The Ocala evening star., 1911-05-26

AYE and stretch our limbs instead
of yours" he laughed. My willing
ness TO help you does not extend to
that"
"A quick jerk should suffice" said
Costa
Feel that muscle, captain" was the
answer
Costa put his hand under my shoul-
der and whistled.
"It is harder than the kings" said
the executiOner
Il know that" Costa answered, re
membering my trial of strength with
his majesty, but that sweet machine
Of yours should be equal to it,
You think 1t has had practice
enough, eh, captainY'
"I warrant it can be turned to crack
even the knights muscles, mighty as
they are,'' said one of the others. 1T
can be gentle and powerful too. Do
you remember when 1t embraced a
man and a woman on the same day"
That experiment is likely to be re-
peated," said the chief executioner.
1.-THE princessr' l exclaimed.
They say So"
why trouble Sir Verrall with that?'
said Costa, evidently angry that 1 had
been told.
"It is of little consequence" an
swered the man, with a rough laugh.
I'm death q man can only take care Of
himself I will treat the lady quickly,
too, If the knight wills it."
With an effort l was calm.
This is indeed being a comrade."
said, holding out my hand. II have a
weakness in my nature-a foolish one,
perhaps, but don't like women to suf-
fer
"It requires strength to suffer much.
Women don't suffer as men do" he re-
turned, with brutal certainty. And
If they do what matter7 They are
only women"
dared not express my horror.
'But in this case you will bring
death quickly?' said
You may rely on u.s."
THAT is satisfactory" said Costa,
rising.
1 had almost forgotten Organ.
remembered him then.
'That man has heard our bargain"
I said.
''He will not betray it."
"Do you swear not to do so?" said,
turning to the Irishman.
Il am not less merciful than the
executioners," he grOwled.
l shook each villain by the hand as
he left me and asked Costa to distrib-
ute among them what few posses
sionS l had. l shook hands even with
O'Ryan, and then 1 was left alone.
Did Organ grasp my hand more
firmly than was necessary? / might
have spent the night wondering, but
when they had gone l broke down for
the first time during my Imprisonment.
l shed tears of impotent rage, pacing
my cell frantically. cursing and beat
ing its stone walls like q madman. 1t
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 1 be-
neved it would be, should be witnessed
by such loathsome wretches as the
men who had just left me and per
haps only by them. Only when was
thoroughly exhausted did 1 throw my
self on my rugs and fall asleep to
dream-what mockery it was!-of
pleasant fields and sunshine.
awoke refreshed. Perhaps the very
dreams / have rallied at gave my sleep
its power to refresh me. My first
thought was Of Daria, my second Of
hn
last night with some meaning? Surely
1t was impossible, seeing how he had
helped to ruin me, but man in dire
necessity sees hope in anything.
It was not until the afternoon that |
had any visitors that day. 1 had be-
gun to hope that l was going to be
left alone altogether when Costa came
in and bound me, as usual.
More fools with too much leisure .
! said wearily.
IAN old friend this time" said a
merry voice in answer. and Lady Al
drida entered. followed by two or three
men. 1t was easy TO see that they
were her captiyes as surely as ] 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 thisT' asked another OF her cava-
liers.
II am not so unmerciful. Sir Eerrall
and l are old friends, or enemies
Enemies" 1 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. I warrant you, when a
slow turn of the lever draws that body
Of yours into agony. For all your
they be, will hardly drown your cries,
and If you have sense left to hear any
thing you shall hear my laugh
Il shall be glad of a spectator
answered 1T gives a man courage"
You shall not profit by my coming.
1 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