The Washington herald., 1920-03-01
YeHou Men Sleep
By JEREMY LANE.
CHAPTER 2o.-continued.
Copyright 1910. By The Century Col

Here On the walls. hanging amid
the most priced trophies-scimitars
of Persia, antique firearms or
Cathay, and jeweled knives OF
Hindu hill-princes--were the weap-
ons recently taken from Andrew
March, also the carbine Lexington
hod once bought for better luck.
He repossessed himself.
Down a corridor that thundered
with the lust of benighted men.
Lexington went to Helen's door, and
bade the nearest of his followers
remain outside. They clamored and
contented themselves with explor-
ing passages and winding stairs, and
halls and secret rooms from which
their lords had sent only cruelty
and constant oppression. Lexington
entered, and closed the door behind
MIN, and narrowly missed the SLASH
of a sword in the hands of the
familiar Chinese servant Con took
the weapon from Flu All, and COM
mended him for his zeal.
'gwhere is my father" asked the
princess.
HE Is with another division Of
the men. We will go to him direct
ly. You told your story very well"
Your story" she corrected him.
II was without breath. 1 spoke
rapidly to the guards. pointing. They
saw the loose horse. far out. 1t was
sufficient They were enraged."
She had crossed the room with a
grace that found every nerve-the
gentleness of the Oriental in her
step. but more than that, the clear
limbed assurance of an American
girl Lexington bowed and burned.
He managed to inquire. Are you
ready to go on a long journeyT
ITO the north. quickly"
She held silent, and then her
voice was low: You have broken
my hope of empire
You will be a queen in America" I"
You are driving me from my city
Of beautiful things" she said
thoughtfully.
1T is death. fast or slow, to re-
main," he replied. Oddly, he felt that
IL was his fate, and his empire, and
not her own. that were at stake.
Does my father wish me to go?'
Yes" he lied.
II CO."
when We leave" he said to
Helen, overcoming a reluctance to
speak. these little half-men from
the mines will close the gates after
us. Your warriors, in returning,
will be unable to force an entrance
until we have gained a greater dis
tance to the north"
do not say my warriors She
hesitated, then added: do not heed
my words. If they are quick. ]
would not turn back"
She was smiling gravely. Her
hand came out to him.
"A princess may speak as she
chooses" said Lexington.
Not to her equals"
The city was conquered, overrun.
| The new caravan was being pre-
pared for immediate departure. Con,
| feeling that he was not needed else
where. had a strong reason for re-
naming where he was. against the
possibility that some bold pillaging
party might come and find her
alone.
| He endeavored to assist in the
hurried gathering together of lovely
garments, but he was useless. Also
the delicate spice that arose from
certain of the dresses was like a
thin knife in him. Once again the
image of the hotel clerk at the
Tourist House intruded itself amid
this beauty. that koresh- haunted
Englishman.
Flu All brought down a large light
chest, woven of bamboo and tied
with wiry vines. In this Heller
packed her necessities for a Journey
of many days. 1t was their final
moment of leisure, and Con took
time to wonder what she would dc
-, ha Of
would have no difficulty in estab'
fishing her reign as queen. infor-
mally. He thought it over. glancins
at her. She possessed perfect frank.
ness, her modesty had no flaw; but
who would tell her that ner robe al
the breast was but loosely folded
across? Who would have the delica'
cy to look away when fler dropping
patterned sleeves fell back? What
miracle of self command would keeI
Lexington silent. when every turr
of her body evoked his love?
! The door opened. The silent figure
OF Chez Ming stood before them. his
robe torn, and marks of violence
about his head. STEADY, gray-faced
tense with anger.
Helen paused beside the bamboo
lcheSt. She felt sudden feneWal OF
the ties of many years. Con sensec
the situation. and waited. The vizier
advanced upon the rug.
II CO." said Helen in English
Chez Ming replied shortly in foreign
speech. II go, at once" she re-
peated, and her persistence with the
English seemed to clear the air. II
was her declaration of choice. Chez
Ming was speaking to her, great
calmness spread over his intense
rage. His eyes grew magnetic with
hate. His dream cosmos wa:
crumbling. The princess appeared
not to hear him. She said pleasant
Ily: "I am taking Carlyle to reac
ION the way, and the Aquarian Cos
pei"
(To Be continued.)