Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-10-11
oners offer to buy their lives with

oners offer to buy their lives with
news?"
"The man has not spoken. Indeed,
I think he got his death wound in be-
ing taken. The woman fought like q
cat also, so they said in the fort, but
she was caught without hurt. She
says she has got nothing that would
be of use to tell. She says she has
tired of living like savage outside
the city, and moreover that, inside,
there is man for whose nearness she
Graves most nightly"
"Tut!" said Phorenice "Is this
romance we have swum to? You see
what affectionate creatures we wom-
en- are, Deucalion." The galley was
brought up against the royal quay and
made fast to its golden rings. hand
ed the empress ashore, but she turned
again and faced the boat, her gar
ments still yielding up slender drip
of water. Produce your woman pris-
oner, master captain, and let us see
whether she is a runaway wife, or
lovesick girl mad after her sweet
heart. Then I will deliver judgment
on her, and as like as not will surprise
you all with my clemency. I am in
mood for tender romance to-day"
The port captain went into the little
hutch of cabin with white face. 1t
was plain that Phorenice's pleasant
ries scared him. "The man appears
to be dead, your majesty. I see that
his wounds"
Bring out the woman. you fool. I
asked for her. Keep your carrion
where it is"
I saw the fellow stoop for his knife
to cut a flashing, and presently who
should he bring out to the daylight
but the girl had saved from the cave
tigers in the circus, and who had SO
strangely drawn me to her during the
hours that we had spent afterwards in
companionship. 1t was clear, too,
that the empress recognized her also.
Indeed, she made no secret about the
matter, addressing her by name and
mockngly making inquiries about the
menage of the rebels, and the success
Of the prisoners amours.
.9rhis good port captain tells me
that you made most valiant attempt
to return, Nais, and for an excuse you
told that it was your love for some
man in the city here which drew you.
Come now, we are willing to overlook
much of your faults if you will give us
a reasonable chance. Point me out
your man, and If he is a, proper fellow
I will see that he weds you honestly.
Yes, will do more for you, Nais, since
this day brings me to husband. See
Ing that all your estate Is confscate
as penalty for your late rebellion, I
will charge myself with your dowry
and give it back to you. So come,
name me the man."
The girl looked at her with sullen
brow. II spoke'a lie," she said; there
is no man."
I tried myself to give her advocacy.
"The lady doubtless spoke what came
to her lips. When woman is in the
grip of rude soldiery, any excuse
which can save her for the moment
must serve. For myself, should
think 1t like enough that she would
confess to having come back to her
old allegiance, if she were asked"
Sir" said the empress, keep your
peace. Any interest you may show in
this matter will go far to offend me.
You have spoken of Nais in your mar
rative before; and although your
tongue was shrewd and you did not
say much, am woman and could
read between the lines. Now regard,
my rebel, have no wish to be unduly
hard upon you, though once you were
my fan-girl, and SO your running away
to these ill-kempt malcontents, who
beat their heads against my city walls,
is all the more naughty. But you
must meet me halfway. You must
give an excuse. for leniency. Point
me out the man you would wed, and
he shall be your husband tomorrow"
"There Is no man."
"Then name me one at random.
Why, my pretty Nais, not ten months
ago there were score who would
have leaped at the chance of having
you for wife. Drop your coyness,
girl, and name me one of those.
warrant you that will be your am
bassadress and win put the matter
to him with such delicacy that he will
not make you blush by refusal"
The prisoner moistened her lips. ST
am a maiden, and have maiden's
modesty. I will die as you choose, but
will not do this indecency."
well, am maiden, too, and
though because I am empress also,
questions Of state have to stand be-
fore questions of my private modesty,
and can have a sympathy for yours
although in truth I did not obtrude
unduly when you were my fan-girl,
Nais. No, come to think OF it, you
liked tender glance and pretu,
phrase as well as any when you We're
fan-girl. You have grown wild and
shy among these savage rebels, but I
will not punish you for that.
Let me call your favorites to MEM
DRY now. There was Tarca, of course;
but Tarca had difference with that
addressed father of yours, and wears
a leprosy on half his face instead of
that beard he used to trim so finely
And then there, is Tatho; but Tatho
is away over seas. Eron, too, you liked
once; but he lost an arm in fighting
t'other day, and / would not marry
you to less than a whole man. All,
by my face! l have 1t, the dainty ex-
quisite, .Rota! He is the husband!
How well remember the way he used
to dress in a change of garb each day
to catch your proud fancy, girl. Well,