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


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. us 1t of the prison
ers you speakF'
Yes, Sir VERBAL. They die tomor-
row."
Prisoners Of war always die on the
morrow" said Lady Aldrida. What
are they to us?"
at is a barbarous Acknowledgment
full to brave men"
"Still it is the law"
"Then there should be no such law"
She shrugged her pretty shoulders.
"What would you. Sir Verrallg' 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 l do not know,
but she put her hand in mine sud
denly.
81 win do what you will
''Then let us to the princess"
BLAINE me not if we fail" she said.
1.-THE princess does not overfavor me
at present"
Il have an argument to make her
attentive to 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 doneY
"Your highness must pardon me, but
thought tonight was given to feast
ing. The noisy town bid me think So
and
us it aught to me what the rabble
of the town do?' she interrupted.
''And here were dancing and making
merry Your highness did not call me
to counsel"
at seems, Sir verrall, that you please
yourself and come when do not call"
"To ask a favor, princess"
'Favors are easily asked" she re-
| turned in a tone that showed she was
prepared to refuse me.
at is favor, yet not for myself"
"For the Lady Aldrida doubtless,
since she comes with you. You chose
fitting knight to do your wishes,
madame, yet not one who cannot be
refused"
/ She spoke in a sneering fashion,
which made me lose some of the calm
ness had intended using. The cloud
on Vasca's brow lifted too He was
pleased that the princess received me
so ungraciously.
! "The favor is not for Lady Aldrida.
! She would doubtless have been receiv-
ed kindly had she brought any request
If her own to you Your highness
knows that we have returned from
victory"
! 81 have given my thanks TO all who
| helped to win it." she answered sharp
| ~.
Most graciously," returned. "A vic
tory brings suffering with it. speak
/ not Of those who fall fighting, be they
friends or foes. but of the prisoners
we bring with us. Is ii well that be
cause they have been brave they
should die like dogs in the market
placer
/ saw that Jasar was looking at me
! fxedly. I saw deeper cloud than
ever settle over Vasca's face.
This lady would plead with me for
/ their pardon. Is it not right that wom-
en-, with their gentler nature should
teach US men, brought up in ruder
manners, something of their gentle
nessF
Il do plead with Sir Verrall,'' said
Lady Aldrida
This mood is a strange one TO catch
you in, my lady," said Vasca.
THAT Lady Aldrida pleads has no
weight with me-" said the princess
sternly Think you, Sir Nerrall, it