New Ulm review., 1911-07-05
Il they do what matter, They ar.

1 8.
death quickly r said.
"You may rely on u.s."
s4That is satisfactory" said Costa
rising.
! I had almost forgotten Organ. l
remembered him then
'"That man has heard our bargain" !"
] said.
"He will not betray it." Il
"Do you swear not to do sor' said,
turning to the Irishman.
II am not less merciful than the
executioners," he growled.
I shook each villain by the hand as
he left me and asked Costa to distrib
ute among them what few posses
sions had. shook hands even with
Organ, and then was left alone.
Did Organ grasp my hand more
firmly than was necessary I might
have spent the night wondering, but
when they had gone l broke down for
the first time during my Imprisonment.
shed tears of impotent rage, pacing
my cell frantically. cursing and beat
ing its stone walls like madman. It
was horrible to know that Daria would
be laid on that hideous couch to have
her fair limbs broken; that her death.
heroic though 1t might be, as ! be-
Ueved It would be, should be witnessed
by such loathsome wretches as the
men who had just left me and per-
haps only by them. Only when was
thoroughly exhausted did throw my.
self on my rugs and fall asleep to
dream-what mockery It was!-of
pleasant fields and sunshine.
awoke refreshed Perhaps the very
dreams have rallied at gave my sleep
its power to refresh me. My first
thought was of Daria. my second of
Organ. Had he pressed my hand
last night with some meaning? Surely
it was impossible. seeing how he had
helped to ruin me, but man in dire
necessity sees hope in anything.
It was not until the afternoon that !
had any visitors that day. I had be-
gun to hope that l was going to be
left alone altogether when Costa came
in and bound me, as usual.
more fools with too much leisure" {"
I said wearily.
IAN old friend this time," said a
merry voice in answer, and Lady Al
drida entered. followed by two or three
men. It was easy to see that they
were her captives as surely as was
a prisoner in the fortress.
'aThis was an old lover Of mine
gentlemen" she said gayly. HE was
foolish enough not to value my friend.
ship. Behold the result"
She was pretty picture, much as
hated her; could not deny that She
had evidently ridden to the fortress.
for she carried her whip In her hand.
"Do all men who displease you come
to this?'' asked another Of her cava.
liers.
s'I am not so unmercifuL Sir Verrall
and are old friends, or enemies
which is it," and she turned to me.
"Enemies," answered shortly.
"True, and you are In my power"
'eThat does not trouble me-"
"You have yet to learn the terrors
this fortress holds. You shall have
one spectator, warrant you. when
slow turn of the lever draws that body
of yours into agony. For all your
boasting, these walls. solid though
they be, will hardly drown your cries.
and If you have sense left to hear any.
thing you shall hear my laugh"
II shall be glad Of spectator" /
answered 1T gives man courage"
"You shall not profit by my coming
will pour all possess into the hands
of the executioner If he but kills you
slowly enough"
could laugh at this threat since the
executioners were my friends.
"Count Vasca would be king In Yada-
sara, yet with all your beauty he
would not make you queen but for the
fact that he might be afraid to make
an enemy of an accomplice."
SIS it not time we were going. Lady
Aldrida? Our horses will be getting
restive," said one Of her companions.
Besides, the man is a prisoner. Why
not leave him in peace?"
"You can go If you will. have no
need of you," she said angrily.
He bowed low to her and left the
dungeon.
"Your friends are even now finding
you out" sneered.
She changed her tone.
"You make me angry. Sir Verrall. !
came on an errand of mercy. It may
not yet be too late. have the ear of
the king. Why not ask me to plead to
him for your
"T have never yet asked quarter from
an enemy"
"For Princess Daria, then. Will you
not plead for herr"
''Not to you"
"Her limbs, like mine, are young.
perhaps beautiful. Being slowly bro
ken upon a rack is sad use to put them
to-
1T is possible that Count vasca has
already pleaded for her," I answered
IF she would marry him he would use
-. a>aoI o-Soo ~rorronf vOn Ho