Page 48 (1/1)
Confined to the tower and without proper exercise or food, the girl failed to show the improvement that her captors desired Ghek questioned her in an effort to learn why it was that she did not grow round and plump; that she did not even look as well as when they had captured her His concern was prompted by repeated inquiries on the part of Luud and finally resulted in suggesting to Tara of Heliuht find a new opportunity of escape
"I aht," she told Ghek "I cannot become as I was before if I a poor air and getting no proper exercise Pero out in the fields every day and walk about while the sun is shining Then, I am sure, I shall become nice and fat"
"You would run away," he said
"But how could I if you were alith me?" she asked "And even if I wished to run ahere could I go? I do not know even the direction of Heliuht the banths would get me, would they not?"
"They would," said Ghek "I will ask Luud about it"
The following day he told her that Luud had said that she was to be taken into the fields He would try that for a tirow fatter he will send for you anyway," said Ghek; "but he will not use you for food"
Tara of Helium shuddered
That day and for h the enclosure and out into the fields Alas she alert for an opportunity to escape; but Ghek was always close by her side It was not sothe attempt as the number of workers that were always between her and the hills where the flier lay She could easily have eluded Ghek, but there were too many of the others And then, one day, Ghek told her as he accompanied her into the open that this would be the last tio to Luud," he said "I aht!" She scarce breathed the word, yet it was vibrant with horror
She glanced quickly toward the hills They were so close! Yet betere the inevitable workers-perhaps a score of the the"