New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-05-10
[coNr1NUED.]

guardrOom each morning, but did not
linger to gossip with any of my com.
rades. 1t was on the third day that !
met Count Vasca. He approached me
in the most friendly manner. "You
have my sympathy regarding the 9th
er night, Sir Verrall," he said. "Most
of us Know what it is to be Temporal
rily under cloud. You have heard
doubtless that her highness is waver-
ing with regard to the prisoners?"
II hear little since I am banished
from the court" answered.
II thought Lady Aldrida might have
kept you informed Of what was going
forward
II have not seen her since that
night, Sir Vasca. Besides, is she not
under as heavy cloud as am?"
1.-THE selfsame cloud, Sir VERBAL, but
it will pass. You were unfortunate
enough to offend her highness some
what, but I have some power with
her, being her kinsman, and will
speak for you and for the lady"
"You are generous, count, but |
would sooner plead my own cause
GAS you will. / offered as friend"
That day Organ returned, and, feel.
ing that owed him some explanation
as to why I had. not used every en-
deavor to release him, told him Of my
Punishment.
t'The prisoners may live, but they'll
be the death of us, Verrall, unless
you're careful wasn't Drawing the
other night. For the life of me could
not make out why I was arrested, but
now it is all explained Once you are
thoroughly out of favor we may as
well commit suicide to prevent a worse
end
'There is always Yadasara as ref
uge," I suggested.
"Aye,, if we can get there, ask moth
ing better But we've got to get there,
Verrall."
That evening the princess sent for
mes had just concluded that my sus-
pense was not to be relieved that day
when one of the princess guard came
! "Her highness' orders, and will you
p follow me, Sir Verrall?'
We crossed the great hall, which
corridors with many turnings, SO that
I should have been quite unable to
retrace my steps.
Presently we stopped apparently in
the middle of a corridor.
"a moment, Sir VERBAL. I will i'll
quire her highness' pleasure
He drew back a sliding door in the
ipht
ment and closed the door after him.
Only minute or two elapsed before
the door was opened again. and the
man beckoned me.
/ entered small anteroom almost
bare of furniture and dimly lighted
but had no time to take particular
note of anything, for the guard 1n'-
mediately drew aside the curtains
which hung over door at the opposite
end of the room, and I stood in large
apartment and in the presence OF the
princess.
She was half reclining upon a couch,
and had she studied the pose she could
not have chosen one more attractive.
Jasar was seated near her, and they
were alone. but it seemed to me that
others had been there recently, for the
rugs on two or three couches in the
r. ypm were askew, as though the occu-
pants had risen hastily. I wondered
who had been with the princess, for
# was evident that had been brought
there secretly.
The princess moved slightly TO lndl-
cate that she was aware of my COM
ing. and, feeling rather insignificant
before this beautiful woman, ap-
preached and fell on my knee before
her. -
"You have angered me extremely,
Sir Verrall," she said, "and I know
not whether 1 have acted rightly in
sending for you now"
Il crave your pardon, your highness,
and ask for your good will again.
"You have my pardon. My good VIII
you must deserve"
"Your highness has only to COM
mand," I answered.
She bid me rise and motioned me to
be seated. sat down little removed
from her.
GAS I have forgiven 1 will not
speak of the other night In your coun-
try courtesy may find different ex-
preston from that which it has here in
ussenland. You are but stranger
among us and have therefore, per-
chance some excuse"
pardon, your highness, but II may
claim any excuse let me claim the cns /
which prompted my hasty action"
'And that?'
''Your hfghness expressed a doubt
Of my loyalty. Your words cut so deep
" that acted rashly." 1
"You acted rashly indeed, but that Is
forgiven. We will speak no more of it.
The prisoners you pleaded for have not
vet been put to death. Thus far you
have persuaded me, yet l know not
how to act. As princess, as the right
ful sovereign Of Drussenland, I can