The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-07-21


vERRALL."
you secretly tonight My women had
retired before you came, and only
Jasar and the guard have knowledge
of your coming. You will not speak
of it, either. Have you thought of the
consequences to yourself if save the
lives of these prisonersT
81 have, but 1 am not afraid"
1.-THE priests clamor for the sacri
fee. The people clamor for it. You
have had many enemies, Sir Yer
rail-, since first you came to Drussen
land, but with the priests against you,
and with the priests a great mass of
stand? For my councillor in this mat
ter there will be no mercy"
81 have a religion, too, your high
ness, and mercy is its very keystone
| were indeed false to my religion
were | not to stand up for the lives of
these prisoners, and, as for the danger
to myself, it counts for nothing. Be-
sides, these same priests have accepted
me as the expected knight. That
should make my person sacred to
them
Even the expected knight will not
be allowed to break the laws of Drus-
senland with impunity," she said
But for their own sakes they can
not deny me now. 1t would rob the
people of their belief in the priests"
"They will not deny you. but they
will seek for means to correct their
mistake without confusion to them
selves"
"Your highness, 1t would seem, has
little faith in the priests" l said
gravely
"Sir Verrall, l have a spirit within
me which cries out for something
more than legend-why l know not,
except it be from the teaching of
Jasar, who is called unorthodox and
would be in sorry plight among his
brethren had he not my protection"
Your highness speaks truly" said
Jasar.
May l not claim the. same protec-
tion?' | asked.
II am almost powerless to protect
you. | know not how long ! may have
any power at ALL There are those who
love not a woman to rule. and that
she breaks the laws may be an occa-
sion to rise against her. 1t would be
good to lay aside the golden circle that
stamps me sovereign and be as other
women-always woman and never
princess.
Uh IN.
ness" said Jasar. "You were born to
rule. and your duty lies in ruling"
"Ah. let me forget that | am more
than a woman if it pleases me-" she
said petulantly, and then she became
calm again. yours was a strange
coming among u.s."
at was indeed strange" | answered.
''There is a reason in legend" she
went on in dreamy manner. Leg
end is the surface meaning perhaps
of the deeper truths which lie be-
meath. When the priests. speaking by
their legends proclaimed you the ex'
pected knight, the savior of this
country of ours, they may have pro-
claimed truth greater than they I'M
| derstood."
81 have thought that, your high
ness" | answered.
Tomorrow, Sir Verrall, | will com
mand that the prisoners be released,
| let whatever danger come. Tomorrow
| win send for you, and see that you
| forget not to crave my pardon public
". even as publicly you angered me
Tonight has satisfied the woman; to-
morrow satisfy the princess"
fell upon my knee.
"You say you are almost powerless
to protect me, but | am not powerless
to protect YOU. In your danger claim
me: | have life to give. It is yours
when you claim It,"
"Loyal believe you" she answered.
Gas your princess I trust you. Yet
| do not forget her who has greater
claim Love shoots at queer marks
sometimes You are forgiven. and ]