The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-05-01


around me might not be as solid as
they looked, but ! was weary. My
nerves had been at high tension for
hours, and nature asserted herself.
Sunlight filed the room when
awoke, and my first thought was one
of thankfulness that no tragedy was
to be enacted in the square that morn
ing. My next thought was of Organ.
That he had been arrested by Vasca's
orders as an insult to me | had no
doubt, but | could see no way OF
avenging the insult at present.
Bearing the priests warning in
mind. | went out little during the
next three days. / attended to my
duties in the camp and visited the
gpardroom each morning, but did not
linger to gossip with any Of my COM
rades. 1t was on the third day that I
met Count Vasca He approached me
in the most friendly manner. You
have my sympathy regarding the 9th
er night. Sir verrall," he said. Most
Of US know what 1t Is to be Temporal
rily under a cloud. You have heard
doubtless that her highness is waver-
"I hear little since / am banished
from the court" answered.
81 thought Lady Aldrida might have
kept you informed of what was going
forward"
81 have not seen her since that
night, Sir Vasca. Besides, is she not
under as heavy a cloud as ann"
'The selfsame cloud. Sir Verrall. but
It will pass. You were unfortunate
enough to offend her highness some
what, but l have some power with
her, being her kinsman. and will
speak for you and for the lady"
"You are generous. count. but l
would sooner plead my own cause"
"As you will offered as a friend"
That day Organ returned. and. feel
Ing that / owed him some explanation
as to why 1 had not used every en-
deavor to release him. I told him Of my
Punishment
1.-The prisoners may live. but they'll
be the death Of US, Verrall. unless
you're careful. / wasn't brawling the
other night. For the life of me l could
not make out why l was arrested, but
now 1t is all explained. Once you are
thoroughly out Of favor we may as
we'll commit suicide to prevent a worse
end
There is always Yadasara as ref
uge." suggested.
AYE, If we can get there, I ask moth
ing better. But we've got to get there
VerraIl."
That evening the princess sent fol
me. had just concluded that my sus
pense was not to be relieved that da!
when one of the princess guard came
"Her highness' orders, and will yOt
follow me. Sir VerrallT
We crossed the great ball, which
was in darkness, and went along man!
corridors with many turnings, so tina
/ ] should have been quite unable t.
retrace my steps.
Presently we stopped, apparently II
the middle Of q corridor.
"a moment, Sir Verrall. l will in
Quire her highness' pleasure"
He drew back a sliding door in thu
wall, entered a dimly lighted apart
ment and closed the door after him.
Only a minute or two elapsed befor'
the door was opened again. and thu
man beckoned me.
/ entered small anteroom almos
bare of furniture and dimly lighted
but / had no time to take particular
note Of anything, for the guard Inn
mediately drew aside the curtains
which hung over a door at the opposite
end Of the room. and stood in a larg'
nd IN no
princess.
She was half reclining upon a couch
and had she studied the pose she coult
not have chosen one more attractive
| Jasar was seated near her, and the.
were alone, but 1t seemed to me tina
others had been there recently. for tn
rugs on two or three couches In tn
room were askew. as though the occu
pants had risen hastily. / wondere'
who had been with the princess, TO
1t was evident that had been brough
there secretly.
The princess moved slightly TO Ind
| cate that she was aware OF my com
| ing, and, feeling rather insignificant
before this beautiful woman, / ap
preached and fell on my knee befor
| her.
You have angered me extremely
! sir Verrall." she said, land l know
not whether / have acted rightly Ii
sending for you now"
| 81 crave your pardon, your highnesa
and ask for your good Will again"
you have my pardon. My good vii
| you must deserve"
| your >highness has only to com
| mand," ! answered.
| She bid me rise and motioned me {
| be seated. I sat down a little remove'
| from her.
LAS | have forgiven i will no
speak of the other night. In your cour
| try courtesy may find a different e1
! preston from that which 1t has here i
! Drussenland. You are but strange
among us and have therefore. pei
chance. some excuse"
Pardon. your highness, but II ma
claim any excuse let me claim the on
which prompted my hasty action"
And that
"Your highness expressed n doue
of my loyalty. Your words cut so deeT
IL that acted rashlv."