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

'There are mountains TO the norru,
said the princess to Lexington.
"And forests" he added do you
think there is a better direction for
us? We must not tarry."
mo. We go to the north"
Flu All then received further per-
sonal wishes from his mistress. To
Lexington she explained:
81 am sending him up the stair
way, for things 1 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
what gross mischief was being work
ed n 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 a little way Gown 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 a 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 a greater distance to the
north"
"Do not say my warriors She
heSitated, then added: "DO not heed
my words, if they are quick. 1 would
not turn back"
She was smiling gravely. Her hand
came out to him.
"a princess may speak as she
chooses" said Lexington.
mot to her equals"
The city was conquered, Overrun.
The new caravan was being prepared
for immediate departure. Con, feel
ing that he was not needed elsewhere
had a strong reason for remaining
where he was, against the possibility
that some bold pillaging party might
come and find her alone.
He endeavored to assist in the hur-
ried gathering together of lovely gar
ments but he was useless. Also, the
delicate spice that arose from certain
of the dresses was like thin knife
in him.
The door opened. The silent figure
of Chez Ming stood before them, his
robe torn, and marks of violence about
his head, steady, gray-faced, tense
with anger.
Helen paused beside the bamboo
chest. She felt a sudden renewal of
the ties of many years. Con sensed
the situation, and waited. The vizir
advanced upon the rug.
81 co." said Helen in English. Chez
Ming replied shortly in foreign
speech. 81 go, at once" she repeated,
and her persistence with the English
seemed to clear the air. 1t was her
declaration of choice. Chez Ming was
speaking to her, a great calmnesS
spread over his intense rage. His eyes
grew magnetic with hate. His dream
cosmos was crumbling. The princess
appeared not to hear him. She said
pleasantly: 81 am taking Carlyle to
read on the way, and the Aquarium
Gospel"
These two volumes were placed on
top of the fineries of all Asia. Chez
Ming had turned to the white man.
Lexington said, 81 am setting free
your prisoners"
do the same"
"NIy riders return" said the vizir
steadily.
Not yet" said Lexington.
He saw a thin brass tube in tbs
yellow hands. In flash he was upon
the old man, before the blower could
be raised to the narrow lips. 1t was
no task to subdue the vizir with physi-
cal force, for the Chinese had lost
courage, his leathery sinews slack
ened. The darts fell to the floor. Hell
en- lifted the tube and placed it il
the bosom of her dress. She was not
smiling.
Upon the windOw-ledge rested the
yellow bowl. Con picked up the vizir
and carried him across to it. He forced
back Chez Ming's arms and drew
up his chin rather inconveniently. No
sound came from the Chinese, to whom
such a defeat must have been thrice
bitter and unbearable. The koresh in
the bowl was cool to Cons fingers,
the scent that arose was spice and
brandy. He. applied the blush oil