"Jim," he continued with slow em
phasis. "I'd rather get my fingers on
his throat in a death struggle than
lead the combined armies of the world
to victory."
Stuart was silent
The soft tones of hidden oriental
gongs began to chime the call for din
ner. The cbimes melted Into a beau
tiful piece of orchestral music which
seemed to steal from the sky, so skill
fully bad the musicians been conceal
ed. Nan suddenly appeared by Stuarfa
side, and be was given tbe honor of
leading his hostess into the banquet
hail before even tbe king, while the
great ones of earth slowly followed.
CHAPTER XV.
The Dance of Death.
FLUSH of excited pleasure
overspread Stuart's face as
be led bis beautiful hostess to
the dining room. Apparently
A
on entering the banquet hall they were
stepping outdoors Into an enchanted
pine forest. The walls were complete
ly bidden by painted scenery repre
senting the mountains of western
North Carolina. The room bad been
transformed iuto a forest, trees and
shrubbery melting imperceptibly tnto
tbe scenery on the walls and mock
ing birds were singing in cages hidden
high among the boughs of the trees.
"Why. Nan." Stuart gasped, ^that's
a view of the river hills at home
where you and I used to roam."
"Well, if you hadn't recognized it, 1
should never have forgiven you. Are
you pleased with my fantasy?'
"Pleased Is
not the word for it"
he replied quickly. "I'm overwhelmed.
