Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-05-23

Neaning to them.
Helen had lied candidly and well.
In the wind, a screen of fine sand rose
behind the flight of hOrsemen.
The miners were heartened by their
first favorable turn in their history.
The Arab seized the opportunity TO
inflame them further. They began to
moan with anger, sensing vaguely the
opportunity that had come. The city
was. open and without protection.
Like the rush of a subterranean riv-
er their voices came up, a choking
rumble. InsectHse they surged up
out Of the shaft. In the binding day
light the Arab fell back, and Loving
ION had no choice but to captain them.
He got a joy from it all, fash of
power. They were coming behind him,
score upon score, the honeycombed
earth giving up her sSrangest.
Their faces were hairless and
pinched, griny. Each man had a
weapon. They were a terrifying rab-
BILE. Strong arms carried earth claws
that had yesterday cOmbed the i'm
memorial clay for the seeds of boresh.
There were also daggerS and pointed
horns end a number of dull swords.
From the houses beneath the city
WALL the women and old men ran to
the gates and swung them shut; but
they could not hold back the ugly
swarm of workers. There was
strength in the arms that had toiled
so long underground; new, fierce pow
er in the twisted spines. 1t was a
mad holiday of revolt. The big gates
were pressed in.
Wives and maidens Of the mOnZOul
ran across the lawn, Kalka, Turkish,
and Arabian; delicate feet were MIN
bic beyond the fountains, and the
feminine cries were forbidden music
to the invaders. But there was first
a matter of work to be done. The
miners hurried on, reSistleSs as lava.
Black slaves, and gray and brown,
Whined and crOuched upon the rugs.
1t was early, and the palace was but
half awake. In the throne room, filled
now with golden light, a woman fed,
screaming. Beyond were the mOnzoul's
apartments. This soft and ancient
lord reclined among his feathers and
silks and fans, like a precious grub.
His doorway darkened his slaves went
down, but he gave small heed to the
mob that profaned his chamber. He
was dreaming, perhaps Of dainty white
ankles and the tinkle of wind-bells.
The wrinkles of his countenance
sagged with fat and drug. Now the
braZen teeth of an earth-hoOk gave
him a final caress.
Here, on the walls, hanging amid the
most priced trOphieS-scimitars of Per-
STA, antique firearms of Cathay, and
jeweled knives Of Hindu hill princes
were the weapons receCtly taken from
Andrew March, also the carbine Lev
ing+on had once bought for better
luck. He repOsSesesd himself
Down a corridor that Numbered
With the lust of benighted men, Lev
ington went to HelenS door, and babe
the nearest of his followers remain
outside They clamOred and content
ed themselves with exploring passages
and winding stairs, and halls and
had sent only cruelty and constant op-
preston. Lexington entered and
closed the door behind him, and mar
rowly missed the slash of a 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. 81
was without breath. / spoke rapidly
20 the guards, pointing. They saw the
loose horse, far out. It was sufficient.
They were enraged."
She had crossed the room with
grace that found every nerve-the gen
tleness of the oriental in her step,
but more than tlklt, 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?"
yes" he lied.
81 60"
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 a larger
pattern, and though her keenness was
young and softly cloaked, it shone in
her eyes, and was mysteriously con-
veyed to him.
She smiled little. ST do not see