Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-04-11

the rug as this young royalty brushed
past. The prince wore no queue. He
looked a moment at the white pris-
oners, close up, much as child re-
CARDS two stuffed apes. He gave no
heed to the assembly. The royal litter
came gliding up, carried by six slaves.
In this the prince reclined his length.
Swiftly he was borne away, his car
riers moving like shadows. His high
ness had uttered not a word.
A dull confusion of voices closed
in around March and Lexington.
"What was our friend saying?" ask
ed March.
"Blood mixing" began March, hur-
riedly; but they were parted before
he could explain his meaning. March
was taken away, and Cons slave
moved in closer beside him, looking
very burly and dull. An order was
given, and Lexington was led away,
returning by the way he had come.
In his apartment, after sunset, he
tried to think his way out, but failed
to understand why he was not killed
at once. Instead, form of trial had
been given them. Every physical COM
fort was bestowed. Courtesy was
silent but unfailing. When he had re-
turned from court, tray of baked
vegetables was awaiting him, with
pot of tea, a brazier, and a salver Of
cool grapes. Yet he could not forget
the violence Of their reception at the
head of the ravine, and the refined
hate of Chez Ming.
He sighed to recall that the princess
had wearied of their presence before
the throne, and had taken leave with
out hearing the conclusion of their
trial. Their death had previously been
delayed by her order.
Plainly, Chez Ming had his own will
In matters brought before the prince.
Who, and where, was the monarch for
the central chair that had been vacant?
Lexington sat at the low stone table,
on the roof, to finish his dinner, and
try to study out a means Of escape.
In the circumstances, he felt that
their federal mission was doomed to
remain unperfOrmed. He looked out
into the misty lowlands, where the
lifting vapors were colored by an after
glow of sunset into drifting peacock
plumes, strands of Elusive violet and
gold. The fiocks had disappeared. A
weighty silence pressed down over the
valley-a twilight Of apprehension.
He started. A curious object
dropped at his feet. It was the long
tailed monkey with the white face.
InQuisitive, the creature had come to
examine the new arrival, but it's eyes
twitched with fear and childlike IN
certainty. Lexington tossed him a
red plum. The monkey seized the
fruit and bit into it, keeping his eyes
fixed upon the giver Of the fruit.
swell, little friend, is it all right"
The small beast stopped munching,
to think out civil reply. Reflectively,
sadly, he dug out the seed of the plum,
inspected it, bit it, cast it down, and
forgot all about the question. He
wiped his face upon his hairy forearm
and came Sinking step nearer. Like
a cat he leaped upon the bench, and
began stirring in the bowl that had
contained a tuberous vegetable new
to the prisoner. The monkey was
disappointed. Then he looked up
sharply, shrieked and sprang across
the space to the top of the wall. He
gave one backward glance, whimpered,
and was gone over the edge of the
wall. Lexington also turned to look,
and saw Chez Ming.
"You are condemned" said the
Chinese.
81 guessed it. But why?
You have come to Tau Kuan, en-
pire of the Yellow Sum-"
'It's a good place." said Con.
"Here are all races of mankind"
continued Chez Ming. "Here every
blood is blended in one true nation.
Man. in time before time, divided him
self and his substance into many peo-
pies. 1t was folly, and should never
have occurred. But in Tau Kuan they
are again united. Here is the perfect
empire. This sacred city is older than
the Tower of Babel. All the other
states Of Asia, when the Cobb was not
a desert, rushed into that folly. OF
all the world, only the Monzoul of Tau
Kuan had wisdom. Tau Kuan alone
did not enter into that confusion.
Tau Kuan alone has remained holy
and fertile. You have seen the fate
that befell the others. They are but
tombs forgotten. beneath a sea of
cursed sand. Here only are green
things, and pure. Here only is the un-
broken tradition of light. 1t MS a
small thing to die for Tau Kuan, when
necessary"
Thanks. I suppose you wish me to
die?"
"In month-two months-not
longer"
why the delay?"
"Your white blood is to be preserv.
ed"
"How do you meanT
BLENDED" replied the Chinese,
IAN Arab maid of purest strain will
come to you. When her child is born,
you work is ended. But we do not