The Ocala evening star., 1911-05-23

savage, DuC ne aSIOnlSleQ me Dy iduRn-
ing heartily. There was something Of
our own Charles II. about this mon
arch. If an answer were ready enough
he could appreciate 1t. even If 1t were
against himself.
See what we have lost. By being a
| king we forego the happiness Of being
honored by a queen. What will you
| say then. madame. of Count Vasca?
| Surely he Is q true Drussenlander
| since he Is your kinsman"
''There are no words fitting. You
and your assumption of majesty can
understand. You have fought me face
to face a determined struggle in
which you have won 1t was treach-
cry, indeed. but it was treachery open
to the sun If treachery can be hon
est, yours was. But for the man who
hides his treachery behind a smile,
| who works in secret to destroy those
he processes to honor; for the false
friend, the coward who dare not be
an open enemy, there are no words
Gather all the scoundrels there are in
Drussenland together. take from each
one the meanest trait he has, and OF
these traits build you up man. Even
then shall you have a man l would
rather claim kindred with than with
l Count Vasca."
Il "1t seems you are dangerous
friend said the king. turning to him.
) "Your majesty has not found me So"
"True. You see. madame. 1t is we'll
sometimes to use similar weapons to
those used by An adversary. II your
enemy sends spy we. too. must do the
same or our ignorance may lose US the
day. Count Vasca has received harsh
language from your lips. What have
you to say to your knight there? True,
he was faithful to you, but be just
He is a spy. By lie he entered Yada-
sara. He betrayed his friend, one Cap
tain O'Ryan. who Is with US to bear
witness against him. More-he at
tempted to kill him. What harsh words
have you for that man there?"
The kings finger pointed at me.
caused all eyes to turn toward me; Da-
ria's also.
"Gather the best In Drussenland." she
said slowly. Take what is brav est,
truest. from them all and make me a
man. A great Drussenlander indeed
would he be, yet head and shoulders
over him would rise Sir Verrall-Clin-
ton Verrall-my knight Of the Silver
Star"
| For some moments there was silence,
and no voice was raised to sneer at the
character which had been given me.
You have a powerful advocate, Sir
Knight" said the king presently. 'but
there Is another side to the question
which condemns you deeply"
81 am not worthy either Of such high
praise, your majesty, or such deep con.
demnation."
T you are modest as we'll as valiant,
4 1t would SEEM
, 81 lay claim to being an honest gen.
ueman The world holds no higher
distinction"
do honest men lie?' he asked Sc
verely. You did, else had you not
entered Yadasara the first time"
Pardon, your highness. 1t was
Captain Organ who gave certain &C.
counts Of me. which satisfied you. In
truth, my coming to the city was In
the nature Of a flight from my enc
miles,
1 was not disposed to spare Organ
Why should be?
"a valiant knight does not fee from
his enemies" said the king
'1 fed from a would be assassin
Count Vasca."
Truly, count, you have gr1evous
charges laid against you"
"Who would believe the word Of q
spy?' said the count savagely.
THAT Is we'll spoken. Sir Knight
A spy! What say you to thatf'
Even what your majesty said just
now. 1t is wise to handle similar
weapons to those used by an enemy
In the princess camp there was not
one spy, but hundred. Ever since
came to Drussenland Count Vasca and
his friends have been working to be
tray the princess. She had not been
here 1ow to hear your judgment had
Iol that scoundrel turned against hel
In the day Of battle, sealing a long
season Of treachery by a crime tina,
any man must revolt at, that your
majesty must hate"
"You are here to defend yourself
Sir knight, not to accuse our friends
81 have no Defense" / answered
81 have fought for the princess
serve. have done what a man car
do. and my conscience acquits me
But 1 have a word for your majesty
II you will give me leave"
Are words from such man worth
your majesty's attentionT' said Vasca
when this man came to DrussenlanC
he made great promises. He spoke
boastfully that he would place the
princess on the throne in Yadasara
that he would find the treasure which
1t is said. Is hidden in this land. Thi:
man has accused me Of treachery. bu
my deepest sin has been in throwfnl
IN my lot with wiser men rather thar
be carried away by the boastful prom
ises Of a deceiver."
THAT IS not all your sin, Count Vas
ca" | said. Your majesty has &C
cepted the friendship Of a man who
while be fawns upon you. Is plotting
your ruin
The count laughed contemporary.
The proof" said the king, risin,
from his chair.
Captain Organ can give 1t you"
The count spoke wisely when b.
said that your words were not wortl
our attention. We have heard tha
story from Captain Organs lips Th
captain has confessed that be was Il
error. His zeal for our safety an,