Read Ebook: The Cosmic Courtship by Hawthorne Julian

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Ebook has 570 lines and 39021 words, and 12 pages

r? Do I know anyt'ing? Am I a collidge guy, an' play full-back on de team? Is dere any skirt campin' on my trail? G'wan! I'm tellin' yer dis worl' is goin' ahead right smart widout me! So what I says is, keep de boss here till me an' Torpy has it out togedder; an' while he's busy lammin' me fer keeps, snake Miss Mir'am out o' dere and han' her over to de boss. Dat's all! Dat's me! Dat's right, ain't it? Are yer on?"

Thus Jim spoke, with snapping eyes and graphic gestures; and as Solarion listened he became brighter and brighter, until Jim's small person cast a long shadow behind him.

"Your plan is good," he said, "and I'd rather be in your shoes than in Torpeon's. We get what we are willing to pay for. May I have a look at that crutch of yours?"

"She ain't so nifty to look at," Jim remarked, handing it over; "but she does me all right. My dad, he brings her from de ould sod!"

Solarion examined the crutch with great attention.

"I don't think you know what a valuable stick this is," he said at length, returning it to the owner. "There are fairies in Ireland, you know; and when they gave this blackthorn to your father, they endowed it with a power to do wonderful things. It's a fairy wand, and it will make itself into anything you want--a sword, a horse, a pair of wings, or an air-ship, for instance. All you have to do is rub one or another of these little knobs, and make your wish. If you want to go to Tor, it can carry you there easily; and then, if you find it necessary to fight Torpeon, I dare say you could surprise him as much as I surprised that beast just now. That's what comes, you see, of having only one leg!"

Jim looked at his old familiar staff with new respect. It appeared the same as ever; but great gifts often go humbly clad.

"Say, mister, dat's goin' some! Yer ain't stringin' me, is yer?"

"We receive only what belongs to us," returned Solarion, laying a hand on the boy's head. "You are among friends, and you've earned their friendship. Good-by for the present, and good fortune!"

The light grew brighter than ever; but when Jim looked up, he was alone.

LAMARA, having convinced herself that Miriam was no longer on the island bethought herself of the subterranean passage. This was a secret way to the mainland, and known to few; but one of those few was Zarga. There was no escape, therefore, from the conclusion that the girl had taken this means of continuing her treachery; but Lamara hastened to explore the cavern, and found abundant traces of the passing of both Zarga and Miriam. On the shore at the other side there were signs that sufficiently indicated the rendezvous with Torpeon and the flight to Tor.

Lamara's intuitions, which were of the highest order, had given her a knowledge of Miriam's heart and character, which obviated any doubt that Miriam must have been hoodwinked. But the problem of how to rescue her from her unwilling thraldom remained. The traditional usages of Saturn discountenanced aggressive action; but neither had any situation similar to this been anticipated. Unprecedented needs require the exercise of corresponding methods. Had the problem been simply the subjugation of Torpeon, and of his kingdom with him, there were resources in Saturn adequate to accomplish it; but to do so without involving Miriam in danger would be far more difficult. Torpeon would hesitate at nothing, and if driven to extremity would not scruple, Lamara feared, to sacrifice Miriam rather than surrender her. Nor was this all. Lamara had reason to suspect that he contemplated an enterprise which, were it successful, would carry him and his abode beyond the limits of Saturnian influence. It was an enterprise wild and desperate, and it might result in the annihilation of Tor itself, not to speak of serious disorders in other planets of the system. Lamara divined that his determination to keep Miriam might urge him on to the immediate prosecution of this gigantic and reckless scheme; and it behooved her to lose no time in taking measures to prevent it. Aunion and others must be consulted; meanwhile she resorted to the planetary mirror, which was in the neighborhood, to ascertain the actual present condition of affairs.

Upon entering the sunken dome, she pronounced the formula proper for her purpose, and subdued her mind to observe what should transpire.

For a few moments the eye was dark and vacant of images; then the blurred traces of a rapidly moving object appeared; it was focused an instant later, and Lamara saw Torpeon and Miriam on their way through space. The prince glanced behind him at intervals, as if from a feeling of insecurity. Miriam, her black hair flying behind her like a banner of mourning, sat motionless. What could be the cause of Torpeon's uneasiness?

The fugitives were still within the outer confines of the Saturnian atmosphere, and approaching the ring. The vast, shining curve of the latter was in such a position that they were silhouetted against it, and every detail of their aspect and surroundings was distinct. The ring radiated sublimity; it was composed, as Lamara knew, of the crystallized bodies of those who had passed to another life from Saturn; an immeasurable mausoleum and memorial of the friends who had departed. Billions of mortal forms, in which souls had once lived and loved, were here spontaneously disposed in their innumerable ranks, enlightening the world which they encircled in ever-augmenting myriads. Each atom of that solemn army sparkled forever in its appointed place, and contributed in its degree to the far-flung splendor. And in some eon too remote for calculation the mighty circle would disintegrate to form a new and radiant planet, on which would be born and flourish and fulfil its destiny another and nobler race, to carry forward to another stage the majestic evolution of humanity.

Lamara sighed. For this divinely appointed scroll of death and life, made to remind mortal existence of the immortal future that awaited it, was now serving as the background to reveal the lawless act of a self-seeking and finite ambition. The trail of carnal passions defiles the pure pavements of the holy temple!

Her meditation was interrupted by an unexpected episode.

Into the field of vision was suddenly projected a long loop of azure light, tenuous as a spider's web, uncoiling itself like a lasso, aimed to overtake and encircle the flying pair. Lamara immediately recognized it as a thread of power thrown out by some Saturnian pursuer to arrest the progress of the robber prince and his captive.

"It is Argon!" she murmured the next moment, as the figure of the youth swept into sight. "It is a gallant effort; but I fear he is too late. Even did it succeed, the peril would be great!"

Unless the feat could be accomplished before Torpeon could pass beyond the Saturnian atmosphere, it would be useless to attempt it. The chase was now nearing that boundary; and the risk to Miriam of a contest in mid air was obvious.

The first cast of the aerial lasso failed, passing ineffectively to one side. Argon, who had unfolded the wings which every Saturnian may employ at need, gathered up his shining line and prepared for another trial.

But Torpeon had already become aware of his predicament. The car leaped forward with redoubled impetus, causing it to sway dizzily from side to side. Miriam, aroused from her apathy by the singing of the noose, had now turned and realized what was going on. Her friends were trying to save her. Far down in the void she had seen the pursuer; the distance seemed enormous, but it was lessening. She took a breath or two to make up her mind.

Meanwhile, she controlled every expression of emotion. Torpeon, indeed, had no suspicion of her intention. He was employing all his energies to pass the pale of danger. From the corner of her eye Miriam saw the pursuer swing his arm for another cast. Should this fail, she would act!

Lamara, intently observing, discerned not the outward manifestations merely, but the thoughts which produced them. She knew Argon's activity, courage, and address; but the hazard was too great. Yet to intervene now was impossible.

Keen like the note of a harp-string in the shrillest treble came again the sound of the noose. It reached its highest pitch, and the noose itself appeared above their heads, opening and descending. Every nerve in Miriam's body was drawn tense for the outcome. Down came the shining circlet, carrying its message of defeat for Torpeon or of liberation for her. So truly had Argon estimated the distance that it seemed certain they would be taken. But Torpeon's skill and foresight were not less than his.

The moment for Miriam's attempt had come. She had been thrown on her knees by the sudden turning of the car; she steadied herself, and then sprang to her feet. The car staggered in its course; for an instant the sky seemed to reel; the ring flashed before her eyes, dipped, and vanished; the vast globe of Saturn impended above her head, and she caught a lightning glimpse of Argon halting in his flight, and watching, appalled, for the issue. She summoned all her energy, and leaped from the car.

What might be the consequence, she had not cared to consider; there was the chance that Argon might intercept her fall; there was the possibility that she might join the silent army of the ring. It was even conceivable that, at this immense distance from the planet, she might be borne away in an orbit of her own, and journey forever in an endless spiral through the fields of space. Anything would be preferable to enduring the dominion of the prince of Tor.

But Torpeon, though he had perhaps not anticipated a voluntary act on her part, was not unprepared for the event, and was ready to meet it. With a resolve as desperate as Miriam's, he flung himself headlong after her as she leaped.

For the duration of a single pulse-beat, the twain hung in mid air, the gravitational force of Saturn, diminished by the counterpull of Tor, operating but feebly. Ere it could gather strength, he had thrown an arm around her. She felt its grasp, and struggled fiercely against it, but in vain. The car, dropping with them, was within reach of Torpeon's other hand. He caught it, and still holding her, dragged himself aboard. Once more he sent it flying on its way. The bounds of Saturnian influence were passed, and Argon's pursuit had failed.

Torpeon turned his head, his face so close to Miriam's that his beard brushed her cheek, and searched her eyes with a look that pierced like a sword. In that glance was manifested the whole savage strength of the man. The car sped on, and presently became a mere speck in the mirror. The figure of Argon, descending, flashed into view, and Lamara left the dome and went forth to meet him.

ARGON, on alighting, was encountered by Aunion, and the two were soon joined by Lamara. Argon bowed before her with a mortified look.

"I blundered from beginning to end," he remarked.

"You did your best," she replied; "none can do more, but the spirit rules the outcome. No just cause is lost through our effort to win it; it is gained, though in ways beyond our comprehension. The good we try to do may bless us even more through failure than success. It may be that to have brought these two lovers together before the appointed time would have delayed instead of hastening their final union."

"I hoped to compensate for the mischief done by my sister," he said dejectedly.

"That child has beguiled us all," said Aunion. "I could almost wish that these visitors of ours had never come here. Strange influences create strange conditions, which disturb our ancient peace."

"You are out of tune!" exclaimed Lamara. "If a new era awaits us, let us accept it with faith and joy. The birth of all good is preceded by travail. The destiny of the Saturnians cannot be separated from that of any others in the universe. If there be evil anywhere, isolation cannot heal it; it must be nursed back to health in the bosom of love. I do not regret our visitors; I welcome them, bring what they may!"

"Zarga has sinned beyond forgiveness," declared Aunion sternly.

"I have already said that I find myself much to blame for her error," returned Lamara quietly; "and judgement does not lie with us, old friend. Already her sin brings its own punishment. Jack's constancy is inviolable; but we may remove him from her influence for both their sakes. Were you able to trace him?" she asked Argon.

"Torpeon and Zarga, working together, had made discovery difficult," he said; "but I was close upon them when Miriam's danger drew me aside. I believe I know where to find Jack and my sister. But the magician's chamber is well guarded."

"It is time those spells were broken," said Aunion.

"Is the little lad, Jim, with them?" Lamara asked.

"I think not; I fear he has met with misfortune."

"That child is very near my heart," Lamara said. "Every thought and impulse in him is free from self. We must protect him with all our power. His love and loyalty are without stain; they shine through his quaintness like flame through a grotesque lantern."

"Jim will play his part," Aunion affirmed, with a smile. "It is my impression that he has found a powerful friend--Solarion himself!"

Argon had a hand to his ear. "Isn't that the piping of the Nature people?" he exclaimed. "Yes--yonder they come! And Jim in the midst of them!"

"You are right--they are leading him in triumph!" rejoined Lamara gladly. "They feel the innocence and honesty of his soul; it is a high honor to win their affection. His goodness has found him out! But what can be his errand?"

"We shall soon learn; the imp has the gift of tongue," observed Aunion amusedly.

The festive group drew nearer. Jim's stature was not great; but he loomed large by contrast with his retinue. The little creatures came skipping and gamboling around him, all in high spirits, and evidently much pleased with their companion. Fauns and nymphs, hand in hand, danced and cut capers; satyrs were piping heartily on their reeds, interrupting themselves now and then to turn head-over-heels; the company had gathered flowers as they came, with which they made wreaths to decorate their new friend and themselves. Jim managed his crutch so deftly that the lack of a leg seemed to be no handicap; he hopped and pirouetted almost as nimbly as the others, and his jollity was as wholehearted as theirs. He greeted Lamara and her friends from afar, grinning wide.

"Hello, folks! What d'yer t'ink o' dis bunch? But wait till I learns dem pipers ter play 'Yankee Doodle'!"

"You find them good company?" asked Lamara smilingly.

Jim did a comprehensive gesture.

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