The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-05-16

I'll d SUI coA LII SSoAA-
0J ed and in rags; but, almost
brusquely I fear. 1 pushed his arm
aside This was no time to give way
10 fatigue or despair 1t was the time
to act and to act quickly.
MY watch is over" said the knight.
81 waited only for you. You look
spent, Sir Verran. will send for food
and wine"
One Of the soldiers left US; the other
led us into the princess apartments.
He knocked out his torch and remain
l passed into the chamber I knew SO
well
Tell me ALL" l entreated.
you had promised to go In three
days, and when 1t was found that you
had departed secretly reaction came
In favor of the priests and of Vasca.
At the street corners men talked
treachery To Sir Walen and others
whom she trusted the princess told
the reason and the manner Of your
going It was wise to be secret doubt
less, but it gave great occasion to
your enemies. The princess threaten
ed to treat those who murmured with
the greatest severity. No one could
stay her. You were In danger, she
said, and that was an all sufficient rea-
son for her going.
Did Vasca persuade her to set out
for Yadasara?'
''At first, no.
"Ah. The time was not ripe"
"She liked not his advice" he went
on. Il remember her words, for she
spoke angrily: 1t would not be IN
pleasant to you, count. If the knight
should never ride into our gates again.
You were ever his enemy He bore
her resentment we'll. 1t was a hard
accusation. Early yesterday the forces
moved toward Yadasara. We tried to
prevent her, fearing treachery Count
| Vasca is in command"
"She made her peace with himF'
| Rather, Sir Verrall, he made his
peace with her. Two nights ago a
man Of Yadasara brought captive into
the camp declared that you were in
great danger, that 1t was known you
were spy and that you were likely
to meet a quick reckoning-might even
already have done So"
"a foul plot" I said between my
teeth.
81 marked the princess as he spoke"
| he went on. Her face had no color
in it, and the red Of her lips turned
gray A light grew in her eyes that
/ had never seen there before nor in
the eyes of any woman, light as
that along the edge of sword drawn
for vengeance-there was no mercy In
it. When she spoke it was another
voice than hers. hard as a mans In
passion"
"And Vasca?"
"He applauded her prompt action.
Now that we know the danger to him
who is risking his life for Drussen-
land what private rivalry there has
been between US Is past, is nothing,
Is forgotten. With your highness
cry, ITO arms"'' The princess gave
him her hand, and the color came
back into her cheek. So the count
made his peace. All night the town
rang with preparation. Men. aye, and
women. too. shouted jubilantly: To
arms. On toward Yadasarar The
| Sot va w ACU iCtaoSh say, Win q " iSii
of fine rain, yet a CLEAN Of sunlight
shone as the princess came from the
palace She rode, a warrior in COM
plete steel, and shout rang loud and
high at her coming. 1 warrant the
sight Of her turned many a traitor
into loyal subject"
Heaven grant it so! But there is
the foulest treachery afoot, Sir knight.
That captive was no captive. but a
messenger proclaiming to the count
that the time was ripe"
I'VE feared treachery, Sir Verrall,
but we were powerless except to fol
low the princess. OF those who swore
to protect her l alone am here. 1t
was Jasar who suggested that should
wait for you
"Who is with you that you can
trust?''
"a dozen men. Here are food and
wine; you need them" said the knight
Tell me how deep Is the treachery."
$50 deep that death grips hands
with loyalty. In Yadasara there are
many for the count. In Yadasara Lady
Aldrida attempted my life. Ten days
ago at least l escaped from the city
You may Judge what truth there was
In the messenger the count brought tC
the princess.
Let me change these rags for armoI
and We will GO" cried, draining the
wine. 1t put new strength in me.
Every man who yields a loya
sword is necessary to the princess
now l said. Have your men by the
gates in half an hour"
So at midnight we rode from the
gates. Strange that after running
away from Yadasara l should so ca
gerly ride toward 1t again.
It was toward sundown that we
found the camp. pitched in place sur
rounded by thick woods, and it was
fortunate that our coming happened
upon point where friends were OIL
We might have been intent ionally mis-
taken for the enemy.
l thought il we'll that my presence
in the camp should not be generally
known until | had seen the princess
So. entering tent. ! sent TO ask JaSal
and Walen TO come TO me They
would know better than | could who
was to be trusted and who not. told
Walen Nasca was a villain, but he die
not believe me-
Turning 10 Jasar. | asked when
! could see the princess alone.
When you will. She will not leave
her tent again tonight
Then | will come now"
[ Tnla la< D.