The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-03-31

-;..-ss--~sSa upon my couch, intending to
AagSzJ keep awake. The walls
around me might not be as solid rs
they looked, but was weary. My
nerves had been at high tension for
hours, and nature asserted herself.
Sunlight filled the room when l
awoze, and my first thought was one
of thankfulness that no tragedy was
TO be enacted i'm the square that morn
ing My next thought was of Organ.
That he had been arrested by Nascas
orders as an insult TO me had no
doubt, but | could see no way OF
avcnging the Insult at present.
Fearing the priests warning in
mind. | went out little during the
next three days. / attended to my
duties I'm the camp and visited the
guardroom each morning, but did not
linger to gossip with any Of my com
rades. IL was on the third day that |
met Count Vasca. lie approached me
i'm the most friendly manner. you
have my sympathy regarding the 9th
Ell night, Sir Verrall," he said. Most
of us know what il Is TO be Temporal
rily under n cloud. You have heard
doubtless that her highness is waver-
ing with regard to the prisonersf'
Il hear little since | am banished
from the court" | answered.
II thought Lady Aldrida might have
kept you informed Of what was going
forward
81 have not seen her since that
night, Sir Vasca. Besides, is she not
under as heavy cloud as ! am?'
"The sclfsame cloud. Sir Verrall, but
it will pass. You We're unfortunate
enough TO offend her highness some
what, but ! have some power with
her, being her kinsman, and will
speak for YOU and for the lady"
"You are generous, count, but !
would sooner plead my own cause"
AS you VIII / offered as a friend"
That day Organ returned, and, feel
ing that / owed him some explanation
ms TO why ! had not used every en-
deavor to release him, / told him Of my
Punishment.
"The prisoners may live, but they'll
be the death of us, Verrall, unless
you're careful. | wasn't brawling the
other night For the life Of me ! could
not make out why I was arrested, but
now It is all explained. Once you are
thoroughly out Of favor we may as
well commit suicide to prevent a worse
end"
"There is always Yadasara as ref
uge," suggested.
aye. If we can get there, ask moth
ing better But we've got TO get there.
Verrall."
That evening the princess sent for
me- | had just concluded that my sus-
pense was not TO be relieved that day
when one of the princess guard came.
"Her highness' orders, and will you
follow me, Sir VerrallY'
We crossed the great hall, which
was in darkness, and went along many
/ corridors with many turnings, SO that
l should have been quite unable 10
retrace my steps.
Presently we stopped. apparently In
the middle Of corridor.
"a moment Sir Verrall. l will i'm.
qulre her highness' pleasure"
lie drew back sliding door in the
wall, entered dimly lighted apart
ment and closed the door after him.
Only minute or two elapsed before
the door was opened again, and the
man beckoned me.
/ entered a small anteroOm almost
bare Of furniture and dimly lighted
but | had no time TO take particular
note OF anything, for the guard i'm
mediately drew aside the curtains
which hung over door at the opposite
end Of the room, and stood in n large
apartment and i'm the presence of the
princess.
She was half reclining upon n couch
and had she studied tho pose she could
not have chosen one more attractive
Jasar was seated near her. and they
were alone, but It seemed 90 me thai
others had been there recently for the
rugs on two or three touches in tho
room were askew, as though the occu
pants had risen hastily. I wondered
who had been with the princess, fol
1t was evident that ! had been brought
there secretly.
The princess moved slightly TO indi
cate that she was aware of my com
ing. and, feeling rather insignificant
before this beautiful woman. ap
preached and fell ON my knee before
her,