The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-03-30

ket place. The sounds OF merrymak-
Ing run TO riot rose up TO me. The
dawn would bring the chanting priests,
the flashing swords and the stakes with
their CHASTITY burdens. What could
do more TO prevent the butchery?
Nothing absolutely nothing. had
played my trump card and lost.
Not only had | not helped the pris-
oners, but l had put my own life in
jeopardy. l had no mercy TO hope for
from the princess, and / could not eX-
pect the priests to raise "A finger In
my protection now that had attempt
ed 10 wreck one of their dearest lNws.
Should | go TO the priests and plating
upon their superstition, command trem
to save their prisoners? Should l
steal out, mount my horse, ride TO
Yadasara and proffer my services TO
lead the kings troops TO victory against
their enemies? Should | go back 10
the palace and attempt TO speak agail
with the princess? And then, regret
20 say, / wondered If the lives of these
prisoners were worth the sacrifice :
had made for them, whether | should
not have been wiser 20 take Organ
advice and look after my own skin.
Presently / realized that the town
had grown quieter. Listening foT
ORyan. / heard something else
stealthy footsteps coming along tho
corridor Under the circumstances II
was not strange that / should think
Of treachery. l drew my sword noise
lessly and waited. There was a quick
knock at my door.
"Who comes at so late an hour?" =
said, throwing the door open and ready
10 defend myself.
V"Welcomc you all your friends so,
Sir Yerrall?"
1t was Jasar, and he smiled as he
pointed to my drawn sword.
81 expected n foe"
"And perhaps with reason" he said.
"Still, l come as n friend and secretly.
Close the door and make It fast and
let us speak low. Your servant has
not returnedY
"No"
"And will not tonight. He was found
brawllng in the streets and was ar
rested"
81 thought soldiers were privileged
TO brawl tonight" | said.
"Some-nOt ALL"
"You mean that only my servant was
arrested?"
He bowed and watched me with a
smile upon his face, even as he had
w'tc'lcl RE as / pleaded TO the prin-
cess.
by Vasca's orders, doubtless"
Doubtless"
"Ah, for a few moments with him
to settle our score now and for all
time!" / said impatiently.
"What can you expect2 A fallen
man is ever stepping stone which
others use to rise to higher favor"
"Fallen, you sayl 1t Is too rash an
assertion. Falling, perhaps, but not
fallen. When Sir Verrall completely
falls he'll carry some ruin with him.
Brave wOrds-an idle boast / should
have said had another uttered them.
But Sir Verrall has proved himself as
good as his words. Tel me. are all
men as you are in the land you come
FROM
81 am but n poor specimen of my
countrymen." l answered. And then
l stopped, remembering how 1 had
come 10 Drussenland as the long ex-
pected knight.
I'VE must talk of that another time"
he answered, with Il smile. "Now we
have other matters i'm hand. You are
right. Sir Verrall. You have not fallen
yet, but there are those who think
you have"
"You mean began.
"NIark you, Sir Verrall, you were
unwise tonight"
''To plead for those wretched pris-
oners?"
mo. For that l honor you. 1t was
the action of a true knight. The law
is disgrace. / quarrel not with
your pleading, but with the manner of
It,"
at was the only way"
There you are I'm error" he an
swered. First you should have come
alone. To associate Lady Adrida
with the request was TO court failure.
Then you should not have asked for
an immediate answer. Her highness
cannot make and break laws at her
pleasure. Your importantly made her
resist YOU"
made her doubt my loyalty" l said
bitterly. Had a man so accused me
I would have cut out his lying
tongue"
You gave the challenge, Sir Yer
rail-, and since none dared to answer
it You had the advantage. But you
did not use il. You turned to sneer
Mt the princess. Think you any wom-
an can bear thatT
MY knowledge of women is limit
ed"
True, / have found Il so. You
should learn TO read women, Sir YER
rail-, and then you would know how to
use your advantage. The princess,
after all, is woman"
/ looked at him, trying to discover
deep meaning I'm his words. but Jasar's
face was not easy to read.
81 used the weapons to my hand" 1
said.