The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-10-27

It, Better to die quickly than slowly
in the fortress yonder If l dared do
it would plunge my dagger into you
now, and l should be doing you kind
ness"
"You think so, friend, but l had
rather live. l have been in worse
straits than this. l may live to 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" l
answered.
''You are brave man, but foolv'
he said.
With help walked across the pal
ace yard between ranks of warriors
and then was face to face with the
king.
$50 you come again to Yadasara," he
said, a smile upon his lips.
did not answer. My eyes were fixed
on Daria, who stood a few yards from
me, guarded by soldiers.
"And you bring welcome compan-
ion this time. We thank you. You
made many enemies by your escape,
but it has served US better than If 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
poor recompense to see such a man
die like a woman"
'Your highness shall not see that"
/ said.
eve have heard many a strong man
boast as much" he answered. 1--WE
have good arguments against the
boast. To the fortress with him, but
treat him gently. He shall have
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"
I 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.
The guard of the fortress received
us, and with considerable amount of
formality l was handed over to my
new jailers. hardly noticed them,
for my eyes were fixed upon figure
sitting in a 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 | had a friend in the for
| tress.
"O'Ryan!" I cried, tone of joy in
my voice doubtless.
He looked at me, but did not move.
There was an exasperating chuckle
at my ear, and l 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.
| 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 in 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
not uncomfortable bed in one corner.
Costa sat down on a stool and re-
NAMED 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
we'll lodged"
"As an animal fattening for fair"
| answered
| He laughed
"That is a good description"
my position amuses your
mot yours so much as the wom-
ans"
"Do you mean the princessT
Call her SO If you WILL" he an
swered. Carrying herself like a
oueen-in armor, too; nothing of the
miserable prisoner about her. All. 1t
amuses me greatly"
rs she lodged in the fortressT" |
asked as unconcernedly as possible.
'Yes. my friend. AS chief of the
fortress | have the honor to entertain
you both. She is now clothed as
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 a warning" be
! answered. See what the love of