The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-16

They seem brave men: all Of
tnein," she said. 1T is pity to
Kill one needlessly."
Poofl girl, exclaimed The Cid
What do you know Of such things?
II IS The blood Of your mother that
speaks. BY the boards of the gods
! would that you had more of your
fathers blood in your veins"
n
IT is brave blood, the blood of
= my mother" replied the girl.
For it does not fear to be itself
before all men. The blood of my
father dares not reveal its good to
the eyes of men because 1t fears
ndicule. 1t boasts Of its courage to
hide its cowardice."
The Cid swore a mighty oath.
You take advantage of our rela-
uonship, Stellara," he said, rbut do
not forget that there Is a limit be-
yond which even you may not go
with the Cid, who brooks no in
Suits
The girl laughed. Reserve that
talk for those who fear you" she
said.
During this conversation, lamar,
standing near, had opportunity to
observe the girl more closely and
was prompted to do so by the ma
lure Of her remarks and the quiet
courage Of her demeanor. For the
1lrst time he noticed her hair, which
was like gold in warm sunlight, and
because the woman of his own coun-
try we're nearly all dark haired,
the color Of her hair impressed him.
He thought it very lovely, and
when he looked more closely at her
features he realized that they, too,
were lovely, with a sunny, golden
lovellnesss that seemed to reflect
like qualities Of heart and charac-
ter. There was certain feminine
softness about her that was some
times lacking in the sturdy, self
reliant, primitive women Of his own
race.
It was not in any sense a weak
ness, however, as was evidenced by
her fearless attitude toward the Cid
and by the light Of courage that
shone from her brave eyes. Intelli-
gent eyes they were, too-brave, in
telligent and beautiful.
But there Tanar's interest ceased
and he was repulsed by the thought
that this woman belonged to the I'M
couth bully who ruled with an iron
hand the whiskered brutes of the
great fleet, for the Cid's reference
to their relationship left no doubt
in the mind of the Sarian that the
woman was his mate.
II n
A ND now the attention Of all
IN was focused on the actors in
the tragedy below. Men had bound
the wrists Of the prisoner together
behind his back and placed a blind
fold across his eyes.
watch below, son of king, "
said the Cid to Tanar, land you
will know what it means to walk
the plank"
IT am watching" said Tanar,
''and 1 see that it takes many of
your people to make one of mine
do this thing, whatever 1t may be. I"
The girl laughed, but the Gid
scowled more deeply, while Bohar
cast a venomous glance at Tanar.
Now men with drawn knives and
sharp pixies lined the plank on either
side Of the ships rail and others
lifted the prisoner to the inboard,
SO that he faced the opposite end
of the plank that protuded for out
over the sea, where great monsters
of the deep cut the waves with giant
backs as they paralleled the ships
course-giant saurianS, long extinct
upon the outer crust.
Prodding the defenseleSs man
with knife and pike, they goaded
him forward along the narrow
plank TO the accompaniment of
loud oaths and vulgar jestS and
hoarse laughter.
Erect and proud. the Thurian
marched fearlessly to his doom. He
made no complaint and when he
reached the outer end of the plank
and his foot found no new place
beyond he made no outcry.
Just for an instant he drew back
his feet and heSitated and then,
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