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Slowly a chief arose and two others followed his exah with ill-concealed reluctance "All, then, are not cowards," commented O-Tar "The duty is distasteful Therefore all three of you shall go, taking as many warriors as you wish"

"But do not ask for volunteers," interrupted I-Gos, "or you will go alone"

The three chiefs turned and left the banquet hall, walking slowly like doomed men to their fate

Gahan and Tara remained in the cha away the dust froht rest in co silks and furs too far gone to be of any service, cru any chance of ether, talking in low tones, of the adventures through which they already had passed and speculating upon the future; planning one They spoke of s-of Hastor, and Helium, and Ptarth, and finally the conversation reminded Tara of Gathol

"You have served there?" she asked

"Yes," replied Turan

"I met Gahan the Jed of Gathol at my father's palace," she said, "the very day before the stornificently trapped in platinueous a harness as his, and you must well know, Turan, that the splendor of all Barsooh the court at Helium; but inthat jeweled sword in h a pretty picture of a ht Tara did not perceive the wry expression upon the half-averted face of her coht little then of the Jed of Gathol?" he asked

"Then or now," she replied, and with a little laugh; "hoould pique his vanity to know, if he ard of Tara of Heliuently upon his knee

He seized the fingers in his and carried them to his lips "O, Tara of Helium," he cried "Think you that I am a man of stone?" One ar body toward hiive me my weakness," she cried, as her ar lips to his For long they clung there in love's first kiss and then she pushed hiently "I love you, Turan," she half sobbed; "I love you so! It isto Djor Kantos, who of love And if you love reater dishonor, for I am but as clay in your hands"