Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-05-18

I o fatigue or despair. 1t wal the tim
to act and to act quickly.
my watch is over" said the knight
81 waited only for you. You look
spent. Sir verrall. l will send for food
and wine."
One of the soldiers left u.s.: the other
led us into the princess apartments.
He knocked out his torch and remain
ed in the anteroom. The knight and
l passed into the chamber I knew 9 o
well.
Tell me ALL" I entreated.
"YOu had promised to 60 in three
days, and when 1t was found that you
had departed secretly reaction cam
In favor Of the priests and of Vasca.
At the street corners men talked
t~reachery. To Sir Walen and others
whom she trusted the princess told
the reason and the n Of your
going. It was wise to be secret doubt
less. but 1t gave great occasion to
| your enemies. The princess threaten
ID t treat those who murmured with
the greatest severity. No n could
stay her. You were in danger. she
said. and that was an all sufficient rea-
son for her going.
Ibid vasca persuade her to set out
for Yadasarar'
AT first. no."
"Ah! The time was not ripe"
"She liked not bis advice he went
on. II remember her words. for she
spoke angrily: 1t would not be un-
pleasant to you. count. II the knight
should never ride into our gates again.
You were rel his enemy!' He bore
her resentment well. 1t was a hard
accusation. Early yesterday the forces
moved toward Yadasara. We tried to
prevent her. fearing treachery. Count
Vasca Is in command"
''She made her peace with himr'
Rather. Sir Verrall. he made his
peace with her. Two nights ago a
man Of Yadasara brought captive into
the camp declared that you were In
great danger. that 1t was known you
were a spy and that you were likely
to meet q quick reckoning-might eve
already have done 30"
"A foul plot" / said between my
teeth.
II marked the princess az he spoke"
he went on. Her face had no color
in 1t. and the red Of her lips turned
gray. A light grew In her eyes that
l had never seen there before nor In
the eyes of any woman. a light AZ
that along the edge Of a sword da wn
for vengeance-there was no mercy In
it. When she spoke 1t was another
voice than hers. hard al a mans in
passion"
"And vasca7"
"He applauded her prompt action.
Now that we know the danger to him
who Is risking his life for Drussen.
land what private rivalry there has
been between US is past, IL nothing.
Is forgotten. With your highness |
cry. ITO armsr' The princess gave
him her hand. and the color came
back into her cheek. So the count
made his peace. All night the town
rang with preparation. Men. aye. and
women. too. shouted j%ubilantly: TO
arms! On toward Yadasarar The
day dawned leaden gray. with q swish
Of fine rain, yet a CLEAN Of sunlight
shone as the princess came from the
palace. She rode. a warrior In CON-
plete steel. and a shout rang loud and
high at her coming. warrant the
sight Of her turned many a traitor
into a loyal subject"
Heaven grant II so! But there Is
the foulest treachery afoot. Sir Knight.
That captive was no captive. but a
messenger proclaiming to the count
that the time was ripe"
I'VE feared treachery. Sir verrall.
but we were powerless except to fol-
low the princess. OF those who swore
to protect her ! alone am here. II
was Jasar who suggested that l should
wait for you"
"who Is with you that You can
trustr'
"A dozen men. Here are food and
wine: you need them" said the knight.
Tell me how deep II the t~reachery."
80 deep that death grips hands
with loyalty. In Yadasara there are
many for the count In Yadasara Lady
Aldrida attempted my life. Ten days
ago at least I escaped from the city.
You may judge what truth there was
in the messenger the count brought to
the princess.
LET me change these rags for armor
and we will CO." l cried. draining the
| wine. 1t put new strength In me.
EVERY man who wieids q loyal
sword u necessary to the princess
now" I said. Have your men By the
gates In half an hour"
So at midnight we rode from the
gates Strange that after running
away from Yadasara l should 20 ca
gerly ride toward 1t again.
II wan fn~neA ~npAnrvn eAoH -
found the camp. pitched in a place sur
rounded BY thick woods. and It was
fortunate that u coming happened
upon q point where friends were or
we might have been Intentionally mis-