Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-05-19
'1 am in no mood for talking of it

Am IN no "Oou IoE taking OF IL
now"
She dropped me low courtesy, and
1 went quickly through the other
rooms, neither being spoken to nor
speaking to any.
As was leaving the palace, how
ever, a hand was laid upon my shout
der, and turned to face a friend, a
knight who had ever taken part with
me against my enemies.
'Sir Verrall, let me come with you"
81 warn you 1 am poor company to-
night" 1 answered.
1.-TWO swords are better than one
when the night is dark and the attack
sudden and from behind"
why should you fear attack to-
night?"
1.-The town is full Of drunken sol
diers, and a fallen man is food for
any assassin's dagger. The murderer
may be thanked for getting rid of so
turbulent a subject--or thinks he may"
1 laughed at his somber foreboding,
but / was not Ill pleased to have his
company. His presence may have pro-
tected me, 1 do not knows but I reach
ed my quarters in safety.
Organ was not there. / guessed
that the attractions of the town had
proved too much for him tonight, and
I was not sorry to be alone. 1 crossed
the room and looked outiupon the mar
ket place. The sounds of merrymak-
Ing run to riot rose up to me- The
dawn would bring the chanting priests,
the flashing swords andtthe stakes with
their CHASTITY burdens. What could 1
do more to prevent the butchery2
Nothing absoIutely nothing. I had
played my trump card and lost
Not only had 1 not helped the pris-
oners, but I had put my own life in
jeopardy. 1 had no mercy to hope for
from the princess, and could not ex-
pect the priests to raise a finger in
my protection now that L had attempt
ed to wreck one of their dearest laws.
Should go to the priests and, playing
upon their superstition, command them
to save their prisoners? Should /
steal out, mount my horse, ride to
Yadasara and proffer my services to
lead the kings troops to victory against
their enemies? Should I go back to
the palace and attempt to speak again
with the princess? And then, regret
to say, 1 wondered If the lives of these
prisoners were worth the sacrifice I
had made for them, whether 1 should
not have been wiser to take Organs
advice and look after my own skin.
Presently I realized that the town
had grown quieter- Listening for
Organ. I heard something else
stealthy footsteps coming along the
corridor. Under the circumstances 1t
was not strange that I should think
of treachery. drew my sword noise
lesSly and waited There was a quick
knock at my door.
"Who comes at SO late an hour?" 1
said, throwing the door open and ready
TO defend myself.
Welcome You all your friends so,
Sir VerraIl7"
It was Jasar, and he smiled as he
pointed to my drawn sword
81 expected a foe"
~And perhaps with reason" he said
still, I come as a friend and secretly.
Close the door and make II fast and
Let Us speak low Your servant has |
not retu<ned7
No.
And win not tonight he was found !
DAG &A4--3 ~ ~@A- @~@~-~~ - 80 -
rested"
Il thOug11t soldiers wEre privileged !
10 braw1 tonight" said
--SoEne-nOt all"
~T0a ncza that only zy servant Wac !
areEtRd71
He buzad and Eatched me with q
Smile upon his face. even a. he had 4
watched nae AZ pleaded 10 me prza- /
cEL
~By Fasca.s orders, d0abdess%
~DOEEbfleSk"
~Ah, fr = few moments with him /
tn settle cir scare now and for all /
hHlez" sid dmPaf1enfE-
Eha1 cn yO1 eKpecr7 A fallen /
mzn Is ever a steIEdHg sfune which /
others use 40 rise 10 higher faxur"
Fallen, You say II is too rHEh am
azssEfinn- Falling, peEhsaz. blh not /
fallen Whan Sr EaunH .omuTfietafY /
falls hen CITY suma ruin with him"
Brave Wurds-an Idle boast should /
have ssrfd had another uttered them
But Sir TerrHn aas proved himself as 1
gnnd Ks his words Tell me, are al
men rs ynn care in the land -ypu come
fromY
Il am hut a pD8r specimen of my
Epuutuzmens,2 j answered And then