The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-04-28
CHAPTER X.


ed to me for long time-and I could
feel that the chamber was charged
with an atmosphere Of expectancy. At
such a moment one takes in many
things at a glance. Count Vasca was
furious. | saw a curious smile wrin-
kle the corners Of Jasar's mouth. and
although / did not understand It's
meaning, there was In 1t something
which encouraged me- / was con
scious that Lady Aldrida stepped back
from me, a movement that indeed sug-
gested fear at my rashness
/ saw the princess start. and then
the color dyed her cheeks deeply. but
there was no encoura cement in her
face. For one moment ii seemed as
If she remembered the giving OF the
handkerchief, but the next she was
stern, resolute, and I might have been
some poor devil craving mercy for my
self. Her eyes flashed dangerously.
her mouth frightened hard and unfor-
givingly, her bosom rose and fell in
quick movement, telling Of a passion
ate anger which she held in check.
She looked superb, but less a woman
then she would have inspired fear. but
hardly love, l think. My sudden ac-
ton seemed to have put the key of the
situation into my hand for the mo-
ment, but her dignity and self posses
sion snatched it from me. Then she
spoke clearly, calmly.
"a token must be given to make Il
of any worth. This handkerchief. as
we remember, was merely forgotten
when, as a stranger among us. we
gave you a word of sympathy. Had
we known the use you intended to put
1t to we should have sent servant to
reclaim 1t. Never has any subject re-
ceived a token of ours. You forget
yourself, Sir verrall, and in future we
shall know how to treat you It We're
well to absent yourself from our pres
ence until we have forgotten the in
suit"
Then, turning to one of her women.
she commanded her to take the hand
kerchief. Those about me bowed low
as the princess passed from the room
followed by her attendants.
Not until the curtains had fallen be-
hind her did 1 rise from my knee. 1t
was not homage which kept me there.
1 wanted a moment to think. 1 be-
lieved myself something Of martyr
for the cause of humanity. 1 had
done the wretched prisoners no good,
but had made the attempt. and since
1t had failed l should have more enc
mics in Drussenland than I had ever
had before.
Jasar had gone. Vasca was leaving
the apartment hurriedly, and those
standing near me drew back as / cross
ed the room.
At the entrance Lady Aldrida stop
ped me.
I'VE attempted the impossible. Sir
Verrall. l warned you that / was in
no great favor with her highness'
I've have done what we could" l
| answered Take heed to yourself.
Lady Aldrida. 1t is i'll policy to sym
| pathize with fallen and disgraced
man."
THAT man Is my
as fool. my lady," l interrupted
81 am in no mood for talking Of 1t
now
| She dropped me q low courtesy, and
| I went quickly through the other
rooms. neither being spoken to nor
| speaking to any.
| As was leaving the palace, how
ever. a hand was laid upon my Shout
der, and l turned to face a friend,
knight who had ever taken part with
me against my enemies
"Sir Verrall. let me come with you"
81 warn you l am poor company to-
night" I answered.
1.-TWO swords are better than one
when the night is dark and the attack
sudden and from behind
why should you fear attack to-
night
THE town is full of drunken SOL
diers, and a fallen man is food for
any assassin'S dagger. The murderer
may be thanked for getting rid of so
turbulent subject-or thinks he may
1 laughed at his somber foreboding.
but / was not i'll pleased to have his
company. His presence may have pro-
tected me, | do not know. but / reach
ed my quarters in safety.
Organ was not there. | guessed
| that the attractions of the town had
proved too much for him tonight, and
/ was not sorry to be alone. | crossed
the room and looked out upon the mar
| ket place. The sounds of merrymak-
Ing run to riot rose up TO me. The
dawn would bring the chanting priests,
the flashing swords and the stakes with
their CHASTITY burdens. What could
do more TO prevent the butchery
! Nothing-absolutely nothing. | had
played my trump card and lost.
Not only had l not helped the pris-
oners. but / had put my own life in
jeopardy. I had no mercy TO hope for
from the princess. and | could not ex-
pect the priests 10 raise n finger In
my protection now that l had attempt
ed to wreck one Of their dearest laws
Should | go 10 the priests and. playing
upon their superstition. command them
TO save their prisoners: Should l
steal out. mount my horse, ride &c
Yadasara and proffer my services &c
lead the kings troops to victory against
their enemies? Should | go back &c
the palace and attempt to speak again
with the princess? And then, l regret
to say. wondered if the lives OF these
prisoners were worth the sacrifice
had made for them, whether | should
not have been wiser to take O'Ryan's
advice and look after NV own skin.