Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-13
PRINCESS MARTHA
BY PERCY BREBNER.
1903 T Mcbride SONY
BY PERCY BREBNER.
Copyright. 1903. T. J. Mcbride L Son.l

hands of this Frenchman. De Froilette. who
is serving his own ends only, who cares
nothing for Wallaria, whose reward lies
ready for payment in Russian Golfers. who
Is as false to Queen Elena and to you as
he has been to me-"
There was low murmur among the eager
crowd as Martha stopped abruptly. and
those sitting and standing near Vasilici
turned to one another and whispered to-
gether Whatever hopes lay In the hearts
Of these men. selfish hopes for the most
part perhaps, yet with some patriotism in
them, too 1t was evident that the accusa-
ton against De Froette was not entirely
surprise There were men there who had
never trusted him. and Martha recognized
that her words were not without weight.
While they still whispered. and even grew
quarrelsome over their opinions, she rose
from her seat.
For long time I have been in Sturatz-
berg watching events" she said. raising her
voice a little and obtaining instant atten-
ton. There are many there who love my
cause, some because Of my right, some be-
cause they have learned that Wallaria Is
merely the plaything of the nations. Are
there not here about me many who love
their country, who have fed from tyranny
to the freedom of these hills. not to defy
just laws but to Withstand oppression? I
tell them that Queen Elena's promises are
valueless l tell them that every move the
queen has made is known In Sturatzberg
discounted and guarded against by the min
listers of foreign powers who rule the king
( tell them that the token of the bracelet
of medallions has no power to help them to
freedom, that from first to last they have
been deceived. l might point to the golden
cross and tell them that 1t Is the sign OF
this country's salvation: but Vasilici. who
stands for chief among you. has spurned it.
/ might stand here and cry to you that he
is no chief worthy to lead an army Of pa
triots. that there is another now among
you whose right 1t is to lead who has the
power to win success; but men who bow to
windy words no countrymen of mine,
and l scorn to tempt them to such false
loyalty. Judge for yourself and choose.
There stands Vasilici. a brlgand. king of
princess, daughter OF Wallarian kings,
come among you OF her own free will
promise you not success. that knowledge Is
, in the mind of God only; but this / do
promise: l will lead you toward success.
and If We fail. die fighting in the midst Of
you. Choose. therefore, Martha or Va
silici."
The stroke was a bold one Brave men
could understand the daring of ningng
down such challenge to man like Va
! silici. here in his own stronghold. 1t ap-
pealed in a manner that nothing else
she could have done would have appealed
and she enhanced the force Of her
words by her apparent Indifference as
to what their decision might be- She re-
sumed her seat as abruptly as she had
risen from ii, and beckoned Anton to ap-
proach her.
"PrinceSsr There was reverence in his
tone as he bowed be fore her.
Listen" she said quickly. You marked
well the way We came?''
Yes, princess
There is division among them. and for
The present we are safe. perhaps but the
issue is doubtful. If they decide to hold
me prisoner for a while If their decision
be anything short OF making me their