The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-03-30

IEt vi HAD put everything upon inc
l8 hazard Of n die. and. kneeling.
y SssSSs l awaited the result. There
S--h.al-1.l.J was absolute silence-it seem
ed to me for a long time-and l could
feel that the chamber was charged
with an atmosphere of expectancy. At
such moment one takes I'm many
things at n glance. Count Vasca was
furious. ! saw curious smile wrin-
klc the corners OF Jasar's mouth. and.
although l did not understand its
meaning. there was i'm it something
which encouraged me. / was CON
scious that Lady Aldrida stepped back
from me, movement that indeed sug-
gestcd fear nc my rashness.
l saw the princess start, and then
the color dyed her cheeks deeply, but
there was no encouragement in her
face. For one moment 1t 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-
giyingly. her bosom rose and fell in
quick movement. telling of a passion
ate anger which she held in check.
She looked superb, but less n woman
than had ever seen her look. Just
then she would have inspired fear, but
hardly love, I think. Ny sudden ac-
ton seemed 20 have put the key OF the
situation into my hand for the mo-
ment but her dignity and self possess
sion snatched it from me- Then she
spoke clearly, calmly.
"A token must be given TO make It
Of any worth This handkerchief, as
We remember. was merely forgotten
when, as a stranger among us, we
gave you word Of sympathy. Had
we known the use you intended to put
IL 10 we should have sent n servant to
reclaim it. Never has any subject re-
cevcd Il token Of ours. You forget
yourself. Sir Verrall and in future we
shall know how to treat You. 1t were
we'll TO absent yourself from our pres
ence until we have forgotten the in.
suit"
Then, turning 10 one Of her women,
she commanded her to take the hand
kcrchicf. Those about me bowed low
rs the princess passed from the room
followed by her attendants.
Not until the curtains had fallen be-
hind her did | rise from my knee. II
was not homage which kept me there.
wanted n moment TO think. ] be-
lieved myself something of n martyr
for the cause Of humanity. / had
done the wretched prisoners no good,
but | had made the attempt, and since
it had failed | should have more enc
mics In Drussenland than / 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.
AZ the entrance Lady Aldrida stop
ped me.
I'VE attempted the impossible. Sir
Verrall. / warned you that was in
no great favor with her highness."
1--WE have done what we could"
answered. take heed to yourself,
Lady Aldrlda. II Is i'll policy to sym
pathize with a fallen and disgraced
man"
THAT man is N.Y.
as fool, my lady" I interrupted
II am in no mood for talking of it
now"
She dropped me 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, hand was laid upon my Shout
der. and / turned TO face n friend.
knight who had ever taken part with
me against my enemies.
"Sir Verrall, let me come with Won"
II warn you | am poor company to-
night" / answered.
Two swords are better than one
when the night Is dark and the attacl,
sudden and from behind"
why should you fear attack to-
night?'
The town is full OF drunken sol
diers, and fallen man is food for
any assassin's dagger The murderer
may be thanked for getting rid OF so
turbulent subject-or thinks he NAV"
laughed nc his somber forcboding.
but was not Ill pleased TO have his
company. His presence may have pro-
tected me, do not know, but reach
cd my quarters in safety.