Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1921-01-08
TIIustra4ed by
lrrin Myers

| Ildu sent Ouly cruelty anu COuSlduI UP
preston. Lexington entered and
closed the dosr behind him, and mar
rowly missed the slash of sword In
the hands Of the familiar Chinese serv-
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 go to him directly. You
told your story very WELL"
your story" she corrected him. IT
was without breath. / spoke rapidly
to the guards, pointing. They saw the
loose horse, far out. 1t was sufficient.
They we're enraged."
She had crossed the room with a
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
go on a long Journey"
Does my father wish me to go?"
EYES," he lied.
81 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, sanguinary
confusion above and around-yet did
not tremble. 1t 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 wildly aware of life in larger
pattern, and though her keenness was
young and softly cloaked, 1t shone in
her eyes, and was mysterlousy con-
veyed to him.
She smiled a little. II do not see
what is to come"
| w III YOU SlN0 lliC OlhCl W PE NPoAS
many camels Immediately for long
march.
HAS not my father done sol"
II agreed to arrange for it. He Is
occupied at present" Con eluded again.
He went to the door and sIgnaled to
the nearest rioter, who stopped his
play of tormenting wounded Nubian,
and came stumbling 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
guage; and the latter, with supreme
disgust stenciled across mis- face, re-
peated the order to the man from the
mines. The dwarf, abased himself,
having expected a death-blow instead
of oral instructions, and crawled out
at the door.
"There are mountains to the north,
said the princess to Lexington.
"And forests" he added. do you
think there Is better direction for
us? We must not tarry."
mo. We go to the north"
Flu All then received further per
sonal wishes from his mistress. To
Lexington she explained:
81 am sending him up the stair
way, for things l shall require. Kind
ly 90 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 world
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 clogged by two bodies
miners who had failed to quell two
stalwart sons Of warriors, who also
lay quiet now little way down 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, HI
noted two slaves mounted on camelS
The beasts were pacing at their ut
most, southwark, their mission to beal
word of alarm to the distant compan,
of riders. Con examined the carbln'
in his hands. Resting the barrel upoI
the latch of the open window, he aim
ed very carefully, and pressed the loni
trigger. He repeated this process fou
times, and was then ready to go down
stairs with the old servant.
when we leave" he said to Helen
overcoming a reluctance to speak
these little half-men from the mine
will close the gates after us. You
warriors, In returning, will be TN
able to force an entrance until w
have gained greater distance to tn
north"
do not say my warriors Sh
hesitated, then added: DO not hee
my words, If they are quick. woul
not turn back"
She was smiling gravely. Her han
came out to him.
"A princess may speak as sh
chooses" said Lexington.
mot to her equals"
The city was conquered, overrur
The new caravan was being prepare,
for immediate departure. Con, feel
ing that he was not needed elsewhere
had strong reason for remaining
where he was, against the possibilt.