The Calumet news., 1911-04-12
CHAPTER xxi.

7 not KNOW. / WIS ~ De AOllultus dHu
since the king had such iends as Vas
ca and Lady Aldrida beside him there
was no knowing what horrors they
might not persuade him TO perpetrate
upon me- Yet, strange 10 say, / was
not utterly cast down.
Costa heayed fat. heavy sigh Of
relief when be got me back into my
dungeon.
81 said it was all waste Of time."
he remarked in callous manner.
"And you didn't take my advice. You
spoke too much"
He sat thoughtfully for a few mo-
ments.
About these executlonersT"
"WenY
"You must make friends with them"
"How? | have nothing to give in
exchange for their courtesy"
zone doesn't do much for nothing
in this country as rule" he laughed,
NOR in any other country, for that
matter. But we have Il certain admi-
ration for a brave man. 1t might be
managed. We must make friends
with these executioners."
His friendliness encouraged me.
would you grant me a favor?"
asked
He was on his guard in moment.
"It is not easy to grant favors in my
position"
This is not large one. Tell me.
am | still allowed n daily constitutions
al on the rampartsY
"Oh. yes. You will be treated we'll
until your last day dawns."
And the princess toof"
"Yes, and the other prisoners too"
"Could you not so arrange it that
we might meet upon the ramparts"
'Tmpossiblew
Think. Costa, she IS n woman. A
kind word of encouragement would
mean so much TO her."
Trust me. will speak the kind
word"
"She and I are friends in aaliction;
It would mean more to her If spoke
It."
81 do not doubt that" he said. with
a chuckle. "You attempted to deceive
me when you said you did not love
her"
81 reverence her"
"Yet you say you do not love herr"
"Have l actually said that? Come,
Costa. grant me this favor, and you
may demand of me anything it is i'm
my power to give. You shall stand by
me while | speak TO her In q few
days | shall be lying leaden footed
in the river below us. 1t will be good
to remember that you did a comrade
q service"
81 like you. Verrall, but l love my
self better. / cannot do 1t. 7 will see
what j can do with the executioners."
Had | had only myself to think OF
believe should have made a dash
for liberty during one of my daily con.
stitutions and thrown myself from the
ramparts. had Daria TO think of.
What good was an easy death for me
If she were left TO suffer?
In these days, indeed. It would have
been difficult to accomplish such an
escape. was n show prisoner. A.
the time Of my constitutional n small
crowd collected upon the ramparts TO
watch me as ] walked to and fro !
There was, however. very unpleas- |
ant side to being a show prisoner. At |
different times my cell was visited by |
the aristocracy of the city, even wom- |
EN- and children coming to look upon |
the man who had once escaped from
Hadasara and was so mighty a war.
riOr.
My fame had outstripped all reason.
remember child who came one dov
a dark haired little girl with Thought.
tul eyes. She stood before me, looking
Mt me iptently. Presently smiled at
her, TO her great delight. for she turn.
ed to her mother and remarked:
Il don't believe he would hurt me"
POOR little woman! / should think
not. Evidently was the fashionable
bogy to frighten naughty children
with.
Organ constantly came with Costa.
never alone. The Spaniard was afraid
that his lieutenant might do me an in.
Jury ORyan never spoke TO me, and
over and over again Costa rallied nj
4im Tor not making my last days as
pleasant as possible.
surely 1t is revenge enough 10 see
former comrade in such a bad case"
he urged.
But the Irishman was obdurate.
wondered that he could have changed
10 completely.
one evening Costa came. accomna.
ned by four men, as villainous look.
ng crew surely as could be i'm.
lglned. They entered stealthlly. ne
hough they were on secret mission.
'nd | rose from my seat, while n
strange thrill Travelled up my spine
thought my time had come.
Il could not bring them before" said
'osta. "You have been holding so
many receptions"
j was relieved. !
THE executioners" said. irving to !
ppear as IL their coming had not dis
oncerted me. Gentlemen. I regret
nat the poorness of my dwelling docs
ot allow me to offer you much hos. I
'ltality nor much comfort. fear s
'erhaps we may have some wine. i
Il ordered 1t as we came" said u
'osta ''''u