Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-04-27
THE |
S IA l
BY Percy
Brel5m@r J


than he. My heart leaped toward you
as Count vasca rolled to earth that
day
~ have had greater affairs to settle
than that. MISTRESS" ard. fool that |
was. | almost blushed to think nov
far truth had retreated from me.
When | seek to prove You it shall
be n hard task then" she whispered.
And then she stood up suddenly.
There Is music In the lower room.
My feet long to dance, since my heart
is light. Will you take me?"
I believe l would have married her
| there and then had she asked. so great
a fool was |.
The Lady Aldrida danced gracefully,
and | do not think | disgraced her as
a partner. did my best to please,
for | was glad to lead her through the
dance.
The dance over. | pledged her in
wine. sealing, as it were, the words !
had spoken. and she blushed a sweet
acceptance of my homage.
Has never Vasca pledged you SOP
I asked.
Il hope not or yours would be a
false pledge, seeing that he seeks my
company no longer"
Truly a fool to forsake such ia
vors."
yet he does so for the favors of a
princess" she said in a low voice.
Tell me. not as you see with a lovers
eyes, but critically-on your honor,
critically-am l not as fair as she?"
NAY, mistress, you judge yourself
but harshly.' l answered promptly.
Perhaps for this reason | began to
hear what others around us were talk
ing of. Until now | had been deaf to
all save Lady Aldrida.
Tomorrow in the market place."
were the first words I caught. They
were uttered by a man seated a little
space from us, spoken to his compan-
len, q and | could well guess
of what he spoke.
Tomorrow she said. rs it not a
cruel law"
Cruel? Yes, but necessity is often
cruel,' her companion answered. TO
let them go would be madness; to
spare them would be to gather enc
mics within our walls. Speak no more
of them. They. are not worth the eXer-
else of your sweet lips"
Pardon me, Sir Knight l said,
turning TO him. rs it of the prison
ers you speak,?
YES. Sir verrall. They die tomor-
row."
prisoners of wal always die on the
morrow" said Lady Aldrida. What
are they to us?"
"It is a %barbarous custom-disgrace-
full to brave n
"Still it is the law"
"Then there should be no such law"
She shrugged her pretty shoulders.
what would you, Sir Verrall?' she
asked. rising with some excitement.
81 would do something for these
same prisoners of ours"
"Tonight?'
Surely, since they die tomorrow"
She looked straight into my eyes.
What she saw there | do not know.
but she put her hand in mine sud
denly.
Il will do what you will"
"Then let us to the princess"
BLAINE me 10 If we fail" she said.
"The princess does not overfavor me
at present"
81 have an argument to make her
attentive to a petition" l answered.
"a dangerous one to use %perchance,
but this is no time to count the cost"
Count Vasca was still with the prin-
cess, and Jasar stood close beside her
chair. AS we approached l saw that
we had come at an inopportune time.
Vasca's brow was clouded. That |
did not fear. But the princess was
evidently angered.
you come too late to give us coun.
sci, Sir Verrall." she said angrily.
think you there is nothing besides
feasting to be done?"
"Your highuess must pardon me, bu.
| thought tonight vas given to feast.
inc. The noisy town bid me think so
and
"Ts it aught to me what the rabblt
of the town do?' she interrupted.
"And here We're dancing and maxim.
merry. Yonr hlehness did not call N.
to counsel"
1T seems, Sir verraIl, that Won pleas'
yourself and come when I do not call
TO ask 4 favor, princess
'tEaxors ere easily aske#,t she ne
iurned iii a tone that showed She wai
prepared 70 refuse me
nc IS q favor. yet NET for myself"
Ter the Lady Aldrida. doubtless
since she comes with YOU you chosf
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