The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-04-13


and modns: Wretch that am. ALI.
woe, alb. woe is mel Such womanl
Such eyes! God have mercy on me"
He calls yasili. "vasili, my faithful
one, / have come back covered with
shame and disgrace. Vasili. I'll give
thee three ducatg if thou'lt counsel
me once more"
Yea, master, know it all A SUI
perb creature. the Sultana; but also
know that my second counsel will be
4 worth five-sIx ducats-"
4 speak, vasiIi. speak"
"When my master wins the SuItana,
be shall want to give old Vasili six
times--yea, twenty times as many
ducats. / will bring Cosma Racoare;
be win do your work" AT the name
OF Cessna Racoaren Nicola starts. BE
it so.v be mutters.
On the third day after the interview,
Cosma appeared. He was clad in a
a Russian cap well drawn over his
close-fitting fustian, heavy boots, and
head. His rife sIung across bis back
and leading his horse. be Ieigurely and
sulIenly approached Nicola. who sat
under the linden. smoking his pipe.
| vasili whispered into Nicolas ear:
Look at him, master; that fellow
will fetch you the Devil himself"
Nicola stares at Cosma; then the lat
ter says: "God be with you"
| AS ii waking from dream, Nicola
answers: ''The same with thee"
Thou knowest what ask Of thee;
well, then, what is thy price: VIII
fifty ducats satisfy thee:"
Yes answers Cosma.
'yasilI. 20 fetch my money pouch
| 'No, not yet; when shall have ac-
| complIshed my task you can pay me
I bring you the woman, you pay me
the money"
SO saying, Cosma walked into the
garden. wrapped his cloak about him
and threw himself on the grass.
"He seems the right man for my
work; a weight is lifted of my heart, :
murmurs Nicola.
AS night drew near Cosma frightened
his stirrups and mounted his horse
Await my return in the meadow,
MASTER" and away he few like an ar
row.
The full moon fickered through the
| fog, enveloping hills and forest in q
gossanier shroud. Only the clatter Of
the horses feet broke the dead 81
lence. On reaching Grasini, he found
the outer gates locked. After repeated
knockings, a voice from within cried
"Who is there"
Then, impatient at the delay, be call.
out: 1T is /, Cosma Racoare."
A light is seen fitting by, then ths
sound of voices, and at last the bolt
are withdrawn. He finds the hous,
door open. "A woman without fear,
he mutters. His steps resound through
the long, dark corridor. A door Il
thrown open, and there on it
threshold stands Sultana, radiant a
before, clad In white, and flowing hair
her hand clutchlng the scimitar.
"Who art thou? What seekest thol
lheres' she cried.
II came to carry you off. and TAX
you to Nicola Zamiride," answere'
Cosma.
$50 this is thy errandw she sail
scornfully. Beware that the fate Q
Nicola do not befall thee"
Cosma draws nearer, gives Sigh
/; twist to her wrist, and the weapo
& falls to the ground. She shrinks bac
} in dismay. and calls out: "Gabrie
!, Nicolai, Foaeder, helpw They cam
no further than the entrance. Cosm
? lays hold OF her arm, but she free
herself and snatches a dagger from
table.
! what are ye gaping at, We COW
!. ards. Advance and bind himT'
D "You sre wasting words, fair lady
' admire your courage. but it avail
you naught."
e Then the servants were heard
whisper terror-stricken:
d How may we bind him? 1t
s Cosma Racoare the inyincible."
d "Ye wretches," she shrieks, and
!. her fury attacks Cosma. He catcht
i her III his arms, takes both hands an
E, pinions them with leather strap.
,r MAKE roomw be cries. and all ste
a back Quietly. be lead her out; Ii
te while muttering to himself: What
IS superb creature. Such eyesl Sue
t pride! Nicola has chosen we'll"
SuItana glares at her terrified va
It sails, and realizes her captivity; sh
d meets the dark gaze Of her captor.
:" AWho are your she asks.
d II am Cosma Racoare."
[e She sees fear depicted on the face {
g. her people. Now she understands al.
re Cessna mounts his horse and place
M SuItana In front Of him. Away the
IS speed. To Cessna 1t seemed as il the
Is were flying through infinite space on
IA phantom horse Now and then /