Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1902-03-26
CHAPTER X.-CoNTINUED.

This 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
1 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 confiscate
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 a sullen
brow. 81 spoke lie," she said; there
is no man."
/ tried myself to give her advocacy
1.-The lady doubtless spoke what came
to her lips. When a woman is in the
grip of rude soldiery, any excuse
which can save her for the moment
must serve. For myself, I should
think it 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 I could
read between the lines. Now regard,
my rebel, l 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 a score who would
have leaped at the chance of having
you for wife. Drop your coyness,
girl, and name me one of those. I
warrant you that / will be your am
bassadress and will put the matter
TO him with such delicacy that he will
not make you blush by REFUSAL
The prisoner moistened her lips 81
am a maiden, and 1 have a maiden's
modesty. l will die as you choose, but
will not do this indecency."
"Well, l am a 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 sympathy for yours
although in truth l did not obtrude
unduly when you were my fan-girl,
Nais. No, come to think of it, you
liked a tender glance and a pretty
phrase as we'll as any when you were
fan-girl. You have grown wild and
shy among these savage rebels, but 1
will not punish you for that.
LET me call your favorites to mem
DRY now. There was Tarca, of course:
but Tarca had a 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 whole man. All.
by my face! l have it, the dainty ex-
quisite, Rotai He is the husbandi
How well remember the way he used
to dress in change of garb each day
TO catch your proud fancy, girl. Well