All-Story Weekly, March 1, 1919 — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

THE a OF THE MOON POOL, “ Wait!” he said. “ Wait!” - The Shining One stretched out a slow spiral, and as it did so I saw the bravest thing man has ever witnessed. Instantly O’Keefe thrust himself between it and Olaf, pistol out. The tentacle touched him, and the dull blue of his robe flashed out into blinding, intense azure light. From the automatic in his gloved hand came three quick bursts of flame straight into the Thing. The Dweller drew back; the bell- sounds swelled angrily. And all that time its prey, -unheeding, white faces transfigured—turned—turned slowly on its radiant web—can I ever for- get! Then I saw Lugur pause—his hand darted up, and in it was one of the silver Keth cones. But before he could flash it upon the Norseman, Larry had unlooped his robe, thrown its fold over Olaf, and, holding him with one hand away from the Shining One, thrust with the.other his pistol into the dwarf’s stomach. His lips moved, but I could not hear what he said. But Lugur seemed to understand, for his hand dropped. Now Yolara was there —all this had taken barely more than five seconds. She thrust herself between the three men and the apparition, of which she was priestess. She spoke to it—and the wild buzzing died down; the gay crystal tinklings burst forth again. The Thing murmured to her—began to whirl—faster, faster—passed down the ivory pier, out upon the waters, bearing with it, meshed in its light, the sacrifice— swept on ever more swiftly, triumphantly —and vanished; turning, turning, with its ghastly crew, through the Veil! Abruptly the polychromatic path snapped out. The silver light poured in upon us. From all the amphitheater arose a clamor, a shouting. Von Hetzdorp, his eyes staring, was leaning out, listening. Unrestrained now by Rador, I vaulted the wall and rushed forward. But not before I had heard the green dwarf murmur: “There is something stronger than the Shining One! Two things—yea—a strong heart—and hate!” Olaf, panting, eyes glazed, trembling, shrank beneath my hand. heard him whisper. ‘‘ The Shining Devil!” “ Both these men,’ Lugur was raging, “they shall dance with the Shining One. And this one, too.” He pointed at me malignantly. =z ‘This man is mine,” said the priestess, and her voice was icily menacing. She rested her hand on Larry’s shoulder. “‘ He shall not dance. No—nor his friend. I have told you I care not for this one!” She pointed to Olaf. ‘“‘ Neither this man, nor this,” said Larry, his pistol still pressed against Lugur, “ shall be harmed. This is my word, Yolara!”’ She looked at him. “ Even so,” she said quietly, “‘ my lord!” Lugur’s eyes grew hellish, and I saw Von Hetzdorp stare at O’Keefe with a new and curiously speculative interest. 3 “T have said it!” She turned to Lugur. “What can you do?” she added quite in- solently. He raised his arms as though to strike her. Her hand swept to her bosom. Larry’s pistol prodded him rudely enough. “No rough stuff now, kid!” said O’Keefe in English. The red dwarf quivered, turned—caught a robe from a priest standing by, and threw it over him- self. The ladala, shouting, gesticulating, fighting with the soldiers, were jostling down from the tiers of jet. “Come!” commanded Yolara—her eyes rested upon Larry. ‘ Your heart is great, indeed — my lord!” she murmured; and her voice was very sweet. ‘‘ Come!” “This man comes with us, Yolara,”’ said O’Keefe, pointing to Olaf. “ Bring him,” she said. “ What you have done—and what may come from what you have done, I know not.” She laughed. “But compared to what I think that will be—this man is but a straw in a torrent. So bring him—only tell him to look no more upon me as before!” she added fiercely. 7 Beside her the three of us passed along the stalls, where sat the fair-haired, now silent, at gaze, as though in the grip of. some great doubt. Silently Olaf strede be- side me. Rador had disappeared. Down the stairway, through the hall of turquoise comicboo S 461 “The devil that took my Helma!” I ~ =~ Sty et ne sees eae ee * — iw - eS a Se ig a ee ay | ‘ t uw Vv an fil yh OL te pla TO) aa’ Mu iy mend ‘lif i A Sit i] v'hne Cede DD Et Am ESET CLAY PPLE ee THN CERO at /UeE Oey Cena MULAN hr peyey aire Ht ua ny Dieta HD eeh ¥ pat itl hee Mi! aera KPa ey ne ay tee {TY 4) ia " nis Ay i", } Aisle ae le Ne ae Fe PR Tete Noaea eo PN ONY VEAL Hs id eal (WT N y TAN itea‘ a f Ps Yau hay’ SN Abi ? Wy