Part 15 (1/2)
Her heart already breaking! The outlook was anything but pro padished that he had died before ever he had had to speak the words he now must speak
”Tara of Heliu year have you been gone from Helium I mourned you truly and then, less than a moon since, I ith Olvia Marthis” He stopped and looked at her with eyes that ht have said: ”Now, strikeyou could have done could have pleased me more Djor Kantos, I could kiss you!”
”I do not think that Olvia Marthis would mind,” he said, his face noreathed with smiles As they spoke a body of men had entered the throne room and approached the dais They were tall men trapped in plain harness, absolutely without ornamentation Just as their leader reached the dais Tara had turned to Gahan,hi you Turan the panthan, whose loyalty and bravery have won my love”
John Carter and the leader of the new co near, looked quickly at the little group The former smiled an inscrutable smile, the latter addressed the Princess of Heliuhter of Helium, that this man you call panthan is Gahan, Jed of Gathol?”
For just a ed her beautiful shoulders as she turned her head to cast her eyes over one of them at Gahan of Gathol
”Jed or panthan,” she said; ”what difference does it uishly into the s face of her lover
His story finished, John Carter rose froiant frao?” I cried, for I hated to see him leave and it seemed that he had been with me but a moment
”The sky is already red beyond those beautiful hills of yours,” he replied, ”and it will soon be day”
”Just one question before you go,” I begged
”Well?” he assented, good-naturedly
”Hoas Gahan able to enter the throne roos?” I asked
”It was simple--for Gahan of Gathol,” replied The Warlord ”With the assistance of I-Gos he crept into The Hall of Chiefs before the ceremony, while the throne room and Hall of Chiefs were vacated to receive the bride He cah the corridor that opened behind the arras at the rear of the throne, and passing into The Hall of Chiefs took his place upon the back of a riderless thoat, whose warrior was in I-Gos' repair room When O-Tar entered and came near him Gahan fell upon hiht that he had killed him and was surprised when O-Tar appeared to denounce him”
”And Ghek? What beca Val Dor and Floran to Tara's disabled flier which they repaired, he accoe was sent toA-Kor and U-Thor from the roof, where our shi+ps landed theuided them to the throne room We took hile rykor which we found all but starved to death in the pits of Manator But come! No more questions now”
I acco beyond the arches
”Good-bye!” he said
”I can scarce believe that it is really you,” I exclaimed ”Tomorroill be sure that I have drea his sword scratched a rude cross upon the concrete of one of the arches
”If you are in doubt tomorrow,” he said, ”coone
JETAN, OR MARTIAN CHESS