Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1920-11-11

J BY Deane Malott (
. . Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q 3

| ASeoht 10 tnt vi
a short story, "The Princess and the
Python" which appears In the 0cto-
Der issue OF the Dread Magazine. The
publication Is issued by the Quill
club, an organization at the Univer-
sity OF Kansas whose members are
specializing In, journalism, and Of
which Mr.. Malott is president this
year. The story follows:
The Princess and the Python
The gay audience In one of the
brilliantly lighted downtown vaude-
vile theatres was awaiting the last
attraction OF the evening The large
orchestra was playing a lively fan
tasy while many I'm the crowd con-
versed with their neighbors or con-
suited their programs to find that the
concluding number was the appear
ance. for the first time In America,
Of the Princess KOtah. Hindu snake
charmer.
Suddenly the lights went out. the
music ceased, and the great curtain
slowly arose on dimly lighted scene
in the tropical jungles. The light
became brighter and revealed at the
back of the stage a virescent maze
Of ferns, giant rubber trees. and trop-
ical vines.
On either side of the stage sat
cross-legged swarthy, stolid Hindu
with white turban and green silk
mantle. Beside each man was a
skin covered tom tom and an Oriental
burner, from which mystic,
scented smoke wraiths curled slowly
up into the foliage above.
Softly the orchestra began to play
a weird. plaintive melody Of the Far
East. Then from the right appear
ed the Princess Kotah. dressed in
white Indian silks. draped artlstically
about her stately figure. Her dark
skin and large black eyes contrasted
strangely with her respondent jewel
I'd head-dress and pearl necklace and
earrings. With all the dignity of
he Orient. she walked slowly and
to the center Of the stage
md salaamed to the audience.
Then she turned and began to ut
er a native chant in a low melodic
one. The dreamy mysticism Of all
ndia seemed embodied in her liquid
,oice. The two Hindu slaves began
soft tattoo on the tom-toms. Soon
here was stir in the artificial jun
lie. Slowly and silently great,
lack python glided out from its
eafy home. Its gaze fastened itself
N those great overpowering eyes Of
he Princess Kotah. Gracefully she
waved her wand-like arms, directing
he snakes movements. Never for
moment did the intent gaze of their
yes part, as the huge serpent fol-
owed her while she moved to the
ront Of the stage.
Then suddenly the Princess gave
start Of horror and turned deathly
ale. Her hands clutched convulsive-
? at her breast, and in her eyes ap-
cared look Of mortal terror.
BY some strange, unforeseen and
Unknown force, she had lost her COM
cling power over the great python.
'hich had glided to the edge Of the
,otlights and was stealthily watch
IL the audience. It's eyes shone
18th the iridiscent green Of cunning. +,
lowly it coiled its great body tot.
wing. The audience gasped and re-
aimed as though Fpetrified. Those in
e first rows half arose from their
ats, but could not take their gaze
ON the fascinating. awful eyes Of
e snake.
Just as the serpent was about to %
ring into the crowd, the Hindu
RI rushed up and grasped it back
the head. With little cry, she
ing it from her toward the back Of
e stage with all her strength.
Kissing, it struck the floor. and,
lift as lightning. recoiled and Gid
to the feet Of the princess. Then
and around her delicate form 1t
appel it's Shiny coils. It's tongue ,
rted continually from its mouth,
its eyes were bright red points Of j
e. The Hindu tom-tom beaters had
d, leaving the girl alone to meet
r death. Apparently none dared go
her aid. Alone on the big stage, {
III her eyes closed, the Princess
tab awaited the ringing down of
, great curtain Of life. Slowly the
at, straining sinews of the python
ran to crush her to death.
From somewhere out in the aud =
ce a woman screamed. Then all III
s still, as the spectators gazed en- -