The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1921-05-06
CHAPTER xIV-continued.


! at the corners of her mouth she made
/ answer:
From the beginning of time upoI
/ BarsoOm it has been the prerogative
/ of woman to change her mind as she
listed and to dissemble in matters con
corning her heart. That you will for
give, Than kosis, as has your son
Two days ago | was not sure of his
love for me, but now l am, and
have come to beg of you 10 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. "
Il am glad that you have so de-
cided," replied Than Kosis. 1T 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 PEG
pie Of HeIium take TO peace. l 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 / had offered my life. and
from whose lips I 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 [ had heard it with my
own ears [ could not believe it. 1
must search out her apartments and
force her to repeat the cruel truth
to me alone before 1 would be con
WINGED, and 50 l deserted my post
and FASTENED through the passage be-
hind the tapestries toward the door
by which she had left the chamber.
Slipping quietly through this opening
/ discovered a maze of winding corri-
doris. 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 1 heard
voices near me. Apparently they were
partition against which ] leaned ana
presently 1 made out the tone of De-
jah ThOris l could not hear the words
but l knew that / could not possibly
be mistaken in the voice.
Walking boldly forward I pushed
into the room only to find myself in
n small antechamber in which were
the four guards who had accompanied
her One of them instantly arose and
accosted me, asking the nature Of my
business.
Il am from Than Kosis," 1 replied,
"and wish to speak privately with
Deiah Thoris. princess of HeIium."
mo 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 l require, my friend,
to enter where 1 viii, hangs at my
side" Unanswered. tapping my long |
sword "wiIl 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. land not only shall |
YOU not enter the apartments of the |
princess of Helium, but you shall 90 /
back TO Than KOsis under guard TO eX-
plain this unwarranted temerity. |
Throw down your sword; you cannot |
nope TO overcome four of u.s." he added I
With a grim smile.
My reply was a quick thrust which
eft me but three antagonists and |
an assure you that they were worthy
If my metal. They had me backed
against the wall in no time, fighting
or my life. Slowly | worked my way
o Il corner of the room where l could
orce them To come at me only one at
time. and thus we fought upward of
wenty minutes: the changing of steel
IN steel producing a veritable bedlam
II the little room.
The noise had brought Dejah Thoris
o the door of her apartment, and
here she stood throughout the conflict
With Sofa at her back peering over her
boulder. Her face was set and emo
ionless and l knew that she did not
me. nor did Soda
Finally a lucky cut brought down
econd guardsman and then, with only
wo opposing me. 1 changed my tactics
nd rushed them down after the
ashton Of my fighting that had won
he many victory. The third fell
-ithin ten seconds after the second.
nd the last lay dead upon the bloody
DOR a few moments later. They were
rave men and noble fighters, and it
rieved me that / had been forced to
i'll them. but | would have willingly
all Barsoom could / have
cached the side Of my Dejah Thoris
no other way.
Sheatbing my bloody blade I adj
inced toward my Marian princess.
no still stood mutely gazing at me
ithOut sign of recognition. !
"Who are you, Zodangan?" she wills
cred. Another enemy to harass me
my misery?"
81 am a friend" answered, "a once a
lerished friend" g
"No friend of Helium's princess v
ears that metal" she replied, land
t the voiceI / have heard it before; o
is MOTT cannot be-no, for he is
,ad.' v
II Is. though, my princess, none 9TH fl
than John Carter" / said. do you a
It recognize. even through paint and Il
range metal, the heart of your chief | %