The Washington times., 1919-04-27

>over his welfare and his safety, as
best l may"
His safety, Princess! Pharaoh
assured me not an hour ago that he
had naught to fear, as indeed he
fears naught."
"Oh! which of you is the more
foolish" she exclaimed, stamping
her foot, "the man or his master?
You believe that the Prince has
naught to fear because that usurper
tells you so, and he believes it
well, because he fears naught. For
a little while he may sleep in
peace. But let him wait until
troubles of this sort or of that arise
in Egypt and, understanding that
the gods send them on account of
the great wickedness that my
father wrought when death had
him by the throat and his mind was
clouded, the people begin to turn
their eyes toward their lawful king.
Then the usurper will grow jealous,
and IL he has his way, the Prince
will sleep in peace-forever. II
his throat remains uncut, it viii be
for one reason only, that ! hold
back the murderer's hand. Fare
well, can talk no more, for / say
to you that my brain is afire-and
tomorrow he should have been
crowned, and / with him." and she
swept away, royal as ever, leaving
me wondering what she meant
when she spoke Of troubles arising
in Egypt, or If the words were but
uttered at hazard.
Afterward Bakenkhonsu and
suppRd together at the college Of
the temple Of Ptah, Of which be-
cause of his age he was called the
father, when 1 heard more Of this
matter.
"Ana," he said, 81 tell you that
such gloom hangs over Egypt as !
have never known even when 1t
was thought that the Ninebow Bar
barians would conquer and enslave
the land. Amenmeses will be the
fifth Pharaoh whom l have seen
crowned, the first of them when /
was but a little child hanging to
my mothers robe, and not once
have / known such joylessness. :"
THAT may be because the crown
passes to one who should not wear
1t, Bakenkhonsu."
He shook his head. ''Not alto
gether. l think this darkness
comes from the heavens as light
does. Men are afraid they know
not of what"
"The Israelites," ! suggested.
''Now you are near to it, Ana,
for doubtless they have much to do
with the matter. Had it not been
for them Seti and not Amenmeses
would be crowned tomorrow. Also
the tale Of the marvel which the
beautiful Hebrew woman wrought
in the temple yonder has got
abroad and is taken as an omen.
Did tell you that six days gone a
fine new statue Of the god was con-
secrated there, and on the follow
ing morning was found lying on its
side, or, rather, with its head rest
ing on the breast Of Mut?"
'If so, Merapi is blameless, be-
cause she has gone away from this
city"
"Of course she has gone away,
for has not Seti gone also? But I
think she left something behind
her. However that may be, even
our new divine lord is afraid. He
dreams i'll, Ana" he added, drop
ping his voice, $50 i'll that he has
called in XII to interpret his Wis
IONS"
"And what said Ki?"
Xxi could say nothing, or, rather.
that the only answer vouchsafed
to him and his company, when they
made inquiry Of their Kas, was that
this gods reign would be very
short and that it and his life would
end together"
Which, perhaps, did not please
the god Amenmeses, Bakenk-
honsu?"
which did not please the god
at all. He threatened XII. It is a
foolish thing to threaten a great
Ana, as the Kherheb XII
himself indeed told him, looking