Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-05-26
,an uhn snrpested it and the

O'Ryan who suggested it and the
priests believed it"
Then ! told them how / came into
Drussenland. beginning with the tale
that poor Mustapha told that night
Tell me the history of Drussenland."
I said
Jasar told it to me. hurrying through
the legendary part, dilating fully on
that which was known to be true. The
Drussenlanders were the descendants
of a great army gathered from all the
nations of the world-so Jasar said
which was led into a country beyond
the hills TO fight for the true religion
Year after year this army, constantly
recruited, fought with varying success,
and at last came peace. Some return
ed home again; some remained in the
land of their warfare, took wives of
the daughters of the land. and wan
dered forth to find a city to dwell in
So they had come to Drussenland, and,
as the years passed. became a great
people. This was the legendary part
which Jasar said might have some
truth in ii.
To me it seemed clear. These peo-
pie were descended from the survivors
of the last crusade.
Ever and again the princess would
lead me to consider my present posi-
ton. No ancient history could help
me in that
1.-The days pass swiftly" she said
"You are almost strong now. The
priests clamor for action. and the Deo-
pie cry with them. What are we TO
dog"
"Jasar suggested a way out Of the
difficulty" ! answered My death
would relieve your highness of much
trouble"
at is no time to talk folly. 1t g
time to act" was all she said to me.
The princess told me that she needed
knights with strong arms and strong
courage. She said the priests were
loyal TO her apart fr - my cause. Aft
er a long conversation / suggested to
her that would attend the next coun-
Gil and tell the members that her en-
emies should be defeated | volun-
teered 10 go to Yadasara as spy. The
princess was apprehensive of such a
scheme. but / soon relieved her fears.
| told her l hoped TO place her on the
throne dnd when she asked me what !
expected as a reward l answered her
In Il language that love dictated. She
understood. Then she asked my name.
When told her it was Clinton Verrall
IT pleased her.
1T is the name OF the man who WOE
ships you" whispered, and took her
hand and. bending low. kissed it pas
sionately. l dared not touch her lips.
Just then Jasar came in and told
the princess that the count was asking
for her. She gave me her hand and
said: BE brave for my sake tomor-
row. For my sake return from Yada-
sara" Then she left me.
The council was Fixed for the after
Roon. 1t was an unusual time. but the
princess had so ordered IL. The moment
l entered the hall ] felt equal 10 any
emergency. Danger hung in the air,
and my courage rose TO meet it
/ mounted the steps and took my
place as near to the princess chair as
possible. 1 endeavored TO hold my own
firmly but courteously. neither max
ing myself too prominent nor seeking
to escape observation. l was not a
a man prepared to hurl defiance in the .
teeth OF a crowd incensed against me. 4
Vasca stood beside the chair and TO
him i bowed Then ! turned TO the
chief OF the priests and bowed to him
lower still
Purposely. think. the princess did
not keep the council waiting. l had
taken my place only a few moments
when the curtains were drawn. and
she stepped TO her seat. She shot one
swift glance at me-so swift that /
doubt II any other noticed It She
bowed proudly as roar OF voices vel
coined her. but she looked pale and
anxious.
1t has ever been our custom IN
DrusSenland to let even a prisoner
speak an answer 70 his accusers." II
was relief to hear her voice break
the silence She spoke softly. yet so
clearly that she must have been heard
wen in the farthest corner. in these
lays. however. II has pleased certain
II our subjects to speak bitterly Of one
yho r. not a prisoner-one who came
o rs and was welcomed by Us as
might long expected in our land The
Judgment that he was what he has
.laimed 10 be rested not with rs. Wis l
iom greater than ours declared his
coming 10 be prop.SIous 10 our state.
md In arms he has borne himself gal
2Etiy. as many . valiant warrior can /