The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-01-18

DAYS work~to see this tall. friendly
warden OF hers lying dead before her
gaze. the laughter gone from his lips
aud tho light faded from his eyes7
She would be free then 90 strip tho
she'll belt from his waist, lie would
never waken 90 prevent her. She
could escape. too--hack 20 her faith
er's home and leave him In tho cave,
All that he had told her concern
Ing his war with her father 90
CURED 10 her In one vivid flash.
Could Il have been that he had told
the truth--that her father and HIS
followers had been tho attackers In
tho heginning3 She had never be-
llevcd him fully: but could II he that
ha was In tho right MS claim had
hecn invaded. he said. and his ono
friend murdered IN cold blond. Was
this not cause enough. by the code
OF the North. for war OF reprisaif
But even Rs those thoughts came TO
her. she had walked boldly 60 tho
fire and cmptied tho contents OF the
cup into the boiling water In the tea
pot. Ren would have only had 20
look up 90 zee her 10 H. Yet stili he
did not suspect
She waited an instant. steadying
herself for the ordeal 10 coma. Then
she took the pot of tho firc and
poured tho hot contents into the cup
that had Just held tho potion. She
had been careful not 20 put enough
water into tho pot 20 weaken tho
drink. The cup hrimmed. but none
was left She brought n s,camfng =
Rcn's side.
No kindly root trinred her fee, ~
she entered. no rercifui unstend'ncss
caused her 20 drop this cup Of death
and spin rs contents
Thanks Beatrice" Hen looked
up. smiling. I'm a brute % let you
NIX my tea when you are feeling 10
bad. HUT suro am grateful. n that
helps any
His voice so,ffaef far away. nike a
voice In nightmare ITS pretty
strong. I'm afraid abe told him.
The leaves weren't very good. and 7
boiled them too long I'm AFRAID
youT ind u bitter
I'm drink Il. n IT'S bitter aa gall
he assured her. after your kindness
20 IN it,
His hand reached and scixed tho
handle OF the cup. Even now--now---
h. was raising II 20 his lips In an
instant more he would b pouring I,
down bis throat. too confederate %
her 20 admit It's unwhoiesnnc taste.
drinking u down tho Il tasted 'he
potion Of death that n vast Tho
hair seemed 20 star, on her head
Then she seemed TO wrishe as IN
convuision- Her voice rose IN
piercing scream -n<r---Bsr don't
drtrk sft- she cried God have mercy
on my soui,-
But with that ustersncs a strength
surprising that Of sfnew and muscle
returned 70 her. she reached and
Knocked IN. cup from his hand: and
its black contents. iiks dark blood. Z
stained the sandy floor OF the cavern /
Bcn's nrst thought WAS curicusiy |
not OF his own narrow escape. but /
was rather In concern for Bensrfce Z
Whether or not n chad actually
swallowed any Of the liquor In the
cup he cfd not know: nor dif he give
the matter q thought He was aware
Of only the terror-s'ricken Kfri before
him. her face dcsthiy white and her
eyes starting ana vide. He ieaped 20
his feet
Fearing that she was about 10 !
faint he steadied her with his hand
The echo Of her scream died In the
cavern. the cup rolled on the floor
and came 10 a ssandstiil against tho
wall. but stiIl she made no sound.
only gazing as n entrnnced hut
slowly. m he sfcadied her. the blessed
down her white che~ts: and oncc
more breath surred into her iungn.
Never mind. Beatrice the man
was saying. his deep. rourh voice
gentle as woman's Don't cry
please don't cry-fust forget NIL about
H. Let's 80 over 10 your hammock
and rest awhile"
with strong arm he guided her
20 her cot. and smiling kindly. pushed
her down into H. -Just take II easy"
he advised. and forget all shout n.
You'ii he all right in minute"
-fsut you don't underssand--you
don't know-what tried TO do
No matter. TN me after a while.
n you want 10. Don't tell me At all
N you'd rather not I'm going bark
10 my lunch" He laughed. trying 20
bring her 20 herself II wouldn't miss
that caribou steak for anything
even tho I cant have my tea Just
lay down awhile and rest
His rugged fnce lighted az he