Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-12-03


her the Heart of the Hills: | found
them ten years ago and clothed her
anu put new linen OH their he'd, for The
cid wa> all rags and dust. There have
always been hundreds-and sometimes
thousands knew the secret of
Khinjnn caves, hut this has been II
secret within "A secret. Someone. who
knew The secret before |. sawed those
bracelets through md fitted hinges
and clasps. The men you saw in The
Cavern Of Earth's Drink have no
doubt am the Heart of The Hills
come To life. They Shall know thee
as him within Il little while, ~
She held his hand II little tighter and
pressed closer 10 him. laughing softly.
He stood MS If made of iron, and that
only made her laugh the more
Tales of the Heart of the Hills
have puzzled the raj, haven't they.
these many years. They sent me to
find the source Of them. Me. They
chose we'll There nre not many like
me. have found this one dead woln-
an who was like me. And in ten years.
! until you came, have found no man
like him ~
She tried to look into his eyes, but
| he frowned straight in front of him
His native costume and Rangar urban
In. lass
man. His jowl, that was begnnisg TO
need shaving, was AS grim and AS sat
isfyiDg as the dead Romans. She
stroked his left hand with soft fingers.
Il used TO think | knew how to
/ dance.' she laughed. For ten years
+ ] have taken those pictures of her for
/ my model and have striven to learn
what she knew. have surpassed her
1 used to think ! knew how tc amuse
I myself with mems dreams-mtil
found this. Then dreamed on my
own account. My dream was true, m.
warrior, You have come. Our hour
has comet"
She tugged at his hand. He was
hers, soul and harness. If outward
signs could prove 1t.
pitalty? You are weary and hungry
CoIEe.r
She led him by the hand, for II
wMlld have needed brute force to pry
her fingers loose. She drew aside the
leather curtain that hung on bronzt
rod near the bed. led him through 1t
and let ii clash to again behind them
Now they were In the dark together
and it was nor comprehended in hei
scheme of things to let circumstance
lie fallow. She pressed his hand, ane
sighed. and then hurried, WHISPERING
tender words he could scarcely catch
When they burst together through ,
curtain at the other end of passage
in the rock his skin was red ,undel
the tan and for HE first time her eyes
refused to meet his.
why did they choose that cave Il
sleep in;" she asked him. rs not thi'
II better one? Who laid them there?'
He stared about. They We're In ,
great room far more splendid than tn
the center splashing IN the midst o
flowers. They were cut flowers. TIL
Hills" must have been secured fo
them within u day.
There We're great cushioned couche
all about and two thrones made .
ivory and gold. Between two couche
was a table, laden with golden plate
and Il golden jug. on pure white linen
There were two goblets of beaten gol,
and knives with golden handles an
bronze blades. The whole room
seemed to he drenched In the seen
Yasmini favored, and there was III
same frieZe running round all fou
walls. with the woman depicted on
dancing.
"Come, we shall eat ~ she said, lead
ing him by the hand to couch Sh
, took che one facing him. and they Ia
like two Romans of the empire wit
the table in between.
She struck Il golden gong then, AN
Il native woman came In. who stare
ut King ms II she had seen him befOr
and did not like him. lasmin nodde
to the servant, who clapped her hands
AT once cnme stream of hillmel
) rObed in white. who carried sherbet /
I bottles cooled In snow and dishes FRI;
grant with hot food. He recognize
: his own prisoners from the Mir kha
Palace Jail and nodded to them Il
!, they SET the things down under tn
e maids direction. When they had iii
tshed eating Yaslnini drove the mai
u away with II sharp word he br0ugl
an ivory fooistool and set II about
yard away from her waXcn toes. An
F! she, watching him with burning eye
z wound tresscs of her hair around III
golden dagger handle, making her jew
Z els glitter with each movement.
''fhe gods Of India, who are the onl
: real gods. what do they think Of II nj
/ They have been good 10 The Englls
e but they have had no thanks. The
y will stand aside now aud watch
greater jihod than lhe world has ev,
e seen. love them. and they love me
9 AS you shall love me- too. II they ii
l not love both Of us. we would not hot
z be here We must obey them 80