The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-05-20

more interest than you" he said
| That is poor consolation
! i think | would be & great traitor
rather than nothing" he answered.
Il am not even a great traitor"
said.
| Il would not say so If were you. L
! Is easier TO confess and have done witt
It Better TO die quickly than SLOWLY
| In the fortress yonder. If / dared Dc
1t would plunge my dagger into you
now, and should be doing you q kind
ness
You think so, friend, but | had
| rather live. / have been in worse
straits than this / may live 10 be in
worse again"
You will. and then you may find
death too long in coming"
Death and / seem to be old friends
we have walked so long together" i
answered
You are brave man. but a fool"'
he said.
With help l walked across the pal
ace yard between ranks OF warriors
and then was face to face with the
king.
so You come again to Yadasara," he
said, smile upon his lips.
did not answer. My eyes were fixed
on Daria, who stood few yards from
me, guarded by soldiers.
and you bring a welcome compan-
lon this time We thank you. You
made many enemies by your escape.
but 1t has served US better than IL you
had failed There's little strength In
you now. We must see that that Is
restored little before we punish you
for your treachery. 1t would be a
die like a woman"
Your highness shall not see that"
said.
I'VE have heard many a strong man
boast as much" he answered. I'VE
have good arguments against the
boast. To the fortress with him, but
treat him gently. He shall have a
chance of proving his boast You,
madame, too. are weak, for all you
stand so bravely. You shall have rest
and gentle treatment for awhile. Then
we shall find means to pay you for the
lives Of our subjects which your re-
bellion has caused. To the fortress
with them both"
/ was placed in the litter again and
carried up to- the fortress. They were
very gentle with me. and, knowing
what was In store for me, some of
them may have pitied me-
Tho nP ha fnr+roz. xooaf-oa
US, and with a considerable amount OF
formality l was handed over to my
new jailers. / hardly noticed them.
for my eyes were fixed upon a figure
sitting in porch within the gateway
The man sat Imply, looked as though
he were in pain. and / saw that his
arm was in rough sling. Hope was
not dead l had a friend In the for
tress.
"O'Ryanw 1 cried. a tone of Joy in
my voice doubtless.
He looked at me, but did not move.
There was an exasperating chuckle
at my ear, and ! turned to face the
Spaniard, Costa.
He was fatter and greasier than ever,
and he was tricked out In bright ar
NOR.
you'll find that friendship dead" he
said.
l glanced at Organ. He had risen
from his seat and looked so different
from what / had known him that |
concluded that the wound | had given
him I'm that desperate fight upon the
stairs must have been deeper than !
had thought
81 will come and make you comfort
able presently when | have attended
to your princess" Costa said. Truly
this fortress IS honored now
He laughed as the heavy door closed
upon me. Presently he returned, fol
lowed by two men carrying rugs, with
which they proceeded to make me a
not uncomfortable bed In one corner.
Costa sat down on a stool and re
manned silent until he dismissed them.
You have a good couch" he said
directly we were alone. You will
have good food and drink. You are
well lodged"
"As an animal fattening for fair"
I answered.
He laughed
THAT Is n good description"
MY position amuses your
Not yours so much as the WON
ans"
do you mean the princess:'
Call her SO If you WILL" he an
swerea- Carrying herself like a
queen--in armor, too: nothing of the
miserable prisoner about her. All. 1t
amuses me greatly"
us she lodged In the fortress?" |
asked as unconcernedly as possible.
Yes. my friend. AS chief Of the
fortress | have the honor 10 entertain
you both. She is now clothed rs q
woman. and as a woman All, she IS
better, much better. She has beauty
enough to make fools OF some men"
Take care you are not one Of them"
I said.
You are too good n warning" be
answered See what the love of
woman has brought you to-"
Love" | laughed. rs that laid 10
my charge tooT'
do you say you are not In love with
this woman who calls herself a prin-
cess? Count Vasca spoke differently"
Am l TO be judged by what Count
Vasca says Of meT'
There are other matters, many other
matters. that / need not tell you Of"
"And the punishment"