Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner. (Elizabeth, Colo.) 1920-1921, 1921-03-04

into deeper rest again. noted that the
spaces in the caves were seething with
little ugly men. whose twisted spines
bobbed in n light that was sickish ana
cold. The crowd seemed to grow as
the hours passed. as II the innermost
crevices of earth were giving up their
human ants. More hoeiike weapons
were brought. to add to the rusty
knives. There were tubes for blow
Ing darts. containing now long ac-
cumulation of the dust of peace. In
fact. the present generation could not
recall day of revolt in their subter-
ranean history. The Arabian sailor
rushed about all this night like one
possessed. his old hopes ignited.
Primitive military system prevailed.
The horde was grouped into units.
There were lieutenants. The white
men when wakened would rank as
colonies. with no less person than
the Arab as their generalissimo.
The miners seemed lost in dull
glow of excitement. Within their lives
nothing had occurred to interrupt the
next days labor. The selling of their
four brothers had not seemed unusual.
but the effect promised an infinity of
new turns. There was no thought of
sleep. The old humors of an uprising
seemed at last about to be fulfilled.
The hour was near, their lot cast
Every tortured heart was eased some
what of Its burden of hate in the pros
pect o: action. They had never before
attempted to express their loathing of
the city, of their masters.
They had been born to pain, toll, ST.
lence. Home, shop. and grave were
one to them. There We're no families.
From some warriors house in the city
each man-child returned To the pits
crippled forever. its spine an arch OF
horror. There was seldom any way Of
identifying the broken creature of ten
or twelve. All thought of parentage
was lost. When. by chance, kinship
was re-establshed, such meeting was
but a renewal of bitterness.
And always in the city cellars the
precious store of roots grew and grew.
On the far edges of the state tine
essence of thee roots was bartered
or exchanged for silver. Always the
yellow bowl in the apartment of the
future queen was kept filled with
dream potency. The state religion
was perpetuated in the lower ROOM
WHICH was so situated as TO be symbolic
of Its connection with the source of
all dreams the mines themselves.
Thus Chez Ming wrought upon the
whole world the substance of his medi-
tations-the vlzlr' whose thln eyelids
had never been touched ana soothed
ana damned ny one talnt OF koresh-
HIS web was spreading beyond the
sea. lie chose the blood OF princes
and of queens to blend Mt his leisure,
IN MS own Interpretation OF right Inc
old monzoul had become no more than
a warm siiken bag OF clay under the
skinny hands OF ms Vizir. Chee Ming
was ready to rule the planet entire.
Now In the caverns, the miners were
eating, wherever they stood. sticks
flicking in and out of brown Jars. the
women sinking about IN mortal fear.
1t was long after midnight. March
dropped down beside Lexington.
Surprising the riders do not come"
"Fhey'n wait Tor daylight. They
have the four They fee. sure of us. '
Inc TWO friends sat little way on
from the swarm, ana looked IDLY into
the gas-hre. Con grew drowsy with
the warmth IN his face. After while
he said. The green hair OF
You mean the gas?"
Yes, the way 1t comes up and floats,
like something drowned In air. That's
the flowing green hair-rather fiendish.
l can't say what l mean"
IF the fire happened to go out" said
March. we should all go out with it.
From what depth do you suppose II
comesE
March looked quickly at MS comrade
ana smiled. You are sleepy.
Eyes. I'll take n nan here Rut do