Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-05-18

"a. entering 4 tent, ] sent to ask JasAr
and Walen to come to me. They
would know better than l could who
was to be trusted and who not told
Walen Vasca was q villain. but ne oio
not believe M.
Turning to Jasar. l asked when
could see the princess alone.
"When you will. She will not leave
her tent again tonight"
Then l will come now"
Walen left ~. and his manner trou-
bled me. To him more than to any
other knight l looked for support, and
II be had not actually failed me be
had clearly shown that he wa not
ready to follow me blindfold.
We went silently through the camp.
We passed vasca's tent and heard the
sound Of feasting within. 1t struck me
| that there was q lack of discipline
throughout. and my anxiety for the
| future would have been greater had
| not the thought that l was to see Daria
| again thrown all other thoughts Into
the corners Of my brain.
The tent was well guarded. The
| priest went in and In a few moments
| returned. I entered alone.
Daria had risen to greet me. As
| the curtain of the tent fell behind me
she seemed undecided whether to come
to the arms ready to be held out to
| her-whether to be all the woman or
still something of the princess.
"Daria."
l doubt not there was su~pplication
In my tone. in my attitude. as l open
ed my arms to her. She crept into
them with a little sigh which was suf-
| hcient answer to all my desires. and
in a long silence. while her lips met
mine. I felt rewarded for all ! had
come through.
"You are safe and with me again."
she said presently.
with you to defend you" ! answer
ed. But happiness must not make
me f~orgetful. My darling. peril 10 at
our door,"
II fear nothing-now." she answered.
And I kissed her for the pause she
made before the last word
do you remember why you are
here7" l asked.
II 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 l have felt that
your life and mine were one. All,
Clinton. in your country women may
not speak their hearts "a. Forgive me
II my confession sounds strange to you.
all time; there seems no sin in telling
it."
With her hand in mine I told her
all. not exaggerating. yet not making
too light of my perils. for love glowed
brighter In her eyes as l told the
story. She loved me more for what
/ had endured and grasped my hand
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. l finished and waited for her to
speak.
"You would have me believe my
kinsman. Count vasca. the greatest
Of villainsr' she said
81 have told You what Is said Of
him In Yadasara. common talk over
every flagon Of wine. l believe 1t was
he who sent Lady Aldrida to the
king"
HE cannot be so great q traitor"
think you he would have devised
this expedition to ave me? Have l
a greater enemy in Drusseniand than
Count vasca7 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 WON
an"
1T Is unlike you. Clinton. to make
a man out so vile as this"
LET me learn that | IA wronged
him and on my knees l will ask his
pardon" l returned. why. Daria.
look at the place where you are en-.
camped tonight! Would any leader
choose such a positionr'
Indeed. he gave me many reasons
for doing So"
speaking lies. Daria."
"Hush. Clinton. he is my kinsman."
HE Is your worst enemy-a treach.
erous friend. Why should be 80 urge
your coming? Is the thick of battle q
safe place for your
II command. Clinton. That should
put double courage into the men,"
Into loyal lei Your camp il full
Of men who are not loyal"
y" will not believe that"
you must believe 1t, Daria. Would
that our safety allowed me to ding q
challenge to the count to prove bis
honesty. I cannot: the treachery Il
too widespread. and. with insidious
words. he has iulled your suspicious
even as he has those OF some of your
most loyal knights. Yhat messenReI