Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

the girls on the rooftop. - Country, tell them they shall have it _ the land they desire shall be theirs. Instantly they spread their wings and flew down, circling close ever the heads of the people. “Wait, Alan. A moment now and there will be quiet.. The girls are telling them not to fear, hut to wait and listen to what you have to say.” Miela stood now upon the parapet top, with the little prince between us. She had concealed the tiny metal cylinder in her belt; her open palms were flung out before her, and her wings, spread and flapping slowly, raised her on tiptoe. Every line of her graceful body was tense; her attitude bespoke power, dominance, authority. And then she began to talk in a voice vibrant’ with emotion. Once she laid her hand lightly upon the curly head of the little boy, and a tremulous, uncertain cheer an- swered her from below. “I have told them of the king’s death, Alan,” she said a moment later, “ and that here is their little king standing before them. And now, of you—what shall I say?” ** Tell them that until the king is older, I—the man from earth—shall rule them as regent. Tell them if they obey me all will be well, for I shall rule them wisely.” I stood while Miela translated this amid dead silence from the crowd. As she fin- ished I raised myself to full height and stared down at them threateningly. * But if there is trouble—if any one de- fies my authority—then, Miela, tell them I shall use the light-ray, for I shall brook no interference.” The silence from below continued. I spread my hands out before me and smiled. “ But there will be no trouble. I am with the Light Country, heart and soul. Its in- terests are my interests, for I have married one of its women, and now I too am one of its people. “Tao shall be overthrown—tell them that, Miela. The Twilight People never again shall threaten our cities. If more land is wanted by our people of the be For when Tao is vanquished I shall build great cars such as he is building, and all who wish ee ee | <= * ., THE FIRE PEOPLE. | mom iy make them welcome as I have welcome here.” A cheer arose as Miela t and now for the first time I heard n of dissent. “Say to them again 1 <iall ae | wisely. Say I shall look to them— ae 0 them, rich and poor alike—for help in we have to do. All must help me, 5 am only one, and I need them all. — this work we have to do is over, ¥ nation is freed forever from this r from across the sea, tell them that 1 will give my every thought to the dete their welfare. All that they wish—if it in my power—shall be done.” ees A girl alighted for an instant onthe pet near me; another darted downwarc Li her flight, evidently to avoid the disrespec of passing directly in front of me. thought flashed through my mind t . might mention the virgins and promise t! : he reversal of the law they so abhorred, bur t | felt it would be impolitic to raise that q tion at such a time as this. = “Tell them now to leave the ¢ sun nds quietly,” I concluded. “ When I wish ther again they will be sent for. All tk hat 1 r da will be known through public p: oan tion.” | aa = I lifted the little prince in my ¢ then, with the cheers of the ing in my ears, jumped backward with the roof below. = te a Thus, by swift moving circumstances which could not have been foresee a, 1 ¢ S : made ruler of the Light a crowd dispersed quietly. We sent th and her waiting maids back ‘to h _ ments, the aged councilors to the ie ane soon Miela and I were > alone 1 in one of castle rooms. ae Now that the nervous excite nen <a which I had been laboring was ove + I fe utterly exhausted. I dropped wearily a seat, and Miela sat on the fi cea feet with her arms on my knees. — I stroked her glossy black hair ic hy “I’m tired, girl. Pm a a you?” <2 se. Be We had not slept since tt . fore, and so much t n "comicbooks. com - a ih. AISi¢ ALC 1%