The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-07-21
WHITE MARIE
ALMOST PERSUADED" Ere.
copTRioHT. 1887. BY the hEHRtaAa COMPANY.

= IetG 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 I want to warn you agains
such folly. You are wholly in the king
power. Another thing would special
~ warn you against ..N
"And that is?''
"Not tn allow the king to suspec
your admiration for the Princess Ber
nardino. 1t would displease the king
She is much taken with you. saw i
In her eyes when she danced for you
entertainment.
Thorndyke made no reply, but gazet
searchingly into the eyes of the officer
Tradmos laughed.
"You are afraid of me-
mo, am not. trust you wholly.
l know that you are honorable. / never
make mistake along that line. -
Tradmos bowed, pleased by the COM
pliment.
81 shall aid you all I can with my
advice, for l know you will not betray
! me, but at present | am powerless to
give you material aid. Every subject of
/ this realm is bound to the autocratic
will OF the king 1t is impossible fo-
any one to get from under his power. -
"Why?" ~.
"The only outlet to the u~per world
is carefully guarded by men who would
not be bribed'' ~
Is there any chance for my friend?'
None that I 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. ....
sit is superb, answered the English
man, recalling the advice of Bernar-
dino. 81 am dazed by it's splendor, it's
architecture and its art. I 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 1 have often been mistaken
in the character of men and think it
best to give you timely warning. An
attendant will conduct you to a obam-
Der beneath the palace, where it will be
your privilege to converse with a man
who once planned to get Up rebellion
among my people" -.
There had CINE suddenly stern
hafshness 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 all 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 filed 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's
arm, saying:
1T is narrow here; follow close be-
hind, and do not attempt to 60 back. !"
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 intuitiyely |
that it was Bernardino. The guide was |
a few feet in advance of them, and she
drew Thorndyke's head down and whis-
pered into his ear:
Be brave-by all that you love-for
your life, keep your presence of mind,
and "-
What was that?'' asked the guide,
burning suddenly and catching the Eng
lishman S arm I thought heard whis-
pering."
was saying my prayers, that is
All, and the Englishman pressed the
nand Of the princess, who, pressed close
against the wall, was gliding cautious
y away.
Prayers, humph you'll need them
ateT, Come on ARD he caught the
Englishman's arm AKA hastily drew
lifi nd Tllorndylze's spirits eank
over lie air Of the narrow under
round corridor was cold and damp,
md BE qti vered from head to FOOT.
CHAPTER TX
Bralsasko par sea again ii his walk
- 4t .e a