The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-11-10

master in his Internal art, and ne
passed his hands over my arms and
/ back and thighs His touch was loath-
some not in itself exactly. but by In
/ ference. The others gathered round
/ him to watch the operation
There are muscles here that will
take some cracking" he said thought
/ fully.
IAN unlucky blow on the head might
ease that difficulty suggested.
AYE. and stretch our limbs instead
/ Of yours" he laughed My willing
ness to help you does not extend to
that"
"A quick jerk should suffice" said
Costa.
Feel that muscle, captain" was the
answer
Costa put his hand under my shout
| der and whistled.
ut is harder than the kings" said
the executioner.
II know that" Costa answered. re
membering my trial of strength with
his majesty. but that sweet machine
of yours should be equal to it"
You think it has had practice
enough. eh. captainf"
Il warrant it can be turned to crack
even the knights muscles. mighty as
/ they are" said one of the others. ut
can be gentle and powerful too Do
you remember when it embraced a
man and a woman on the same day.
THAT experiment is likely to be re-
peated." said the chief execudoner.
1.-THE princessr' I exclaimed
They say So"
why trouble Sir verrall with that?"
said Costa. evidently angry that | had
been tod.
at is of little consequence" an
swered the man, with a rough laugh.
In death man can only take care OF
himself. will treat the lady quickly.
TOO. if the knight wills it,"
With an effort l was calm.
This is indeed being a comrade,"
said. holding out my hand II have
weakness in my nature-a foolish one.
perhaps. but don't like women to suf-
fer"
at requires strength to suffer much.
Women don't suffer as men do" be re-
turned. with brutal certainty And
Il they do what matter? They are
only women"
/ dared not express my horror.
But in this case you will bring
death quickly?" | said.
You may rely on US"
4 .susl, -. - 20
rising.
had almost forgotten Organ. !
remembered him then
That man has heard our bargain"
said
He will not betray it,
do you swear not to do SOP | said.
turning to the freshman.
Il am not less merciful than the
executioners." be growled
shook each villain by the hand as
he left me and asked Costa to distrib-
ute among them what few posses
sions had shook hands even with
Organ. and then ! was left alone.
Did Organ grasp my hand more
firmly than was necessary? might
when they had gone | broke down for
the first time during my Imprisonment
| shed tears of impotent rage. pacing
my cell frantically. cursing and beat
ing its stone walls like mailman. 1t
was horrible to know that Daria would
be laid on that hideous couch to have
her fair limbs broken: that her death.
Z oh hn a
lieved it would be. should be witnessed
by such loathsome wretehes as the
men who had just left me and per
haps only by them. Only when ] was
thoroughly exhausted did l throw my
self on my rugs and fall asleep to
dream-what mockery ii was!-of
pleasant fields and sunshine.
awoke refreshed Perhaps the very
dreams | have rallied at gave my sleep
its power to refresh me. Ny first
thought was of Daria my second of
Organ. Had he pressed my hand
last night with some meaning? Surely
it was impossible. seeing how he had
helped to ruin me. but a man in dire
necessity sees hope in anything.
1t was not until the afternoon that |
had any visitors that day. ! had be-
gun to hope that I was going to be
left alone altogether when Costa came
in and bound me. as usual.
More fools with too much leisure"
1 said YEARLY.
IAN old friend this time" said a
merry voice in answer. and Lady Al
drida entered. followed by two or three
men. 1t was easy to see that they
were her captives as surely as | was
a prisoner in the fortress.
This was an old lover of mine.
gentlemen" she said gayly. He was
foolish enough not to value my friend
ship. Behold the result"
She was a pretty picture. much as
hated her: l could not deny that She
had evidently ridden to the fortress
for she carried her whip in her hand.
"Do all men who displease you come
to thisY' asked another of her cava-
liers.
u am not so unmercifuL Sir Verrall
and are old friends. or enemies
which is it?" and she turned TO me.
Enemies answered shortly.
True. and you are in my power
IL