The Connecticut labor news., 1921-09-09
"A Princess of Mars" uIIIIIln by EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS uIIIIIIIN
Copyright, A. C. McClurg & Company

at the corners of her mouth she made answer:
 "From the beginning of time upon BarsOOm 1t has been the prerOgative of woman to change her mind as she listed and to dissemble in matters con- cerning her heart. That you will for give, Than Kosis, as has your son. Two days ago I was not sure of his love for me, but now l am, and I have come to beg Of you to forget my rash words and to accept the as surance of the princess of Helium that when the time comes she will wed Sab Than, prince of Zodanga."
 II am glad that you have so de cided," replied Than Kosis. Tt is far from my desire to push war further against the people of Helium, and, your promise shall be recorded and a proclamation to my people issued forthwith. We shall see how the peo- pie of Helium take to peace. I shall at least offer it to them."
 Dejah Thoris, after a few words, turned and left the apartment, still followed by her guards.
 Thus was the edifice of my brief dream of happiness dashed, broken, to the ground of reality. The woman for whom I had offered my life, and from whose lips 1 had so recently heard a declaration of love for me, had lightly forgotten my very exist ence and smilingly given herself to the son of her peoples most hated enemy.
 Although I had heard it with my own ears I could not believe it. l must search out her apartments and force her to repeat the cruel truth to me alone before l would be con- vinced and so 1 deserted my post and hastened through the passage be- hind the tapestries toward the door by which she had left the chamber. Slipping quietly through this opening I discovered a maze of winding cOrri dors. branching and turning in every direction.
 Running rapidly down first one and then another of them I soon became hOpelessly lost and was standing pant ing against a side wall when I heard voices near me. Apparently they were coming from the opposite side of the partition against which 1 leaned and presently I made out the tone of De- jah Thors. I could not hear the words but l knew that 1 could not possibly be mistaken in the voice.
 Walking boldly forward I pushed into the room only to find myself in a small antechamber m which were the four guards who had accompanied her One of them instantly arose and accosted me, asking the nature of my business.
 "I am from Than Kosis," I replied "and wish to speak privately with Dejah Thoris, princess of Helium."
 No one comes from Than Kosis without carrying an order or the pass word. You must give me one or the other before you may pass"
 ''The only order require, my friend, to enter where I will, hangs at my side,'' I answered, tapping my long sword twill you let me pass in peace or no?"
 You are not here by the order of Than KOsis," cried the one who had first addressed me. "and not only shall you not enter the apartments of the princess of Helfum, but you shall go back to Than Kosis under guard to ex- plain this unwarranted temerity Throw down your sword; you cannot hope to overcome four of us," he added with grim smile.
 My reply was a quick thrust which left me but three antagonists and I can assure you that they were worthy of my metal. They had me backed against the wall in no time, fighting for my life. Slowly I worked my way to a corner of the room where I could force them to come at me only one at a time, a1fd thus we fought upward of twenty minutes: the changing of steel