Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 73: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Making of the Morning Star 71 the next instant he was fighting for his life. A simitar smote his chest, and he warded a blow at his head with the handle of the mace. In the semi-darkness of the heavy tent he could make out the figure of a Moslem in armor—a flying cloak and a curved sword that sought vainly for his head. The figure leaped at him fiercely, and he brushed aside the steel blade with sur- prizing ease and caught his antagonist fast within both arms. As he felt for the Mos- lem’s sword-wrist his right hand closed on the warrior’s throat, and he was aware of a pulse that throbbed frantically under his fingers. The helm of his adversary fell off, and Robert released his grip. But only to tighten his arm about the dark tresses that fell about the slender shoulders of Ellen, who stared bewildered into his eyes. “By the cross, demotselle,” he laughed out of a full heart, “‘hast still a mind to war?” Her hands caught his cheeks and held him with rigid strength, while her warm breath beat against his throat. And he saw that she was pale as the white silk khalat. ‘Ellen!’ he cried. Robert?” At this her eyes glowed, and she pressed her lips against his, running trembling fingers through his clotted hair, her throat quivering with sounds that made no words. Robert kissed her closed eyes and felt the weariness pass from him. Both flaps of the tent were ripped back, and Chepe Noyon strode in, hand on his sword hilt, looking greatly surprized. “What—ha! No need to lead thee to the treasure, O Nazarene.” Ellen looked up as the light flooded in and brushed a hand across her eyes. “My lord—I thought you slain when you came—I deemed you a Mongol, and I did not want to be—parted, again. Oh, what have I done?” . Her eyes widened, and she swayed back against his arm. “What?” Robert smiled. “Your face—and your armor hacked!” Tears started to the girl’s eyes. ‘“‘And see, your hand is slashed. Nay, I sought only to die, and now I have hurt you sore.” Robert stared for 2 moment in astonish- ment and then rocked with laughter. “Dost not know me— “Little warrior, these few wounds were dealt me by the men of the Horde. Nay, Ellen, methinks you make a better maid than man-at-arms.” For many an hour they sat upon the rugs of the tent and talked, hand in hand, re- counting all that had befallen them; and Chepe Noyon, leaning against the pole of the pavilion, tock up a lute—for he was well content—and sang again for them the song with which he first greeted Robert. Until Ellen fell silent, her glance ever on the man who sat, chin on hand, looking through the entrance at the swirling sand and the riders that came and went. “In another day, brave heart,” he said, “Bokhara will be no more, and the road will be before us again. Chepe Noyon hath made clear to me the Mongol plans. I told him we would ride with them no- wither save to Palestine. For there is my place—and you did promise the good Father Evagrius to seek Jerusalem.” “Then will we go together, and you shall take Jerusalem,’ she nodded de- cidedly. ‘Am I an emperor with a host?” ‘Aye, so.” “Nay, I think not. Fair heart, our king lies at the island of Cyprus, and there we will seek him if we reach the end of the road. Yet none before us hath returned alive from Khar. These barbarians set out upon a way of peril, for they seek out Muhammad to overthrow his power and will follow him even beyond the Gates, to Bagdad or to Byzantium. They would have me strive to aid them at siege and assault upon the great cities. Will you come with me?” ‘Aye, so.” She bent her head. “Tf you will have me.” “Then is your promise given.’ He sprang up, and Chepe Noyon rose. “And I will hold it binding. Aye.” He looked at the Mongol, who held up his hand for silence. From the center of the camp came the mutter of drums and the brazen note of a great gong. Chepe Noyon spoke, and the knight nodded understanding. “The summons to saddle hath been iven,”’ Robert said, and his eyes gleamed with swift joy. “Never a queen shall have her coming heralded as yours, and never a maid shall put such a song upon the lips of the troubadors of Christendom.” COMmiCLOoOokkS.G© S|