The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-12-02

They were enraged."
She had crossed the room with a
grace that found every nerve-tbe gen.
tleness of the oriental in her step,
but more than that, the clear-limbed
assurance of an American girl Lev
ingtOn bowed and burned. He man.
aged to inquire: "Are you ready to
go on long Journey"
"DOes my father wish me to go?"
YES" he lied.
81 CO."
There was nothing of kOresh about
her now. unless in the faint shadows
below her eyes. Neither America alone
nor Asia unaided could have produced
her sweetness, this frank perfection.
She heard the rush of madmen through
her palace-all the dread, Sanguinary
confusion above and around-yet did
not tremble. It did not occur to her
TO be afraid. Her thoughts held to
other issues. The wise writings of
two continents had tempered her mind.
Unlike those who knew the fruits
of one land or one age only, Helen
was wildly aware of life in a larger
pattern, and though her keenness was
y L
her eyes, and was mysteriously con-
veyed to him.
I She smiled a little. 81 do not see
what is to come"
''Will you give the order to prepare
many camels Immediately for a long
march.
HAS not my father done so?'
! 81 agreed to arrange for it, He is
occupied at present" Con eluded again.
He went to the door and signaled to
the nearest rioter. who stopped bis
lplay of tormenting a wounded Nubian.
and came stumbling across the thresh-
old of the princess. Con stated the
needs to the girl, who spoke to the
Chinese. Flu All, in his own Ian
guage; and the latter, with supreme
disgust stenciled across his face, re-
peated the order to the man from the
mines. The dwarf, abased himself,
having expected a death-blOw instead
OF oral instructions, and crawled out
at the door.
There are mountains to the north"
said the princess to Lexington.
'And forests" he added. do you
think there is better direction for
US? We must not tarry."
| mo. We go to the north"
| Flu All then received further per-
sonal wishes from his mistress. To
Lexington she explained:
81 am sending him up the stair
way. for things 1 shall require. Kind
~ go with him and see that he is not
struck dead by your butchers"
|
! his cheeks burned. Her bitterness
was iron. Had he not upset the world?
Escorting old Flu All down the cor
ridOr, Con went up with him TO see
what gross mischief was being work
ed in the higher floors. The top of
the stairs was clogged by two bodies,
miners who had failed to quell two
stalwart sons of warriors, who also
lay quiet now 4 little way "own the
hall. The tide of dwarfs had passed
on.
While Flu All delved in treasure of
silk and leather and silver. Lexington
found an outer window. Far along
the road beyond the city gates, he
noted two slaves mounted on camels.
The beasts were pacing at their ut
most, southwark, their mission to bear
word of alarm to the distant company
of riders. Con examined the carbine
in his hands. Resting the barrel upon
the latch of the open window, he aim
ed very carefully. and pressed the long
trigger. He repeated this process four
times. and was then ready to go down
stairs with the old servant
when we leave" he said to Helen,
overcoming n reluctance to speak,
these little half-men from the mines
will close the gates after u.s. Your
warriors, in returning. will re IN
able to force an entrance until we
have gained a greater distance to the
north"
do not say my warriors" She
hesitated, then added: do not heed
my words, if they are quick. 1 would
not turn back
She was smiling gravely. Her hand
came out ITO him.
"a princess may speak. as she
chooses" said Lexington.
Not to her equals"
The city was conquered, overrun
The new caravan was being prepared
for immediate departure Con, feel.
ing that he was not needed elsewhere
had a strong reason for remaining
where he was, against the possibility
that some bold pillaging party might
come and find her alone.
He endeavored to assist in the bur
ried gathering together of lovely gar
ments. but he was useless Also, the
delicate spice that arose from certain
of the dresses was like a thin knife
in him.
The door opened. The silent figure
of Chez Ming stood before them, hi:
robe torn. and marks of violence about
his head. steady. gray-faced. tens.
with anger.
Helen paused beside the bamboo
chest She felt a sudden renewal O.
the ties Of many years. Con sensec
, the situation. and waited The VIII
advanced upon the rug.
} 81 CO." said Helen In English. Che,
Ming replied shortly In foreig1
/ speech 81 go. at once" she repeated
: and her persistence with the EngiisI
J seemed. TO clear the air. 1t was he
/. f7ecIa ration ff choice Claor Mine ~.