Part 58 (1/2)

Looking back across the chas by twos and threes over the boulder on the other side As they saw the yawning abyss that separated theazed across in profound astonishment

Others came to join thely forether on the opposite riroup with a keen eye, seeking the figure of the Inca king, and soon my search was successful He stood a step in front of the others, a little to the right I pointed hiht out again,” said Harry

Desiree shi+vered, and proceeded to send her last invitation to the devil

Turning suddenly, she grasped Harry's spear and tore it from his hand

Before we realized her purpose, she stepped forward until her foot rested on the very edge of the chas

Itnear full in the breast Quick as lightning the king turned, grasped the shaft of the spear, and pulled it forth, and with his white teeth gleah the air straight at Desiree

Harry and I sprang forith a shout of warning; Desiree stood rasped her frantically and pulled her back, but too late

She came, but only to fall lifeless into our arms with the spear buried deep in her white throat

We laid her on the ground and knelt beside her for a moment, then Harry arose to his feet with a face white as death; and I uttered a silent and vengeful prayer as I saw hi across the chasround at his feet

”There was another!” cried Harry, and soon he had found it where it lay on the ground and sent it, too, hurtling across

This time he missed by inches The spear flew just past the shoulder of the king and caught one who stood behind hie threw his arainst the king

There was a startledthe black line; hands were outstretched in a vain effort at rescue; a savage cry burst fro had toppled over the edge of the chasm and fallen into the botto froh,” he said between his teeth, and again he knelt beside the body of Desiree and took her in his arer, and I roused hiether we picked up the form of our dead comrade and carried it to the rear I hesitated to pull forth the barbed head of the spear, and instead broke off the shaft, leaving the point buried in the soft throat, from which a crimson line extended over the white shoulder

A short distance ahead we caently laid her on the hard rock Neither of us had spoken a word

Harry's lips were locked tightly together; a lu my eyes with tears

Harry knelt beside the white forainst his breast I stood at his side, gazing down at hi hout the cavern, during which the painful throbbing of my heart was plainly audible; then Harry murain, ”Desiree! Desiree!” until I half expected the very strength and sweetness of his e our comrade back to life

Suddenly, with a quick, ilance at h there was neither jealousy nor anger in his voice, soaze

”She loved you,” he repeated in a tone half of wonder ”And you--you--”

I answered his eyes

”She was yours,” I said, with a touch of bitterness that persuaded him of the truth ”All her beauty, all her loveliness, all her charm, to be buried--Ah! God help us--”

My voice broke, and I knelt on the ground beside Harry and pressed olden hair of what had been Le Mire

Thus we re time