The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-02-19

had spoken, and she blushed sweet acceptance of my homage.
 -''Has never Vasca pledged you sop asked.
 q hope not or yours would be a false pledge, seeing that he seeks my company no longer
 Truly a fool to forsalze such fa- vors.''
 ''Yet he does so for the favors of a princess" she said in a low voice. 'NTeIl me, not as you see with a lovers eyes, but, critically-on your honor, critcally-am I not as fair as she?''
 ''Nay, mistress, you judge yourself but harshly.'' answered promptly.
 Perhaps for this reason I began to hear what others around us were talk ing of. Until now I had been deaf to all save Lady AIdrida
 "Tomorrow in the market place. were the first words I caught. They were2uttered by man seated a little space from us, spoken to his compan- ion, woman, and I could well guess of what he spoke.
 / ''Tomorrowr' she said. ''Is it not a cruel law?''
 'sCruel? Yes, but necessity is often cruel,'' her companion answered. 1"To let them go would be madness; to 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 hps.' Pardon me, Sir Knight" I said, turning. to him "Is it of the prison CTS you speak2''
 "Yes, Sir Verran. They die tomor- row.'
 'Prisoners of war always die on the morrow said Lady Aldrfda. What are they to us?"
 s'It is a barbarous custom-disgrace- ful to brave men,
 ttSti1l 1t is the law.''
 '"Then there should be no such 1aw.''
 She shrugged her pretty shoulders.
 What would you, Sir VerraI1?'' she asked, rising with some excitement.
 '1 would do something for, these same prisoners of ours'
 .fTonight?'
 ''Surely, since they die tomorrow She looked straight into my eyes. What she saw there I do not know, but she put her hand in mine sud denly.
 q will do what you wiIl.'
 <fThen let US to the princess"
 s'BIame me not if we fail,'' she said. ffThe princess does not overfavor me at present"
 'I have an argument to make her attentive to a petition,' I answered tEA 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 I saw that we had come at an inopportune time. 7Io 6n6 T did not fear, But" the princess was evidently angered.
 "You come too late to give US coun- se1. Sir VerraH,'' she said angrly- E'Think you there is nothing besides feasting to be done?
 "Your highness must pardon me, but I thought tonight was given to feast ing. The noisy town bid me think so, and"-
 'Is 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.''
 'tIt seems, Sir Verral1, that you please yourself and come when do not call. 9
 gro ask a favor, princess"
 'Favors are easily asked" she re- turned in a tone that showed she was prepared to refuse me.
 ''It is a favor, yet not for myself"
 ''For the Lady Aldrida, doubtless, since she comes with you You chose a 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 A1drida She would doubtless have been receiv- ed kindly had she brought any request of her own to you. Your highness knows that we have returned from yictorN'
 q have given my thanks to all who helped to win it.'' she answered sharp 1y.
 Most graciously,'' returned. "A vic tory brings suffering with it. I speak not of those who fall fighting, be they friends or foes, but of the prisoners we bring with us. Is it well that be- cause they have been brave they should die like dogs in the market placer"
 I saw that Jasar was looking at me fxedly. I saw a deeper cloud than ever settle over Vasea's face.
 '"This lady would plead with me for