The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-07-21
l"WHITE MARIE"
i .4LMOST PERSUADED" Ere.
.eoas4alsnr. 1887. sY TINE nraanM cone.,r.

r.copTRioRT. 1897. BY the hERRsAM cospuN.
: HE is easily pleased, said the Eng
lishman, "for I have done nothing I
crafty him."
II thought he would like you, and
felt that your friend would have to sui
fer, but could not help him. -
He shall not suffer if can proven
it,"
"Sh-be cautious. Those words, i'm
plying an inclination to treason, if spo
ken to any other officer, would plac
you under immediate arrest. / like you
therefore want to warn you agains
such folly. You are wholly in the king
power. Another thing would special
~ warn you against
I Sand that is?''
"Not tn allow the king to suspect
your admiration for the Princess Der
nardino 1t would displease the king
! She is much taken with you. saw il
in her eyes when she danced for your
entertainment.
Thorndyke made no reply, but gazed
searchingly into the eyes Of the officer.
Tradmos laughed.
you are afraid of me-
/ "No, l am not. I trust you wholly.
l know that you are honorable. never
make mistake along that line. .
! Tradmos bowed, pleased by the COM
/ pliment.
II shall aid you all I can with my
advice, for / know you will not betray
me, but at present l am powerless to
give you material aid. Every subject of
this realm is bound to the autocratic
will OF the king. 1t is impossible for
any one to get from under his power. -
"Why?''
1.-The only outlet to the urper world
is carefully guarded by men who would
not be bribed
rs there any chance for my friend?''
None that / can see. But must
walk on. There comes one of the kings
attendants. -
The king has asked to speak to
you," announced the attendant to
Thorndyke.
Il will go with you," was his reply.
And he followed the man through the
crowded corridors into the throneroom
OF the king. Thorndyke forced smile
as he saw the king smiling at him as he
approached the throne.
what do you think of my palace?'
asked the king after Thorndyke had
knelt before him.
"It is superb, answered the English
man, recalling the advice of Bernar-
dino. II am dazed by it's splendor, it's
architecture and it's art. / have seen
nothing to equal it ON earth
The king rose and stood beside him.
His manner was both pleasing and SYM
pathetic. II am persuaded, said he,
"that you will make good subject and
have the interest of Alpha always at
heart, but have often been mistaken
In the character of men and think it
best to give you IA timely warning. An
attendant will conduct you to oham-
Der beneath the palace, where it will be
your privilege to converse with a man
who once planned to get up a rebellion
among my people. -
There had ooo1.iie suddenly a stern
hafshiiess into the kings tone that
aroused the fears of Thorndyke. He was
about to reply, but the king held up his
hand. "Wait till you have visited the
dungeon of Nordeskyne. Then am sure
that You will be convinced that strict
obedience in thought as we'll as deed is
best for an inhabitant of Alpha"
Speaking thus, he signed to an attend
ant, who came forward and bowed.
Conduct him to the dungeon of Nor
deskyne and return to me-" ordered the
king.
Thorndyke's heart was heavy, and he
was filled with strange forebodings, but
he simply smiled and bowed, as the at
tendant led him away. The attendant
opened door at the back of the throne
room. and they were confronted by
darkness. They went along a narrow
corridor for some distance, the darkness
at every step. There was
no sound except the sound of the guides |
shoes on the smooth stone pavement.
Presently the man released Thorndy ke' 8 |
arm, saying:
1t is narrow here; follow close be-
hind, and do not attempt to 90 back. -
II shall certainly stick to you, re-
piled the Englishman dryly. They turn
ed a sharp corner suddenly and were
going in another direction when Thorn
dyke felt soft, warm hand steal into
his from behind and knew intuitively
that it was Bernardino. The guide was
a few feet i'll advance of them, and she
drew Thorndyke's head down and whis-
pered into his ear:
''Re brave-by all that you love--for
your life, keep your presence of mind,
and -
What was that?'' asked the guide,
turning suddenly and catching the Eng
lishman S arm II thought heard whis-
pering."
II was saying my prayers, that is
all, and the Englishman pressed the
hand of the princess, who, pressed close
against the wall, was gliding cautious
y away.
Prayers, humph- you'll need them
ateT, Come orr, ARD he caught the
Englishman's arm ard hastily drew
lin cslward Thornd ylze's spirits sank
over The air Of the narrow under
sround corridor was cold and damp,
md he qni yered from head to loot.
3 W rsYr !. y,-r, ~, ~ ssss