The Raymer enterprise., 1921-03-31

rowlp missed the slash of sword In
the hands Of the familiar Chinese sery.
ant Con took the weapon from Flu
All, and commended him for his zeal.
"Where is my father?' asked the
princess.
"He Is with another division Of the
men. We will 90 to him directly. You
told your story very we'll"
"Your story" she corrected him. Il
was without breath. spoke rapidly
to the guards, pointing. They saw the
loose horse, far out. 1t was sufficient.
They were enraged."
She had crossed the room with
grace that found every nerve-the gen.
tleness OF the oriental In her step,
but more than that, the clear-limbed
assurance Of an American girl. Lev
ington bowed and burned. He man
aged to inquire: Are you ready to
60 on long Journey"
Does my father wish me TO gor
"Yes," he lied
II CO."
There was nothing OF koresh about
her now. unless In the faint shadows
below her eyes. Neither America alone
nor Asia unaided could have produced
her sweetness, this frank perfection.
She heard the rush OF madmen through
her palace-all the dread, sangulnary
confusion above and around-yet did
not tremble. II did not occur to her
to be- afraid. Her thoughts held to
other issues. The wise writings Of
two continents had tempered her mind.
Unlike those who knew the fruits
Of one land or one age only, Helen
was vividly aware Of life In n larger
pattern, and though her keenness was
young and softly cloaked, II shone In
her eyes. and was mysteriously con-
veyed to him.
She smiled Il little. II do not zee
what Is to come"
"Will you give the order TO prepare
many camels Immediately for long
march.
HAS not my father done so?"
Il agreed 10 arrange for II. He Ia
occupied at present" Con eluded again.
He went 10 the door and signaled to
the nearest rioter. who stopped bis
play OF tormentine Il wounded Nubian.
and came shambllDg across the thresh.
old Of the princess. Con stated the
needs to the girl, who spoke to the
Chinese. . Flu All. In his own Ian.
guagc; and the latter. with supreme
disgust stenciled across his face. re-
peated the order to the man from the
mines. The dwarf. abased himself.
having expected Il death-blow instead
Of oral Instructions. and crawled out
at the door.
There are mountains to the n0rth.'
said the princess to Lexington.
And forests" he added. "Do you
think there is better direction for
usl We must not tnrry."
"No. We 60 to the north.'
Flu All then received further per
sonal wishes from his mistress. To
Lexington she explained:
~ am sending him up the stair.
way, for things shall require. Kind
ly 20 with him and see that he Is not
struck dead by your butchers"
Lexington bowed again, silently, and
his cheeks burned. Her bitterness
was iron. Had he not upset the worldi
Escorting old Flu All down the cor
ridor. Con went up with him to see
what gross mischief was being work
ed In the higher floors. The top Of
the stairs was rlogged by two bodies.
miners who had failed TO Guel two
stalwart sons of warriors, who also
lay quiet now n little way 'own the
hall. The tide Of dwarfs had passed
on.
While Flu All delved In treasure Of
silk and leather and silver Lexington
found an outer window. Far along
the road beyond the city gates, he
noted two slaves mounted on camels.
The beasts were pacing at their ut.
word Of alarm to the distant company
of riders. Con examined the carblne
In his hands. Resting the barrel upon
the latch Of the open window, he aim.
ed very carefully, and pressed the long
trigger. He repeated this process four
times, and was then ready to 20 down.
stairs with the old servant.
when we leave" he said to Helen.
overcoming reluctance to speak.
these little halfmen from the mines
will close the gates after us. Your
warriors, In returning, will be un-
able to force an entrance until we
have gained greater distance to the
north"
"Do not say my warriors" She
hesitated, then added: "Do not heed
my words, II they are quick. would
not turn back"
She was smiling gravely. Her hand
came out to him.
"A princess may speak as she
chooses" said Lexington.
"Not to her equals"
The city was conquered. overrun.
The new caravan was being prepared
for immediate departure. Con. feel.
Ing that he was not needed elsewhere.
had a strong reason for remaining
| where he Haa axainst TIA r,ossihilitr