Cheyenne Wells record., 1921-09-08
CHAPTER x,v-con.,ousd.


and with the roguish dtmples playing
at the corners Of her mouth she made
answer: H
'From the beginning Of time upon
Barsoom It has been the prerogative
Of woman to change her mind a. she
listed and to dissemble in matters con-
cerning her heart. That you viii for
give. Than Kosls, as has your son.
Two days ago was not sure Of his
hove for me. but now am, and !
have come to beg Of you to forget
my rash words and to accept the as
surance Of the princess Of Heiium
that when the time comes she will
wed Sab Than. prince Of zodanga."
II am glad that you have % de-
elded." replied Than Kosis. ut IL far
from my desire to push war further
asainst the people Of Helium. and.
yosr promise shall be recorded and
Q proclamation to my people issued
forthwith. We shall see how the peo-
pie OF Helipm take to peace. shall
at least offer Il to them"
Dejah Thoris. AFTER q few words,
turned and LEFT the apartment. still
followed BY her guards.
Thus WAS the edince OF my brief
dream Of happiness dashed, broken.
to the ground Of reality. The woman
for whom I had offered my life. and
from whose lips I had % recently
heard . declaration Of love for me.
had lightly forgotten my very exist
ence and smilingiy given herself to
the 500 Of her peoples most hated
enemy.
Although I had heard 1t with my
own ears I could not believe It. I
must search out her apartments end
force her to repeat the cruel truth
TO me alone before I would be con-
WINGED. and % deserted my post
and hastened through the passage De-
hind the tapestries toward the door
By which she had left the chamber.
Slipping quietly through this opening
I discovered q maze Of winding corri-
doss. branching and turning In every
direction.
Running rapidly down frst one and
then another Of them I soon became
Aopelessly lost and was standing pant
lAg against q side wall when heard
voaces near me. Apparently they were
coming from the opposite side Of the
part1tioa against which leaned and
presently I made cat he tone ee De-
M ThosiA co1ld not hear the words
bat I knsw that could mot possibly
- nlieAken In the voice.
Walking boldly forward pushed
into the room only to ind myself In
q small antechambee IN which were
he four guards who had accompanied
her. One Of them instantly arose and
accosted NE. asking the nature Of my
SaSlne0.
Fl am from Than Kosis." I replied.
.and wish to speak privately With
Dejah Thoris. princess Of Helium-"
sNo one comes from Than Kosis
without carrying an order o. the pass
word. You must give me one or the
other before you may pass"
The only order require. my friend.
to enter where will. hanss at my
eide. I answered. tapping my long
sword: "will you let me pass In peace
Or nor
you are not here By the order OF
Than Kosis," cried the one who had
Arst addressed me. 'and 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
hope to overcome four Of u.s." he added
with a grim smile.
Ny reply was q quick thrust which
left me but three antagonists and I
can assure you that they were worthy
Of my metal They had me backed
against the wall in no time. fighting
for my life. Slowly worked my way
to q corner Of the room where could
force them to come at me only one at
q time. and thus We fought upward Of
twenty minutes: the Changing of steel
On steel producing q veritable bedlam
In the little room.
The noise had brought Dejah Thoris
to the door OF her apartment, and
there she stood throughout the coodict
with Sola at her back peering over her
shoulder. Her face was set and emo
tionleSs and I knew that she did not
recognize me. nor did So,a-
Finally q lucky cut brought down .
second euardsman and then. with only
two oppoeing me. changed my tacties
and rushed them down after the
fashion Of my lighting that had won
Hf many q Victory. The third feal
.VaeAin tea secoods after ths secood.
1eAa the lak 1lay deaa upoa The bloody
Aoer few na0eats later. They wsre
1eave DsA and nebls ngAters and n
RSeved Ne dat had besn fseesd -
I'm them. bat I woald have Willingly
aePcCalated an Barsoon could I have
reached he slds q ~ Detah TAeetS
n 10 ether way.
SAeatsing ny bloody blade 81
kanceA toward my Marian peaAes0
Who SIN steod nutsly gasing 1t -
VltAsat sien e rsconitioa
swhO are yea. 3eoAnsaAr - WAaD-
bered. .AAotAef sAe0y - AaraO -
u ~ 0Defyr