The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-05-17

she said presently.
with you to defend you" answer
ed. But happiness must not make
me forgetful. My darling, peril Is at
our door"
And l kissed her for the pause she
made before the last word.
DO you remember why you are
here?' / asked.
81 had almost forgotten
'You are on your way to Yadasara
to rescue me-"
And now you have come. Yet 1t
does not appear wonderful. 1t seems
natural that you should come to me.
In my deepest anxiety | have felt that
your life and mine were one. All,
Clinton, in your country women may
not speak their hearts So Forgive me
II my confession sounds strange to you.
but love has come to me once and for
all time; there seems no sin in telling
it."
With her hand In mine / told her
all, not exaggerating. yet not making
too light Of my perils, for love glowed
brighter in her eyes as | told the
story. She loved me more for what
1 had endured and grasped my hand
tightly as l recounted Lady Aldrida's
attempt upon my life. the fight on the
stairs, the fall from the city walls and
the struggle with the dead man in the
river / finished and waited for her to
speak.
You would have me believe my
III
of villains?' she said
81 have told you what is said Of
him in Yadasara, common talk over
| every fiagon Of wine. l believe it was
he who sent Lady Aldrida to the
king"
HE cannot be so great a traitor"
Think you he would have devised
this expedition to save me? Have l
| greater enemy in Drussenland than
| Count Vasca? He loves you. AS the
| woman he loves, you are far more
than as the princess he pays homage
| to. Once he has betrayed you, you
are a princess no longer. He believes
he could make terms with the wom-
an
| cit is unlike you, Clinton. to make
| a man out so vile as this"
"Let me learn that l have wronged
him and on my knees 1 will ask his
pardon" l returned "Why. Daria,
look at the place where you are en-
camped tonight! Would any 'eader
choose such a positfonF'
Indeed. he gave me many reasons
for doing so.'
| "Speaking lies, Daria."
| Flush. Clinton. he is my kinsman."
"He is your worst enemy-a treach
erous friend Why should he so urge
your coming? Is the thick Of battle
safe place for your
81 command, Clinton. That should
put double courage into the men,"
Into loyal men. Your camp is full
| Of men who are not loyal"
81 will not believe that"
"You must believe it, Daria. Would
that our safety allowed me to fling a
challenge to the count to prove his
| honesty. cannot; the treachery is
| too widespread, and, with insidious
words, he has lulled your suspicious
! even as he has those of some Of your
| most loyal knights. That messenger
who came to you came with a lie upon
his lips. Sir Walen almost Quarreled
with me when I accused the count,
and you, my dear one, doubt me-"
mo, Clinton, do not say that; but,
surely, you may misjudge the count.
Since you are here the reason for this
expedition IS gone. but your presence
is reason enough why l cannot re-
turn. There is no happiness behind
us. Only by conquest can hope to
make the Drussenlanders respect you.
Courage, my knight. The blood leaps
too warmly through my veins for me
to fear. We shall not fail. In Yada-
sara did you find the key of Drussen-
land?"
mo"
1--WE may have to seek it together"
would that we could start the quest
tonight
1--WE have not failed yet" she an
swered 81 will send for Sir Walen at
once"
She gave her orders sharply. 1t was
wonderful how easily she became the
princess.
"If there is danger we will at least
be ready for It," she said
Sir Walen came, and Jasar was also
admitted to the conference at my sug-
gestion.
You know what Sir Verrall fears, -
she said to Walen when he had named
the companies he could trust 1--WE
think his anxiety for our safety out
runs his judgment, but IL it is so 1t
Is fault well founded in loyalty. We
must be prepared. Sir Walen. you
will at once See that these companies
are drawn together They will form
one wing of our advancing army.
which you and Sir Verrall will com
mand. 1t will be for you to protect
our person. See to our command at
once
Sir Walen bowed and left the tent.
'Jasar. send a messenger to the
count and bid him come to US. Stay
Can he know that Sir Verrall has re-
turned?'
mo. your highness."
Then send to him. Say nothing OF
Sir Verrall."
What are you going to doT"I asked
when Jasar had left us
Il am taking your advice and pre-
pairing for danger. Are you not salts
fied?''
1T would be we'll TO treat the count
carefully"
II wish to give him my instructions
that is all You shall hear them. CT