The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1921-05-06

Of Our Palace Lay snow-Whlts
Egg.
For nearly Ave years ten soldiers OF
the jeddak's Guard had constantly
stood over II. and not a day passed
when was IN the city that DeJah
ThorIs and did not stand hand In
hand before our little shrine planning
for the future, when>the delicate she'll
should break.
Vivid IN my memory Is the picture
Of the last night as we sat there talk
Ing In low tones OF the strange ro-
nance which had woven our lives to-
gether and OF this wonder which was
coming to augment our happiness and
fulill our hopes.
In the distance we saw the bright
white light Of an approaching airship,
but we attached no special significance
TO so common a sight. Like bolt OF
lightning It raced toward Hel!um until
Its very speed bespoke the unusual.
Flashing the signals which pro-
claimed II a dispatch bearer for the
jeddak. II circled impatiently awaiting
the tardy patrol boat which must con.
voy It to the palace docks.
Ten minutes after II touched at the
palace message called me to the
council chamber. which found flling
with the members Of that body.
On the raised platform OF the throne
was fardos Mors, pacing back and
forth with tense-drawn face. When
all were In their seats he turned to-
ward US.
'This morning." he said. WORD
reached the several governments OF
Barsoom that the keeper OF the atmos-
phere plant had made no wireless re-
port for two days, nor had almost
ceaseIess calls upon him from a score
OF capitals ELECTED sign OF response.
All day thousand cruisers have been
searching for him until, Just now, one
OF them returns bearing his dead body,
which was found in the pits beneath
his house horribly mutilated by some
assassin.
II do not need 10 tell you what this
means to Barsoom. II would take
months TO penetrate those mighty
walls, IN fact the work has already
commenced, and there would be little
TO fear were the engine OF the pumping
plant to run as II should and as they
all have for hundreds OF years; but the
has hannanal Tho
instruments show rapidly decreasing
air pressure on all parts OF Barsoom-
the engine has stopped.
"My gentlemen" he concluded. I'VE
have at best three days to live"
There was absolute silence for sew
eral minutes, aud then n young noble
arose, and with his drawn sword held
high above his head addressed Tardos
Mors.
1.-THE men of Ilellum have prided
themselves that they have ever shown
BarSoom Iowa uaiion OF red men
should live, moss Is our opportunity to
show them how they should die. Let
us go about our duties a, though
lnOuSslilh il,fl VI aFli> sun IVY NtAfit
us"
The chamber ring with applause
and as there was rcihing better 10 10
than TO allay tl,e fears OF the people
by our example we Went our ways
with smiles upon our faces and sorrow
gnawlnc nj our lcariS.
When returned to my palace
found that The rimor already hal
reached Delah Thoris. 20 told her
all that had heard.
1--WE nave hceh very happy. John
Carter" she said and ! thank what
ever fate oveTtaSes Us that 1t permits
us 20 die together
The next two days brought no no
ilceahic change IN the supply OF air,
hut on the morning Of the third day
breathing became difficult at the high.
er attitudes OF the roof tops. The ave-
rues and plazas Of Hellum we're oiled
with people. All business had ceased.
For the most part the people looked
oravely into the face OF their nnalter-
able doom. Here and there, however,