The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-07-21

Sunlight filled the room Wnen L
awoke. and my first thought was one
of thankfulness that no tragedy was
to be enacted in the square that morn
ing My next thought was of o Ryan.
That he had been arrested by Vasca's
orders as an insult to me had no
doubt, but l could see no way OF
avenging the insult at present.
Bearing the priests warning In
mind. | went out little during the
next three days. | attended to my
duties in the camp and visited the
guardroom each morning, but did not
llnger to gossip with any of my COM
rades. 1t was on the third day that
met Count Vasca. He approached me
in the most friendly manner. You
have my sympathy regarding the 9th
er night Sir Verrall," he said. Most
of us know what it is to be Temporal
rily under a cloud. You have heard
doubtless that her highness Is waver-
Ing with regard to the prisoners"
81 hear little since | am banished
from the court" answered.
81 thought Lady Aldrida might have
kent Won informed of what was going
forward"
al have not seen her since that
night, Sir Vasca. Besides, is she not
under as heavy a cloud as | ann
"The selfsame cloud, Sir Verrall, but
II will pass. You were 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 will. l offered as friend"
That day Organ returned, and, feel
Ing that / owed him some explanation
as to why l 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. I wasn't brawling the
other night. For the life of me | could
not make out why was arrested, but
now it is all explained. Once you are
thoroughly out of favor we may as
well commit suicide to prevent worse
end"
There is always Yadasara as ref
nge," | suggested.
ave, 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 VerrallT'
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 to
retrace my steps.
Presently we stopped, apparently In
the middle of a corridor.
"A moment, Sir Verrall. / will in
quire her highness' pleasure
He drew back a sliding door in the
wall. entered a 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 large
apartment and in the presence OF the
princess.
She was half reclining upon couch,
and had she studied the pose she could
not have chosen one more attractive.
Jasar was seated near her, and they
were alone, but 1t seemed to me that
others had been there recently, for the
rugs on two or three couches In the
room were askew, rs though the occu
pants had risen hastily. | wondered
who had been with the princess, for
1t was evident that l had been brought
there secretly.
The princess moved slightly to 1ndl-
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.
you have angered me extremely,
Sir Verrall," she said, land know
not whether | have acted rightly III
sending for you now"
II crave your pardon, your highness.
and ask for your good will again
you have my pardon. My good VIII
you must deserve"
"Your hlghness has only to com
mand," | answered
She bid me rise and motioned me to
be seated sat down little removed
from her
LAS | have forgiven ! will not
speak of the other night In your coun-
try courtesy may find a different eX-
preston from that which II has here In
Drussenland. You are but a stranger
among us and have therefore. per
thance, some excuse"
Pardon, your highness. but if may
claim any excuse let me claim the one
which prompted my hasty action"
And that"
"Your highness expressed doubt
of my loyalty. Your words cut 50 deep
ly that | acted rashly."
"You acted rashly indeed, but that Is
forgiven We will speak no more of it.
The prisoners you pleaded for have not