New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-05-03
lcoNT1NurD.1

day" ii
II have had greater affairs to settle
than that, mistress" and, fool that
was, almost blushed to think how
far truth had retreated from me.
when seek to prove you it shall
be hard task then,' she whispered
And then she stood up suddenly.
I There is music in the lower room.
Ny feet long to dance, since my heart
is light. VIII you take me?"
I believe would have married her
there and then had she asked, so great
a fool was I.
The Lady Aldrida danced gracefully,
and I do not think disgraced her as
a partner. I did my best to please,
for was glad to lead her through the
dance.
The dance over, I pledged her In
wine, sealing, as it were, the words I
had spoken, and she blushed sweet
acceptance Of my homage.
'Has never Vasca pledged you so ?"
l asked.
II hope not or yours would be a
false pledge, seeing that he seeks my
company no longer"
"Truly a fool to forsake such ia
vors.' .> =
"Yet he does so for the fayors Of a
princess" she said in low voice.
'Tell me, not as you see with lovers
eyes, but critically-on your honor,
critically-am not as fair as she?'
"Nay, mistress, you judge yourself
but harshly," answered promptly.
Perhaps for this reason I began to
hear what others around us were talk
all save Lady Aldrida.
Tomorrow in the market place.
were the first words I caught. They
were uttered by a man seated little
space from us. spoken to his compan-
ion, a woman, and could well guess
of what he spoke.
= Tomorrow she said. sis it not
cruel law"
"Cruel? Yes, but necessity is often
cruel,' her companion answered. ITO
let them go would be madness; to
spare them would be to gather enc
mics within our walls. Speak no more
of them. They are not worth the exer-
else Of your sweet lips" .
"Pardon me, Sir Knight" l said,
turning to him. lis it of the prison
ers you speak,"
Eyes, Sir Verrall. They die tomor-
row."
prisoners Of war always die on the
morrow" said Lady Aldrida. "What
are they to us?"
1T is barbarous custom-disgrace-
full to brave men,"
"Still it is the law"
'Then there should be no such law"
She shrugged her pretty shoulders.
''What would you, Sir Verrall" she
asked, rising with some excitement.
81 would do something for these
same prisoners Of ours"
'Tonight?"
"Surely, since they die tomorrow"
She looked straight into my eyes.
What she saw there I do not know.
but she put her hand in mine sud-
denly.
- will do what you WILL
s'Then let US to the princess"
"Blame me not If we fail" she said.
'.The princess does not overfavor me
at present"
II have an argument to make her
attentive to a petition" I answered.
"A dangerous one to use perchance.
but this is no time to count the COST
Count vasca was still with the pr1n-
cess, and Jasar stood close beside her
chair. As we approached I saw that
we had come at an inopportune time.
Vasca's brow was clouded. That l
did not fear. But the princess was
evidently angered.
"You come too late to give us coun-
rel, Sir Verrall," she said angrily.
''Think you there is nothing besides
feasting to be done"
"Your highness must pardon me, but
thought tonight was given to feast
ing. The noisy town bid me think so.
and
lis it aught to me what the rabble
of the town do?' she interrupted.
"And here were dancing and making
merry. Your highness did not call me
to counsel"
'1t seems, Sir Verrall, that you please
yourself and come when do not CALL"
ITO ask a favor. princess"
"Favors are easily asked" she re-
turned in a tone that showed she was
prepared to refuse me.
at is a favor, yet not for myself
"For the Lady Aldrida, doubtless,
since she comes with you. You chose
a fitting knight to do your wishes,
madame, yet not one who cannot be
refused"
She spoke in sneering fashion.
which made me lose some of the calm
ness had intended using. The cloud
on vasca's brow lifted too He was
pleased that the princess received me
SO ungraciously.
'"The favor is not for Lady Aldrida.
lShe would doubtless have been rece1v-
'pd kindly had she brought any request