Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-06-16

tCOntlnued from rage NlnS-J
me 1rst time during my Imprisonment.
shed tears Of impotent rage. pacing
my cell frantically. cursing and beat
ing its stone walls like a mailman It
was horrible to know that Daria would
be laid on that hideous couch to have
her fair limbs broken; that her death,
heroic though 1t might be, as I be-
llieved It would be, should be witnessed
by such loathsome wretches as the
men who had just left me and per-
Ehaps only by them Only when was
thoroughly exhausted did I throw my
self on my rugs and fall asleep to
.I1ream-what mockery 1t was!-of
pleasant fields and sunshine.
awcAe refreshed. Perhaps the very
dreams l have rallied at gave my sleep
its power to refresh me. My first
thought was OF Daria. my second Of
Organ. Had he pressed my hand
last night with some meaning? Surely
It was impossible. seeing how he had
helped to ruin me. but man in dire
necessity sees hope I'm anything.
1t was not until the afternoon that I
had any visitors that day. l had be-
gun to hope that l WAS going to be
ieIL alone altogether Wien SOSld SoIhe
in and bound me, as usual.
More fools with too much LEISURE"
7 said YEARLY.
"An old friend this time" said
merry voice In answer, and Lady AL
drida entered. followed by two or three
men. 1t was easy to see that they
were her captives as surely as l 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 a 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 this?" asked another of her cara-
liers.
II am not so unClercifui. Sir Verran
and 1 are old friends. or enemies
which is it?" and she turned to ne
Enemies" I answered shortly.
True. and you are in my power"
THAT does not trouble me-"
you have yet to learn the terrors
this fortress holds. You shall have
one spectator. l warrant you. when
slow turn of the lever draws that body
of yours into agony. For all your
boasting. these walls. solid though
they be. will hardly drown your cries.
and II you have sense left to hear any
thing you shall hear my laugh"
~ shall be glad of a spectator"
answered at gives a man courage"
"You shall not profit by my coming
I will pour all possess into the hands
of the executioner If he but kills you
slowly enough"
I could laugh at this threat since the
executioners were my friends.
Count Vasca would be king in Yada-
sara. yet with all your beauty he
would not make you queen but for the
fact that he might be afraid to make
an enemy Of an accomplice."
els it not time we were going. Lady
Aldrida? Our horses will be getting
FESTIVE" said one Of her companions.
Besides. the man is prisoner. Why
not leave him in peaceT
you can go If you will. l have no
need of you" she said angrily.
He bowed low to her and left the
dungeon.
Your friends are even now finding
you out" 1 sneered-
She changed her tone.
"You make me angry. Sir Nerrall- L
came on an errand of mercy. 1t may
not yet be too late. have the ear or /
the king. why not ask me to plead TO /
him for your
ct have never yet asked quarter from .
an enemy"
''For Princess Daria. then VIII you ,
not plead for herr"
mot to you"
"Her limbs. like mine. are young. +
perhaps beautiful Being slowly bro
ken upon a rack is sad use TO put them 4
TO-"
1T is possible that Count yasca has
already pleaded for her." I answered
IF she would marry him be would use
his best endeavors. I warrant you. he
is so faithful a friend that he is ca
pablo of pleading for her life and for
your DEATH
Il see cannot help you You per-
sist in making me angry. and angry /
am dangerous"
Woman. you are always dangerous
to those who trust you" said houy.