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"I desire no reward," he replied, "other than the happiness of knowing that the

woman I love is happy."

For an instant the eyes of Tara of Helium blazed as she drew herself haughtily to

her full height, and then they softened and her attitude relaxed as she shook her

head sadly.

"I have it not in my heart to reprimand you, Turan," she said, "however great your

fault, for you have been an honorable and a loyal friend to Tara of Helium; but

you must not say what my ears must not hear."

"You mean," he asked, "that the ears of a Princess must not listen to words of love

from a panthan?"

"It is not that, Turan," she replied; "but rather that I may not in honor listen to

words of love from another than him to whom I am betrothed--a fellow

countryman, Djor Kantos."

"You mean, Tara of Helium," he cried, "that were it not for that you would--"

"Stop!" she commanded. "You have no right to assume aught else than my lips

testify."

The eyes are ofttimes more eloquent than the lips, Tara," he replied; "and in

yours I have read that which is neither hatred nor contempt for Turan the

panthan, and my heart tells me that your lips bore false witness when they cried

in anger: 'I hate you!'"

"I do not hate you, Turan, nor yet may I love you," said the girl, simply.

When I broke my way out from the chamber of I-Gos I was indeed upon the verge

of believing that you did hate me," he said, "for only hatred, it seemed to me,

could account for the fact that you had gone without making an effort to liberate

me; but presently both my heart and my judgment told me that Tara of Helium

could not have deserted a companion in distress, and though I still am in

ignorance of the facts I know that it was beyond your power to aid me."

"It was indeed," said the girl. "Scarce had I-Gos fallen at the bite of my dagger

than I heard the approach of warriors. I ran then to hide until they had passed,

thinking to return and liberate you; but in seeking to elude the party I had heard

I ran full into the arms of another. They questioned me as to your whereabouts,

and I told them that you had gone ahead and that I was following you and thus I

led them from you."

161

The Chessmen of Mars