Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 4, 1925 — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

THE RADIO BEASTS. soner by the murderer of her father and oi her babe. Cabot was now manacied for ihe first time, and then was led inio the presence of the king and queen: Yuri, the man with the heart of a beast; and Formis, the ant with the brains of a man. Together they Stood beneath 2 scarlet canopy, which set off to perfection the shiny black naked body of the ant queen, and the black toga which her ally was wearing in honor of their alliance. “Well, this is indeed a pleasure,’ ex- claimed King Yuri, rubbing his hands, as Myles Cabot entered the throne-room. ‘welcome to Kuana. you cursed spot of sunshine. Formis, permit me to present to vou the arch-enemy of vour people.” The black queen inclined her head shight- ly, but said nothing. Cabot, too, main- tained a dignified silence. Only his eyes showed the intense hatred and scorn which he felt for the betrayer of his country and murderer of his scn. Yuri continued, * For to-night, you shall be my guest. To-morrow I shall cecide how best you can be made to serve the wel- fare of mv beloved pecple. By the way. would you like to see your wife?” Cabot was caught off his guard. “Ves!” he responced eagerly. Yuri smiled. “T think it can be arranged.” he said. ‘Ho, sentinel, bring in the princess.” One of the ant soldiers withdrew, and presently returned with Princess Lilla, who entered the audience chamber inquiringly. In spite of his studied composure, Myles started forward. Here was his beloved wife. from whom he had been absent scarce- ly a moment since their marriage, until the cruel civil war had separated them. How he longed to rush cover to her side, and hold her in his love-starved arms; and whisper comforting words into her antenne! But, with a great effort. he restrained himself. Yuri must not be permitted to see his emo- tion. So the earth-man stood still, as his loyal wife swept into the toom. She was no longer the little girl whom Myles Cabot had married. Bearmg a chil, and the subsequent sorrows and horrors which had crev:ded upon her, had made her TA 897 a woman since he had left her on the fatal meming miany sangths ago, to fly to the Peace Day exercises which had turned out so fatally. A beautiful woman she was yet. Her sorrows had not marred her fair face, and she still outshone all the other women of her race, cr of any race for that matter. Cabot noted with a pang that she was dressed, not in royal blue as became one who was m mourning, but rather in black, presumably by order of Yuri, in honor of ihe visiting queen from ant-land. Her eves sought those of the king, then followed his glance until they rested on her husband. For a moment she stood aghast, then rushed across the room and flung her arms around his neck. “ Myles! Mvles!” she cried. “Is it really you? They told me you were dead. Then came the news that you had rejoined your troops and were leading them again to victory. The people believed and were glad, but Yuri told me that it was all a lie, concocted to win the throne away from him, and that vour body lay burned to a crisp in the woods north of Lake Luno. Yet still I would not marry him, even for the sake of my country, while there yet was a chance that you lived. But what brings you here? And why are vou handcuffed?” ‘ Dogge brings me here,” he replied with a smile, “and I am handcuffed lest I wring the neck cf the reigning monarch.” “Which doubtless would give you great pleasure,” interposed Yuri. ““ Verv great pleasure, your majesty,” ad- miited Cabot with mock deference. Yuri continued: ‘‘ 4t last I have decided what steps to take for the welfare of my beloved country. The assembly will pass a law annulling your marriage on the ground that your husband is nothing but a lower animal. Then vou shall have vour choice of marriage to me as the price of Cabot’s life, or of life with me as my slave and Cabot’s death. Two sangths shall vou have in which to decide. XIeanwhile the woofuses shall guard your husband in the arena. I have spoken. Then Cabct said: ‘“‘ Choose my death, O princess; for the armies of Cupia_ will avenge it, and Toron will become king.” “Not Toron!” exclaimed Lilla, then Conn EloOOOlK