Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-04-27

done the wretched prisoners M gooa
put ! had made the attempt, and since
IL nad tailed l should have more ena-
mics IN D~russenland than I had ever
had before.
Jasar had gone. vasca was leaving
the apartment hurriedly, and those
standing near me drew back as I cross
ed the room.
AT the entrance Lady Aldrida stop-
ped me.
we attempted the impossible. Sir
Verrail. warned you that | was in
no great favor with her highness.o
w have done what we could.', I
answered. Take heed to Yourself
Lady Aldrida. 1t is i'll policy to SYM
pathize with a fallen and disgraced
man."
THAT man is N.Y.
is a fool, my lady" / interrupted.
Il am in no mood for talking of II
now"
She dropped me a low courtesy. and
went quickly through the other
rooms, neither being spoken to nor
speaking to any.
AS was leaving the palace. how
ever, a hand was laid upon my shout
der, and | turned to face a friend. n
knight who had ever taken part with
me against my enemies.
Sir Nerrall, let me come with you."
Il warn you | am poor to-
night" l 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, n a fallen man is food for
any assassin's dagger. The murderer
may be thanked for getting rid of SO
turbulent a subject-or thinks he may"
| laughed at his somber f~oreboding.
but / was not i'll pleased to have his
company. His presence may have pro-
tected me, l do not know. but l reach
ed my quarters in safety.
ORyan was not there. | guessed
that the attractions of the town had
proved too much for him tonight, and
| was not sorry to be alone. l crossed
the room and looked out upon the mar
ket place. The sounds of merrymak-
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 care and lost.
Not only had l not helped the pris-
oners, but l had put my own life in
jeopardy. | had 10 mercy to hope for
from the princess, and l could not ex-
my protection now that | had attempt
ed to wreck one of their dearest laws.
Should l go to the priests and. playing
upon their superstition, command them
to save their prisoners? Should l
steal out, mount my horse, ride to
Yadasara and proffer my services to
lead the kings troops to victory against
their enemies? Should | go back to
the palace and attempt to speak again
with the princess? And then. | regret
to say. | wondered If the lives of these
prisoners were worth the sacrifice |
had made for them. whether | should
not have been wiser to take Organs
advice and look after my own skin.
Presently | realized that the town
had grown quieter. Listening foi
OtRyan. I heard something else
stealthy footsteps coming along the
corridor. Under the circumstances il
was not strange that | should think
of treachery. | drew my sword noise
fssly and waited. There WAS a quick
knock IT my door.
"SNho comes ut SO late an hourY' !
said, throwing the door open and ready
to defend myself.
welcome you all your friends so
Sir VerraIl?"
1t was Iasar. and he smiled as Ii
pointed to my drawn sword.
81 expected a foe"
And perhaps with reason" he saiG
"Still. | come as Il friend and secretly
Close the door and make II fast and
let us speak low. Your servant ha:
not returned!"
No
And will not tonight, He was fount
brawllng in the streets and was ar
: rested
4 thought soldiers were privileged
10 hrawl tonight" | said.
+ .Some-not all"
! "You mean that only my servant wa
7 arrestedt"
He bowed and watched ne with
9 smile upon his face. even as he ha'
watched me as | pleaded to the prln
u cess.
.By yasea's orders. doubtless"
.Doubtless."
"Ah, for a few moments with bin
II to settle our score now aud for a
I time.'' | said impatiently.
what car you expect? \ fa'le
man is ever Il stepping stone who
others use to rise to higher favor
sstallen, you say, 1t IS too rash a
assertion Falling, perhaps, Tut as