The Lamar register., 1921-04-27

ieddnk tore himself free from Dejnh
Thoris' grasp aud again we faced each
1ther. He was soon Joined by quar-
tet Of officers and, with my back
against golden throne, l fought once
again for Dejnh Thoris.
Calling Ia her to get behind me
worked my way toward the little door
way back of the throne. but the oiii-
GERS realized my Intentions and three
of them sprang In behind me and
blocked my chances for gaining po-
sltion where ] could have defended
Dejah Thorls against an nrny of
swordsmen.
The Tharks were having their hands
full In the center of the room, and |
began to realize that nothing short OF
Il miracle could save Dejah ThOris and
myself. when saw Tars Tarkas surg
ing through the crowd of pigmles that
swarmed about him. With one swing
of his mighty longsword he laid II
dozen corpses at his feet, and so he
hewed y pathway before him until In
another moment he stood upon the
platform beside me. dealing death and
destruction rlght ana leit-
The bravery of the Zodangans was
awe-inspiring: not one attempted TO
escape. and when the fighting ceased
II was because only Tharks remained
alive In the great hall, other than De-
lnh Thorls and myself.
Sab Than lay dead beside his fa-
ther, and the corpses of the flower Of
zodangnn nobility and chivalry Gov
cred the floor of the bloody shambles.
Ny first thought when the battle
was over was for kantos Kan, and
leaving Dejah Thoris in charge OF Tars
rarkas | took dozen warriors and
hastened To the dungeons beneath the
palace. The jailers had all left to join
the fighters In the throne room. 50 we
searched the labyrinthine prison with
out opposition.
called Kantos Kan's name aloud In
each new corridor and compartment.
and finally was rewarded by hearing
faint response. Guided by the
sound. we soon found him helpless in
dark recess.
He was overjoyed at seeing me and
to know the meaning of the fight. faint
echoes OF which had reached his pris-
on cell. lie told me thar the air pa
troll had captured him before lie
reached the high tower OF the palace,
So that he had not even seen Sab
Than.
The sounds Of heavy firing, mingled
with shouts and cries, came to US from
the city's streets. and Tars Tarkas
fastened away To direct the fighting
without. Kantos Kan accompanied
him to act as guide, the green warriors
commencing thorough search of the
palace for other Zodangans and for
loot, and DeIah ThOris and l We're left
alone.
She had sunk into one of the golden
thrones. aud as turned to her she
greeted me with wan smile.
''Was there ever such man,' she
exclaimed. alone. a stranger, hunt
ed, threatened. prosecuted. you have
done in few short months what In
all the past ages Of Barsoom no man
has ever done: Joined together the
wild hordes of the sea bottoms and
nTouElll lneul 10 uNAl hS diles vi u Itu
Marian people"
THE answer is easy. Dejah Thoris," !"
l replied. smiling. at was not | who
did It, II was love, love for Dejah
Thoris, power that would work
greater miracles than this you have
seen. have done many strange
things In my life, many things that
wiser men would not have dared, but
never in my widest fancies have
dreamed of winning Dejah Thoris
for myself-for never had | dreamed
that in all the universe dwelt such a
woman us the princess OF Helium.
That you are a princess does not sbssb
me but that you are you is enough
to make me doubt my sanity as / ask
you, my princess. to be mine"
He does not need to be abashed
who so well knew the answer to his
plea before the plea were made" she
replied. rising and placing her dear
hands upon my shoulders, and so l
took her In my arms and kissed her.
And thus In the midst of a city of
wild conflict, filled with the alarms of
war; with death and destruction reap
ing their terrible harvest around her,
did Dejah Thoris. princess of Helium,
true daughter of Mars the god Of war,