Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1921-03-18

nan sent only cruelty ana constant OI-
preston. Lexington entered and
closed the door 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.
"Whcre 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 we'll"
your story" she corrected him. 81
was without breath. spoke rapidly
to the guards, pointing. They saw the
loose horse. far out. II was sufficient
They were enraged."
She had crossed the room with n
grace that found every nerve-the gem
| 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 long journey?"
Does my father wish me to gor
yes" he lied.
81 CO."
|
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 trembe. 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 vividly aware of life In larger
pattern, and though her keenness was
young and softly cloaked. 1t shone In
her eyes, and was mysteriously con-
veyed to him.
| She smiled Il little. Il do not see
what is to come
''will you give the order to prepare
many camels Immediately for long
march.
"Has not my father done so7"
IT agreed to arrange for 1t. 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 a wounded Nubian.
and came shambling 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 a supreme
disgust stenciled across his 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,r he added. do you
think there is a better direction for
us? We must not tarry."
"No. We go to the north"
Flu All then received further per-
sonal wishes from his mistress. To
Lexington she explained:
II am sending him up the stair
way, for things l shall require. Kind
| ly go 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
h 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. he
noted two slaves mounted on camels.
The BEASTS were pacing at their ut
] most. southwark. their mission to bear
| word of alarm to the distant company
Of riders. Con examined the carbine
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 go down.
stairs with the old servant.
when we leave" he said to Helen.
overcoming reluctance TO speak.
these little half-men 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
hestated. then added: "Do not heed
my words. If 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"
| no rff