
heart shall have ceased to beat. but what
comes after that / know not. And in that
/ am as wise as Natal Shang, master of
Life and Death upon Barsoom; or Issus.
goddess of Life Eternal"
Phaidor stood looking at me intently for
a moment. No anger showed In her eyes
this time, only a pathetic expression of
hopeless sorrow and resignation,
II do not understand" she said. and
turning, walked slowly in the direction of
the door through which Issus and her ret
inue had passed.
A moment later she had passed from my
sight.