The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-07-14

/ KSfPX1AN uWdlleu TIE result. there
tSsAS2J was absolute silence-it seem
ed to me for a long time-and could
| feel that the chamber was charged
with an atmosphere of expectancy. At
| such a moment one takes in many
things at a glance. Count Vasca was
| furious. | saw a curious smile wrin.
kle the corners of Jasar's mouth. and,
although did not understand its
meaning. there was in ii something
which encouraged me was con
scious that Lady Aldrida stepped back
| from me, a movement that indeed sug-
gested fear at my rashness.
| | saw the princess start, and then
the color dyed her cheeks deeply, but
there was no encouragement in her
| face For one moment it seemed as
If she remembered the giving of the
| handkerchief, but the next she was
stern, resolute, and | might have been
some poor devil craving mercy for my
self Her eyes flashed dangerously.
her mouth frightened hard and unfor-
givingly, her bosom rose and fell in
quick movement, telling of passion
ate anger which she held in check.
She looked superb, but less woman
than | had ever seen her look. Just
then she would have inspired fear. but
hardly love. | think. My sudden ac-
lion seemed to have put the key of the
situation into my hand for the mo-
nent, but her dignity and self posses
sion snatched 1t from me- Then she
Jpoke clearly, calmly.
"a token must be given to make it
IF any worth. This handkerchief, as
we remember, was merely forgotten
when, as stranger among us. we
gave you a word of sympathy. Had
we known the use you intended to put
1t to we should have sent servant to
reclaim it, Never has any subject re-
ceived token of ours You forget
yourself, Sir Verrall. and in future we
shall know how to treat you 1t were
well to absent yourself from our pres
ence until we have forgotten the in
suit"
Then, turning to one of her women,
she commanded her to take the hand
kerchief. Those about me bowed low
as the princess passed from the room
followed by her attendants.
| Not until the curtains had fallen be-
hind her did I rise from my knee 1t
was not homage which kept me there.
wanted a moment to think. | be-
lieved myself something of a martyr
for the cause of humanity. l had
done the wretched prisoners no good,
| b,,t 7 hoI ha OIL
1t had failed | should have more enc
mics in Drussenland than l had ever
had before.
Jasar had gone. Vasca was leaving
the apartment hurriedly, and those
standing near me drew back as l cross
ed the room.
At the entrance Lady Aldrida stop
ped me.
eve attempted the impossible, Sir
Verrall. l warned you that was In
no great favor with her highness."
1--WE have done what we could" |
answered "Take heed to yourself,
Lady Aldrida. 1t is i'll policy to SYM
pathize with a fallen and disgraced
man"
"That man is my
as a fool, my lady," I interrupted.
81 am in no mood for talking of it
now"
She dropped me a low courtesy, and
1 went quickly through the other
rooms, neither being spoken to nor
speaking to any.
AS l was leaving the palace, how
ever, a hand was laid upon my Shout
der, and l turned to face friend, a
knight who had ever taken part with
me against my enemies
"Sir Verrall, let me come with you"
81 warn you | am poor company to-
night" | answered.
1.-TWO swords are better than one
when the night Is dark and the attack
sudden and from behind"
''Why should you fear attack to-
night?"
1.-THE town is full of drunken sol
diers, and a fallen man is food for
any assassin's dagger. The murderer
may be thanked for getting rid of so
turbulent subject-or thinks he may"
| laughed at his somber foreboding,
but l was not Ill pleased TO have his
company His presence may have pro-
tected me, | do not know, but | reach
ed my quarters in safety.
O'Ryan was not there. | guessed
that the attractions of the town had
proved too much for him tonight and
| was not sorry to be alone. | crossed
the room and looked out upon the mar
ket place. The sounds of merrymai.
Ing run to riot rose up to me. The
dawn would bring the chanting priests.
the flashing swords and the stakes with
their CHASTITY burdens What could
do more to prevent the butchery?
Nothing absolutely nothing. ! had
played my trump card and lost
Not only had | not helped the pris-
oners, but | had put my own life in
jeopardy. | had no mercy to hope for
from the princess, and | could not eX
poet the priests to raise finger in
my protection now that | had attempt
ed TO wreck one of their dearest laws.
Should | go to the priests and playing
upon their superstition, command them
to save their prisoners? Should |
steal out, mount my horse, ride to
Yadasara and proffer my services to
laon fha Efpo's tranY,u, m tiafpfK .,r.tiust