The Lamar register., 1911-08-23

orusades, realm ruled by q
beautiful princess. for whose love
ne Knight of the Silver Star
BATTLES with powerful enemies
snd participates in stirring ad-
vsnfursa
YOU remember whun It embraced a
man and n woman on the same day."
THAT experiment is likely to be re-
peated," said the chief executioner.
1.-THE princess!' | exclaimed.
'They say so"
"why trouble Sir VERBAL with thatT
said Costa evidently angry that I had
been tod.
at Is OF little consequence" an
swered the man. with a rough laugh.
I'm death a man can only take care Of
himself viii treat the lady quickly.
too. II the knight wills it,
With an effort l was calm
This is indeed being a comrade."
said. holding out my hand. Il have a
weakness In my nature-a foolish one.
perhaps. but don't like women to suf-
fer"
TT requires strength to suffer much
Women don't suffer ms men do" he re-
turned. with brutal certainty. And
U they do what matterp They are
only women"
dared not express my horror.
But in this case you will bring
death quickly ! said.
you may rely ON u.s."
THAT is satisfactory" said Costa.
rising.
had almost forgotten O'Ryan.
remembered him then.
That man has heard our bargain"
I said.
He will not betray IT,"
"Do you swear not TO do SOP said.
turning to the Irishman-
81 am not less merciful than the
executioners." he growled.
I shook each villain by the hand as
he left me and asked Costa To distrib-
ute among them what few posses
sions I had. | shook hands even with
Organ. and then was left alone.
Did O'Ryau grasp my hand more
firmly than was necessary? | might
have spent the night wondering. but
the first time during my Imprisonment.
i shed tears Of lmpotent rage. pacing
my cell franticslly. cursing and beat
ing its stone walls like mailman. It
was horrible to know that Darla would
be laid on that hidcous couch to have
her fair limbs broken: that her death.
heroic though II might be. as ! be-
lieved 1t would be. should be witnessed
by such loathsome wretches as the
men who had just left me and per
haps only by them. Only when ! was
thoroughly exhausted did throw my
self on my rugs and fall asleep to
dream-what mockcry 1t wasi-of
pleasant fields and sunshine.
awoke refreshed. Perhaps the very
dreams | have rallied ut gave my sleep
its power to refresh me. My first
thought was Of Darla. my second Of
Organ. Had he pressed my hand
last night with some meaning? Surely
IL was impossible. seeing how he had
helped to ruin me. but n man in dire
necessity sees hope in anything.
1t was not until the afternoon that I
had any visitors that day. had be
gun to hope that | 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 n
merry voice In answer. and Lady Al
drida entered. followed by two or three
men. 1t was easy 10 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 pretty picture. much as
hated her; 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
Hers.
"I am not so unmerciful. Sir VERBAL
and I are old friends. or enemies
which is it," and she turned TO me.
~Enemies,' answered shortly.
True. and you are in my power