The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-10-07

continued Chez Ming. "Here every
blood is blended in one true nation.
Man. In time before time, divided him
self and his substance into many peo-
pies. 1t was folly. and should never
have occurred. But in Tau Kuan they
are again united. Here is the perfect
empire. This sacred city is older than
the Tower Of Babel. All the other
states OF Asia, when the Cobb was not
a desert, rushed into that folly. Of
ali the world. only the Monzoul of Tau
Kuan had wisdom. Tai. Kuan alone
did not enter into that confusion.
Tau Kuan alone has remained holy
and fertile. You have seen the fate
that befell the others. They are but
tOmbs forgotten, beneath a sea of
cursed sand. Here only are green
things, and pure. Here only is the I'M
broken tradition of light. 1t is a
small thing to die for Tau Kuan, when
necessary"
Thanks. suppose you wish me to
die?"
"In a month-two months-not
| longer
''Why the deIayT"
your white blood is to be preserv-
ed"
How do you meanF'
BLENDED" replied the Chinese,
tAn Arab maid of purest strain will
come to you When her child is born,
you work is ended. But We do not
wait for it TO be born. Two moons
shall suffice you
The American was caught by sur
| prise, and the cool statement of over
head arrangements left him speech
less. Chez Ming turned about and de-
parted.
Lexington paced the roof in his anger
at the fantastic injustice. From the
words of his enemy concerning Tau
Kuan he began TO understand some
thing of why this inaccessible country
had been so wonderful a magnet to
| his spirit He was glad he had ans
wered the draw of this remote treas
| ure-land. In other circumstances he
| would have been deeply interested in
| the claims of antiquity, and esOteric
history. But its plans and purposes
meant nothing to him. He had no de-
sire to aid in blending the races of
| the world, particularly not at the COM
mand of his Chinese enemy. His heart
was Western and demanded freedom.
Twilight had deepened across the
| fertile valley when he heard footsteps
and the soft Jingle of bracelets. A
slave, leading a girl, approached him.
The maiden's robes were but wells
Her eyes were not covered but were
| intently regarding her new white
master. Fear was written there, and
| fascination. Her breathing was trem-
ul0uS. The slave withdrew, and the
girl cried out at being left alone,
avertfng her glance. Con did not
move, and presently she looked up
! again. Her cheeks were brown and
smooth, her lips red. She was nearly
as tall as himself.
Its all right" ne said,. meaning
well.
His first impulse was to send her
| away at once. But it occurred to him
| that this would not only hasten his
own demise but probably bring heavy
| disfavor upon the maid. She was kiss
| Ing his hand. He raised her, wishing
that the Tower of Babel had not re-
suited in such marked difference
between English and Arabic speech.
Yet If she had known his language, his
task would have been no easier. Con
meant no disrespect, he almost felt
inferior to her, but simply he did not
want her.
The Arab girl went into his apart
ment to await him. The best he could
DE- was to remain On the roof, sit
ting beside the stone bench. He con-
sidered the odds.
The stars appeared, and the final
red and yellow gold was dimmed from
the west. Somewhere beyond the rim
of the valley, a wolf howled. its cry