Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1921-03-11
By JEREMY LANE

btNihb iVh hpNt DdN PihiiAJ
outlined. From the crest Lexington
viewed the shadowy secrets of the Sha
Mo. and presently his eyes stopped
on point in the road. at the head of
the ravine. He stared through the
twilight. and saw motionless horse
man there.
He must know. Taking his former
path. down the further side of the
ridge and around to the cut, he has
tened In the loneliness of that gray
dawn. Creeping near he could not
mistake the large. limp hat, the dis
tinctiye fling of the cloak, the pony.
He stood up and ran toward Helen.
what is it?' lie asked.
"They are coming for you at sun
rise,' she said. "They will XIII you
1--WE are ready to receive them"
he said. The miners are not at work,
and are not sleeping. They are walt
Ing. armed. The plan is to full upon
the soldiers If they come into the
mines"
You have caused thIs1"
Yes" he answered
For what reason?"
Freedom, for your father and my
self; for the four workers who were
taken yesterday; for the whole under
ground city of miners; and for you"
For me? l do not ask It,"
you want to be queen?"
yes" And she implied that moth
Ing could be so natural She was sur
prised at the question.
you can be queen In America" he
said, with his soul lmping. "And who
Will remain here for your rule, when
we have done with your army?"
She did not know whether to smile,
or be terribly dlspleased. He dared
not be serious, lest his heart break. In
the gray of the morning she was as
lovely as great moth In an enchanted
garden.
"You would not be Interested in rul-
ing here" said her lover, ''if you really
that gives you this strength. All Asia
Is only n stage-settiug for you. Let me
fight today for you, let me lead In your
name. Is 1t so much to be queen of
solitary city where strangers never
comeT
"Never?" she repeated
After pause. he asked: what
brought you out so early this morn
ing"
Yesterday you were displeased be-
cause rode In the full sunlight" she
PARKED him.
He saw at once that he could not
expect to be given any true reason for
her presence here now. unless
II am thankful l did not miss you,"
he said.
"The dawn colors are full of won
der" she replied. evading again.
"That is true"
Are you afraid to die?" she asked
point-blank.
"Yes, I'm not going to. want to
live. Yesterday ] told you why. but
you were asleep"
II could not respond" said the prin-
cess, glacing away at the dark horizon,
"but ! heard distinctly-your words"
Levington's cheeks burned suddenly
at the revelation. She continued to look
AWAY iApih
u meant my words, all of them"
he said steadily.
Still she did not turn back to him,
and he asked, ''Why do you allow them
to give you the drug?"
II am not so lonely when | dream"
'It places you more securely In the
hands of Chez Ming. and he is no
mans friend"
'He has been my father, always"
she said.
"Ths sleep of yellow men Is not
life-not rulership-fOr you."
would you give me unbappiness
ngaIn?"
Again he felt the tremendous doubt.
that she might he laughing at him
from behind her earnest, lovely eyes.
She looked full In his face for her
answer.
81 will not go away without you,"
said Lexington.
"You may not go at ALL" said Helen.
"That Is why l came here. 1t was
troublesome to arrange. But ! wanted
TO tell you"
"What?"
'If my soldiers kill you, 1t is-not
because l hate you"
Thanks" murmured Lexington. 81
could have, died for less"
"Come with my father the way you
came yesterday. and / will do what
can"
You humble me with so much hon
or" said the one who stood below
her, "but l expect to be very busy with
the miners"
The copper light touched her face.
The pony blinked Mt the east, and
far away Con saw the purple mantle
slip from the city, line of faint gold
upon the loftiest tiles of the palace
Sweetly across the empty world came
the voice OF the hour-gong from the
city. The last stars were melting into