Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 219, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1920 — Page 2

PRINCESS OF TAU KUAN.

BmtMlfc — Cornelius Uvtnitoii, wall-born, an orphan, comas to manhood through the davloua way* of the undarwortd. Ha to asvad for m, batter Ufa by Andrew March. Tto itrun adventure* of "Tallow Man Sleep" bed* whan Oon take* fay force a email leather sack from Chee Mins, the Chtneae cook of an acquaintance. Thia aaek contain* a Clilnaoo map of the Gobi desert, which to precious beyond price to Andrew March. Eighteen year* before armed men la the Gobi had taken March’* wlfa and Infant daughter from him. Now h* send* Coa la aaarch of them. On th* voya«a Oon ted* Che* Mins a fellow peaaenser. Con to *hot by a poisoned dart, and while he to In the consequent stupor his map to *tolen. On til* river boat to Pekin* ha again sees Chee Mins, and real, lsea they are eeektns, the same destination. Con keep* faith with Andrew March and start* on hta mission westward with a caravan. After woofer of difficult travel be reaches the little settlement of Shan-suns and reads Instructions from Andrew March to the effect that Con has been made a federal ■gent to search out Chee Ming, who haa brought quantities of koresh, a deadly drug, to pan Francisco. At Shan-sung Con to unsxpectedly Joined by March. The two Americans press forward into the desert. Armed horsemen swoop down on them, rob them of everything and laava them to die la the desert. March haa a map tattooed on tee sole of .hto foot They press SB, suffering incredible hardships. Again they are attacked by horsemen. In command of a sentinel In gray.

, CHAPTER Vl— Continued. ' A of hoofs tangled about him, tout through tills * dear voice sound•ed —and again. The gray figure, the wentlnel, was standing up tn the stirrups, with right arm upraised, and the dear call of command was repotted. Sword thrusts were halted, and the mad horsemen reared back in obedience to an imperious gesture. A circle widened around the two white men. The wild horses stood ■trembling and disappointed. A further 'Command came from the person whose face was again hidden by the left forearm upraised, and who now spurred away out of sight. A whispering loudened among the battle-riders, a low giving and taking of advice. Four their number dismounted, and Con felt the familiar leathern thongs tightening about him. The white men were lifted up and set behind two broad-backed horsemen, and the entire party moved at a walk up the ravine road. “Ask for water," called Con to his comrade. .WMarch did so, in native speech, but no heed was given. The party emerged apruptly upon an open plain at the head of the road. Here was the wonderland they had come to find, the treasure for which generations of elect-wanderers had given their lives. Levington stared dully, believing It all a mirage.

Spread out as far as the eye coaid discern, lay a green Talley, moist and fertile. An evening breeze drifted the flagrant earthy breath of life. Fields were level and marked Into squaresby ditches. Hi the middle distance was a city •of red stone. Its battlemented wall (enclosing roofs that gleamed. There was, rising above all, a palace, its many-angled roofs and long eaves blocked against the west; sun’s fire flared back from its lofty embrasures. It was mansion set upon mansion, -each with the stonecraft of its own age, a maze of narrow walls in Irregular layers, pagodas pointing In the mist, ail in a mad, dreamy harmony of architecture. The white men Jogged behind their captors, and accepted the city and palace as a nobkfe illusion. -The beauty was bitterness, for they dared not believe, they had not the strength. “Ifs all over!” cried Con. "My eyes are gone." “Too far," said March, “too far." The ditches were cod. The main road passed between patches of unfamiliar vegetation, pale green. The palace seemed to leer from narrow -eyes, a thin smile that was evil and secret Its mass had a strange red<Hsh cast, like the rust of the desert. At the southern end of the inclosnre was * grove of trees, nothing less than llorth American white oaks, somewhat stunted, their tops showing Just above 3bo,jgt l n of the clty*wall.- Levington (jposjjdagain over the shoulder of bis dptor. and sms even farther from admitting these things to himself. The western plains were beginning to veil under the violet mists '«f evening. Higher the palace lifted as they appreached, like an unnatural hill of TMTCbtH in fantasy, to be reached by •oteTTaner miracle of stales. Now from the dty itself a murmurjran ' rrTTsmirs£|jßdfate. Beneath Its masonry, an-

Yellow. Men Sleep

By Jeremy Lane

witness the arrival of trespassers from a strange world. Gray and brown facea stared up at Levlngton. In them a furtive malice showed. Some of the people wore sandals, but most were barefoot, and not every man showed’a queue. Faces at latticed windows were heavily veiled. Children ran about naked and screaming. Old men, large of frame but failing and spent, stood over their sticks and gaped in ugly amazement. The common dwellings were close packed under the fortifications, while the palace was set further within, a wide lawn separating It from all else. Three white fountains were Jetting, and the grass was spread with yellow-sun-diamonds. A white-faced monkey grew frightened at the approach of the company, and leapt from the rim of the nearest pool to the silver stem of a fountain, and clung there, watching with haunted eyes the tattered, uncouth men behind the warriors.

Here along a marble curb, a canopied litter approached from the palace. Its six bearers came gliding swiftly. The curtains were satin, embroidered in a design of pearls, and the pole was ringed with stiver. The crowd gave way before it. The black runners were clad In short white tunics and satin turbans. As It came opposite, the carriers halted, and likewise the horsemen and captives. The curtains were parted heavily. Con could not for a moment look down Into the litter, but he heard the voice, and shivered. The leader of the riders raised his Land In salutation, and it was clear that his reply to the voice was one of contrary opinion. A momentary aliened followed thia disagreement. The people held still. Tben the litter and the horsemen resumed their opposite course. As the white curtains were being drawn, Levlngton forced an instant of vision into his swollen eyes, and saw, reclining beneath a soft white robe, the eminent personage Chee Ming.

CHAPTER VII The Blend of Tau Kuan. Ibey were not consigned to a Jail. Such Asiatic courtesy as they were shown was traceable to the spoken command of the gray rider at the top of the ravine road. But it would not have greatly mattered to Con if they had run him through with their lances. His limbs were dead with fatigue, hia nervous system deranged by thirst. He had scarcely a mental surface upon which to receive the wonder of these faces about him, the walls and twisted cornices, the red blocks of desertquarry. Andrew March was In a fever. Levlngton found that his friend had grown strange to him, as If In America he had never glimpsed the true March. Tne compantonable, big-hearted man of fifty was gone, with the substitution of a gaunt, dark person, of no land or period, a living ghost of the Gobi, product of sands and barren hills only, the sun, cruel winds, and utter wilderness. Con did not know this Andrew March who was silent and glitter-eyed. But the pain of the knowledge was dulled Hke everything else.

“Might I have a drink?” he asked of the nearest, as his eyes closed again. The coolness of fountain spray was in his nostrils, hurting him curiously, and the Ineffable sweet smell of green sod was a release like death Itself. They lifted him from his horse. He saw for a moment many low archways and sheltered walks. The stone flagging was like cold knives under his bruised feet The hands of those who led him were strong as Iron. The tinkle of water sounded near In the pleasant gloom, and Levington grinned at the torture, until a white eUp w»« held to his lips. Startled, he opened his eyes: and then came the halfdark again at the touch of water upon his tongne. His sigh was a groan, and he swooned. - - The last sunlight reached in through a high window, falling golden across a bath of dear water, level with the stone floor. A censer had been lighted. and Its soft fumes went to Con’s head like wine They bad roused him. Big bands were placing him infant-wise upon the shallow steps of the bath, in the sun-wanned water. Levington drew a breath- that seemed to have no end. v A purple curtain was drawn across the high window, taking all save a mellow glow of light from the pool. They bathed his body from head to foot. He relaxed in their arms, having neither power nor Inclination to resist. Presently he was placed upon a mat,' and rubbed. He found be could use his eye*, and almost trust them. Only tiro of the captors remained, and theqp were of a different ca*te,TSsd in short white jackets mad snug trousers, nothing of the warrior about them. Their beads ware shaven—yellow own, and aged, tbelr hands very skinful- upon the humanstructure. Mttoi ' ts cedar, Hnnsmww, and. the grape, but

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, INP.

“I hava died.** he whispered to himself. "I should have done It sooner.” Something tn the oil made him forget Andrew March.' They wound him in a silken doth, loosely, after wMch they clapped their-bands twice. Two brawny negroes shuffled to the edge of the bath, and laid Levlngton upon a pallet, which they raised as high as their thick shining shoulders. The white man sighed as he was borne along a corridor, up a series of stone steps to a wide balcony which was open to the skies. A third negro now advanced, picked him up In bis arms, and carried him to a covered bed against the wall. Just within a door. The pillow was cool to Con’s cheek. He fell asleep. * A mild green glow In his ftice wakened hi®. He glanced up at the figured green curtain enclosing his bed, stretched himself slowly, full length, then turned over and slept again. Upon his reawakening, the curt* lns were drawn back. A familiar head was near, and a new smell brought the fact that Con was being shaved. He had a glimpse of the razor, a straight broad blade shaped like a key in the yellow hand. He dozed through this performance. : —~*~ “What time Is it?** he Inquired. “It Is near sunset,” said a voice, also In Ehgllsh, and only then did Con realize that he should not have expected It. Chee Ming stood near, having noted the tonsorlal process to Its finish. He bowed slightly, and the folds of his white robe fell away from the narrow bosom. There was something strange about being so near him . again.-— T —-——— — — “Thanks,” said Con. “1. appreciate all the attention; but I don’t understand It” “I do not understand,” replied the Chinese. “But somebody must —” “It Is the will of our princess,” Chee Ming said with quiet hostility. “Does "she wear gray, and ride?” When the yellow man had nodded. Con said: “Then please convey to her my gratitude. Or show me how I can tell her myself. , It seems you are sort of prime minister here." Chee Ming answered coldly: “I have the honor to be known as vizir at this court.” Levlngton made his gravest gesture of respect. “And where Is my friend March?” he asked. Chee Ming did not choose to hear, and simpiy walked away. Con fingered a perfect effect of bartering upon hls smooth, hard chin. Again the servant

Before It Was Finished the Princess Arose and With a Stir Among Her Retinue Stepped Down From the Dais.

came, now beaming folds of soft white cloth, his purpose to swathe ths white stranger in it. A mysterious winding' began, too complex to follow. Padded sandals were placed beside the couch, and a satin turban built up in intricate laminations upon Lexington's head, Tartar fashion. In the attendant’s eyes was a kind of patient, evil humor. The balcony was more properly a flat roof, leading out from the apartment. The western sun shone into the rooms, brightening every color of woven silk. There was a second divan in the inner chamber, obviously not for masculine use, rose-tinted, yielding to the touch like new fleece. A tapestry of astronomical device, lilac and covered one wall of this room. Above the outer doorway was sheathed a huge Iridescent sword with graven hilt Standing beneath it; Con looked out across the roof upon the valley of many fields, squared off neatly as far as he could see. To the north were vineyards and flocks of sheep. The sun was lowering beyond this world, sending bad; a flood of orange radiance. Levington raised a thin white goblet to his Ups, and drank of cold water. A messenger prostrated himself across the sunny threshold, then arose, standing erect before the prisoner guest, and showing Ms smooth stupid gray face, muscular neck, animal eyes, and thick ears.' On* fumbled In his white garments for a pocket, for a coin. ' * The slave wished him to follow, and, without being able to Inquire what might be expected of him, the white man obeyed, down a rock stairway to the courtyard, onward amid the aides and low stone fences, beyond another fountain. He wondered where Hard

wm, and If they would be able to m cape. He followed on through a dim hallway. where ' the scuffle of many slippera was echoing, and . the soft chink of bangles,-moving always Inward along dim, dusky corridors. Standing at Intersections were bowls of alar banter, each with a swimming, flaming wick In oIL Many other figures in ths semi-darkness appeared to be going in the same direction. Racial chan act eristics puzzled him. He found himself In a great vaulted chamber, in#de a lofty pyramid oi glass. The gray slave made abasement previous to entry, repeating, the gesture every live paces. All others of Inferior cast did likewise as they proceeded deeper into the room; Huge silken curtains were swaying in the breeze. The lower walls were indistinct with rich, deep tapestry covering bare rock. He heard a purring like the echo of many distant bells, wind-borne. A hundred censers of jade were clouding the royal twilight tinman , figures, grouped In background along a farther side, seemed Insignificant Levtngton’s boyhood dreams were freshened before hls eyes. He forgot he was prisoner. His attendant guided him around the border of a dragon-rug toward the waiting group of men. He saw that they wera warriors in council.

They had forsaken the leathery gear of the desert and were cleanly appareled in silken tunics, but they retained their swords. He glanced Instinctively In the direction in which all eyes were turned, and noted a large dais. Its canopy reaching out above. He was standing before a throne. Three heavy chairs were upon it narrow and high-backed, with carven dragons for their arms. The central throne was vacant. A human form occupied the place of state on each side. The one, a prince, sat his black hair woven with strands of silver, a green diadem upon his forehead, from which jewels shope like a far cluster of stars. His face waa narrow, yellow as wax, and blank. Long, tapering hands rested upon the dragon-heads. His robe was worked with silver and emeralds, and .the royal sandala were bright upon a mat of raw silk. But Levington was looking at the other figure, a princess, who likewise waited very quietly upon her throne with hands folded In her lap. The brown tresses that yesterday had streamed down the gray cloak of the supposed sentinel were now bound high and stuck with Jeweled pins. Her throat was closely wound with diamonds. The body of the princess was gmalL Upon her countenance was an expression of untried powers, or so Levington Imagined, for he could not look away from her face, which was dark but not yellow. Her eyes, which seemed all the while to study the rug, had no upward line, although her brows slanted delicately. She was very unlike the prince—unlike any one else. The white prisoner was troubled. He had an Impulse to cross the marble flagging, and kneel at her feet. From a further portal Andrew March was brought In, and halted near his companion. The group of warriors stood behind the prisoners, who had no opportunity for exchange of words. Then a stiff sudden whisper passed over their heads, followed by a. sharp silence. Chee Ming had entered the room.

•In his pearl-broldered robe, which was more voluminous than that of any other person In audience, he carried himself with solemnity before the assembly, bowed with feeling at the foot of the dais, until, at the falnl stirring of the prince’s hand, he straightened himself, mounted the first level of the dais, and began to speak. He disregarded the princess. Levington thought of the night Chee Ming had served the coffee in the Wedger dining-room, and of his first impression of that small head, stony face, and lean, everlasting body, Cedi Wedger, in his gold-tipped ignorance, had seen nothing more than a Chinese coolie who could cook. Now the same thin arms were gesturing before royalty, and seemed much more at home. The talk was meaningless to Levington, although it bore upon his fate, for the speaker’s glance turned again an<| again to the slender, dark princess. Once —or was it only a trick of his sun-racked vision? —she lifted her eyes* to meet his, and her lips moved silently. It was done too quickly for him to be ceftain. He trembled. Chee Ming was making a speech of some 'length, with his little back toward the assembly. Before it was finished, the princess arose and; with a stir among her retinue, stepped down from the data Her feet were email and perfect her ankles bound with gray ribbons. Through the base in the room her jewels gleamed, and the whisper of her robe conveyed more to LevtngtOn than all Chee Ming might be saying. A curtain near the throne was drawn aside* and she was gone.

Con is condemned to die —after a month. s’ CTO BB CONTINUED.) ‘

Lizard’s Eyelld Transparent.

TV** is ft lizard living In the Trans* Caspian desert that has the lower eyelid fused With the upper; it Is transparent, and HVa window, lets In light, bht excludes sand. *9 ——— s&s’t

Home Above All.

Home Is the chief school of human virtues. Its responsibilities, Joys, sorrows, smiles, tears, hopes and .cares form .the chief Interest at human

Negligees Revel in Ribbons

HERE Is a negligee that will appeal to gentlewomen, being made in graceful and modest fashion, of lace and ribbon—ithose twin, time-honored companions of beauty. The designerrevels in such materials, and when she is turned loose to go as far as she likes, we have negligees and negligees; some of them daring, a few sensational, and some of them adorably simple and consistent, such as the amateur dressmaker may undertake with confidence and flnisii with satisfaction. Any of the wide, sheer lace flouneings and all-over lace patterns may be recommended for a negligee at this kind. They are lovely when with crepe or chlffpn In a pale color, and with ribbon chosen tb bear out, In another tint, perhaps, the color used. A negligee made of lace and unlined, may be worn over an undersllp of thin silk. The model pictured has lines as straight and simple as those of a.

Party Frocks for the Younger Set

THE young girl who goes away to school likes to take at least one party frock with her, and to start with, that is quite enough. A,t this time, before the new designs have been presented to the public {and passed upon—-or passed up—lt. Is not so easy to decide upon the styles that will prove desirable and develop Into fashions. But the earliest showings Include dome pretty and conservative frocks that will hold their own with any that may follow them. One of those ample, graceful. Inconspicuous frocks that never grow tiresome Is shewn above. It Is made of pale rose batiste and has many frills of narrow lace running up the and about dm skirt, which Is rather full and hangs straight. * The badice is .plato with a fichu collar edged itfih a frill lace opening over a vestee made entirely of lace frills. The sleeves are long with frills at tite wrist The pride and glory of this frock Is its ribbon.sash, In pale blue, made of satin ribbon not vary •wide, bnt extravagantly long and having a foil bow of short loops. It Is • prodigal affair going to extremes •■■■■ '-- A* '£■ 4%5.- r-

nightdress, develops a little fullness at .the front and baek and is drawn In at the waistline by ribbon that slip* through slashes In the lace and lining. Pi cot-edged satin ribbon In two widths is used for decorating It; the little loops along Its edges make it easy to adjust and stitch down to curve?. It borders and trims the sleeves and 'finishes the neck In the wider width, utilizing the narrower for a girdle and sash. If the creator of this negligee bad gone no further with ribbons than to use them In bands* and "borders, the effort would have been pretty and creditable. But It* Is the addition of ribbon roses, set in .a little foliage, at the bottom and in the sleeves that make the final captivating touch which only genius knows -how to give. They finish up a gracious garment "that it will prove a joy to own.

after the manner of youth ijßeif. Altogetherr—design, color and decoration, the ensemble is; very youthful and charming.-, • »>•:• ’ i .'V.v; A sprightly taffeta frock 18 another good choice for the beginning of the school year’s gayeUea.® Made with a full skirt and quaint Surplice bodice with elbow sleeves, It may be trimmed with small flat roses In a Sirdle about the waist and set in prim rows as a finish to the sleeves and border about tire skirt. Any of the light evening shades are. available for a frock of tills kind. Colored taffeta makes a fine foundation for a frock of filmy net A full, straight skirt of net with a border of barb lace at the bottom and Inserted something less than half way up the length of It is Joined to a plain bodice with wide fichu of the net The fichu is edged with lace and terminates at the front in a girdle of wide, soft satin ribbon.