The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-04-07
CHAPTER XVIII.
lEEHE)

Ih lean upon. Doubtless look
apNnvH ed sorry figure, earth stain
tMshtJ ed aud in rags; but. almost
brusquely | fear. pushed his arm
aside. This was no time 10 give way
10 fatigue or despair. IL was the time
10 act and TO act quickly.
"AIy watch is over" said the knight
81 waited only for you. You look
spent. Sir VERBAL. will send for food
and wine"
One of the soldiers left us; the other
led us into the princess apartments.
He Knocked out his torch and remain
ed I'm the anteroom. The knight and
passed into the chamber | knew 80
well.
"Tell me ALL" l entreated.
"You had promised TO go in three
DAYS. and when il was found that you
had departed secretly reaction came
in favor of the priests and of Nasca,
At the street corners men talked
treachery. To Sir Walen and others
whom she trusted the princess told
the reason and the manner OF your
going. 1t was wise to be secret doubt
less. but It gave great occasion TO
your enemies The princess threaten
ed TO treat those who murnured with
the greatest severity No one could
stay her. You were IN danger. she
said. and that was an all sufficient rea-
son for her going.
did vasca persuade her to set out
for Yadasara"
"At first. no."
"Ah! The time was not ripe"
"She liked not his advice" he went
on. IL remember her words, for she
spoke angrily: 1t would not be I'M
pleasant to you, count. If the knight
should never ride into our gates again.
You were ever his enemyp He bore
her resentment well. 1t was a hard
accusation. Early yesterday the forces
moved toward Yadasara. We tried to
prevent her, fearing treachery. Count
Vasca is in command"
"She made her peace with him"
Rather, Sir Verrall. he made his
peace with her Two nights ago a
man of Yadasara brought captive into
the camp declared that you were in
great danger. that ii was known you
were spy and that you were likely
to meet quick reckoning-might even
already have done So"
"A foul plot" | said between my
teeth.
IL marked the princess as he spoke"
he went on. Her face had no color
in II. and the red of her lips turned
gray. A light grew in her eyes that
l had never seen there before nor in
the eyes of any woman, n light as
that along the edge OF a sword drawn
for vengeance-there was no mercy in
il. When she spoke il was another
voice than hers, hard as a mans I'm
passion"
"And Vasca?"
"He applauded her prompt action.
Now that we know the danger TO him
who is risking his life for Drussen-
land what private rivalry there has
been between us is past. is nothing,
is forgotten. With your highness |
cry, "To armsw' The princess gave
him her hand. and the color came
back into her cheek. SO the count
made his peace. All night the town
rang with preparation. Men. aye, and
women. too. shouted jubilantly: TO
arms! On toward Yadasarar The
day dawned leaden gray. with swish
of fine rain, yet CLEAN of sunlight
shone as the princess came from the
palace She rode. warrior in COM
plete steel, and shout rang loud and
high at her coming. warrant the
sight of her turned many u traitor
into loyal subject"
Heaven grant it so! But there is
the foulest treachery afoot. Sir Knight
That captive was no captive, but a
messenger proclalming to the count
that the time was ripe"
1--WE feared treachery, Sir Verrall,
but we were powerless except TO fol-
low the princess. or those who swore
to protect her l alone am here. It
was Jasar who suggested that should
wait for you"
w nv 10 Will you lHdI you can
trustr
"A dozen men. Here are food and
wine; you need them" said the knight.
TEL me how deep is the treachery."
$50 deep that death grips hands
with loyalty. In Yadasara there are
many for the count. In Yadasara Lady
Aldrida attempted my life. Ten days
ago at least | escaped from the city
You may judge what truth there was
In the messenger the count brought to
the princess.
LET me change these rags for armor
and we will CO." | cried. draining the
wine. 1t put new strength in me.
Every man who Yields q loyal
sword is necessary to the princess
now" said. Have your men by the
gates In half an hour"
So at midnight we rode from the
gates. Strange that after running
away from Yadasara | should so ca.
eerly ride toward 1t again.
1t was toward shutdown that we
found the camp. pitched in n place sur
rounded by thick woods, and 1t was
fortunate that our coming happened
upon point where friends were or
we might have been Intentionally mis-
taken for the enemy.
thought 1t well that my presence
In the camp should not be generally
Il