The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-03-10

Mo, and presently his eyes stopped
on point In the road, at the head of
the ravine. He stared through the
twilight, and saw motionless horse
man there.
lie must know. Taking his former
path, down the further side of the
ridge and around to the cut, he has
tened In the loneliness of that gray
dawn. Creeping near he could not
mistake the large, limp hat, the dis
tlnctive fling of the cloak. the pony.
lie stood up and ran toward Helen.
What is it7' he asked.
They are coming for you at sun
rise she said. "They will kill you"
I'VE are ready to receive them"
ne said. THE miners are not at work,
and are not sleeping. They are wait
ing armed. The plan is to fall upon
the soldiers IL they come into the
mines"
You have caused this?"
yes" he answered.
For what reason?"
freedom, for your father and my
selr; Tor the four workers who were
taken yesterday; for the whole under
ground city of miners; and for YOU"
For me? 1 do not ask It,"
You want to be queen?'
Yes" And she implied that moth.
ing could be so natural. She was sur
prised at the question.
lyon pan ha a nna,,, L.. .,
said, with his soul llmping. "And who
VIII remain here for your rule, when
we have done with your army?"
She did not know whether to smile.
or be terribly dlspleased. He dared
not be serious, lest his heart break. In
the gray Of the morning she was as
lovely as great moth In an enchanted
garden.
You would not be interested in rul-
Ing here" said her lover, "if you really
belonged here. 1t Is your white blood
that gives you this strength. All Asia
Is only stage-setting for you. Let me
fight today for you. let me lead In your
name. Is II so much to be queen of a
solitary city where strangers never
conner"
"Never?" she repeated.
After pause, he asked: "what
brought you out so early this morn
ingT"
Yesterday you were displeased be-
cause | rode In the full sunlight" she
parried him..
He saw at once that he could not
expect to be given any true reason for
her presence here now, unless
II am thankful l did not miss you,"
he said.
'The dawn colors are full OF won
der" she replied, evading again.
THAT Is true"
"Are you afraid to dIe?" she asked
"Yes, I'm not going to. I want to
live. Yesterday l told you why. but
you were asleep"
II could not respond" said the prin-
cess, glacing away at the dark horizon,
but ! heard distinctly-yOur words"
Levington's cheeks burned suddenly
at the revelation. She continued to look
away from him.
II meant my words, all of them"
he said steadily.
Still she did not turn back to him.
and he asked, "Why do you allow them
to give you the drug"
II am not so lonely when I dream"
1T places you more securely In the
hands of Chez Ming. and he is no
mans friend"
"He has been my father, always"
She said.
"This sleep Of yellow men Is not
Iife-not rulership-for you"
Would you give me unhappiness
lgaIn7"
Again he felt the tremendous doubt.
that she might be laughing at him
from behind her earnest. lovely eyes.
She looked full In his face for her
answer.
II will not go away without you."
said Lexington.
"You may not 90 at ALL" said Helen. |
That Is why l came here. 1t was
troublesome to arrange. But l wanted
to tell you"
"WhatT
"If my soldiers kill you, 1t is-not |
because l hate you"
Thanks" murmured Lexington. 'T |
,ould have died for less"
"Come with my father, the way you
,ame yesterday, and will do what / |
,an."
You humble me with so much hon
'r," said the one who stood below
Ter, 'but expect to be very busy with
he miners"
The copper light touched her face.
The pony blinked at the east, and |
ar away Con saw the purple mantle
lip from the city, a line OF faint golL ,
lpon the loftiest tiles Of the palace.
;weetly across the empty world came
he voice Of the hour-gong from the
ity. The last stars were melting into