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


deep-singing river, and the monster
Cobb crystal ocean. Here beside the
water they had camped, he and his
captive queen, their hearts the same.
Now Cons turban cast a shadow up
on the tent, and he knew that it was
himself, then as now. That ancient
madness still possessed his veins in
the thrall of her presence. Camels
shifting in the blue shadows. a faded
watch-fre, the silence of wooded hills
around, and the immensely Of heaven.
The illusion held a moment--Or a CEN
tury?-longer-and a hand was upon
his shoulder. Lexington was chilled
to the quick. This was Flu All, desir-
ing speech in private.
"She must Sleep said the Chinese
reverently.
eyes. Don't give her any more than
she needs. Help her to break off.
Not so often"
''Dreams?"
There was an injured quality in the
voice.
eyes. The dreams have got to 60"
mo"
EYES,"
"She de-" said Flu Ar, with seeming
complacence.
'Not at all. We are to help her
shake off this dreaming. Less and
less, until she is free"
The idea of freedom did not dwell
between the narrow temples of the
old servant.
1--WE camp here?'
NO." answered Lexington.
mo koresh, no go on"
II don't expect her to ride. In the
morning we will make a hammock and
carry her between US. There are three
of us, and we can relieve one another
at the pole"
Flu All was much depressed by the
interview.
Lexington did not try to sleep that
night. There was no more attempt
at haste. He was at liberty to think
everything over i'll more intimate,
less practical light, and he wondered
how he had neglected so many
thoughts until now. Tau Kuan had
grown to be less than a dream, and
the screaming dwarfish hordes had
run out of his days altogether. But
more and more he missed Andrew
March. He would have asked March
what to think about his strange mo-
mentary reach of vision into the past,
the stolen queen and himself
Still they met no one, but ever and
again a herd of elk would start, and
slip beyond the brow of a HILL
There were wine and food for Helen,
but Con watched day and night that
no drug reached her. Evergreens dot
ted the slopes. The pass was narrow
ing. The princess chose to walk some
times, and laughed at her lack of
strength. At one camp, she held Cons
arm, and talking happily, they moved
away from the line of camels.
''How is it possible that we are out
of the desert?"
"Only possible by your courage
said Con. 'Have you never been out
Of the Cobb before?"
"Only in Dreams" and she was smil-
ing.
''There is something here, she
placed her hand upon her breast
that cries out for dreams and peace.
Perhaps a man does not know. My
| mother knew, and l have it, the cry
that cannot come out. Oh. there is a
bitterness in beautiful things, and
great terror where there is no beauty
It is the awful lonliness-so there
was one dark dream following another,
months, and months-the yellow faces.
have been too much alone. Oh, re-
main with me, my friend, because I
am i'll. My world is gone. Your Amer
tea is only a name. You are every
thing"
Her arms were about his neck, and
her breathing seemed painful. All the
light went from her face. Tightly
! she chung, whispering, fearing, all life,
until the dark closed over. Lexington
swallowed hard, and lifted her. He
ran to Fansa.
In Flu Abs gaze was glitter of 81
told you" Con could not bear to re-
main anu watch lH0 ulIulSlIdllCuS LndlS
while no doubt necessary if the prin-
cess were to live would include the
drug he feared and hated. He turned
to go, but Helen reused and made
little outcry, faint but unmistakable
summons for him to stay. He knelt
above her. He took her cool hand in
his.
Now the Chinese came with his long
fingers dipped in the blush oil. Lev
ington held silent. But at the first
touch upon her eyelids, Helen shud-
dered and raised up. Flu All was start
led. His reinsurance came softly in
native speech.
NO" said his princess.
"Yess," he Kissed.
"No," she repeated weakly, shaking
her head.
"Yess, must!" he repeated instantly.
"No!' whispered Helen. mo more"
Something of imperial will came