The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-02-21
% THE
| SQIlW(G r
A Romance
OF Dru1ss@mDaIndl
Contiz1ued1

AAO Sc14SdA0 C1CUO, SlI fOAGdA4S b0&
It will pass You were unfortunate
enough to offend her highness some
what, but I have some power with
her, being her kinsfnan, and will
speak for you and for the lady"
'TYou are generous, count, but I
would sooner plead my own cause"
GAS you Will I offered as friend
That day Organ returned, and, feel
ing that owed him some explanation
as to why had not used every en-
deavor to release him, told him Of my
bantshnaent.
''The prisoners may live, but they'll
be the death of US, VERBAL, unless
you're careful. I wasn't braw1ing the
other night For the life OF me could
not make out why was arrested, but
now 1t is all explained. Once you are
thoroughly out Of favor we may as
well commit suicide to prevent worse
end
There is always Yadasara as ref
uge," suggested
AYE, If we can get there, ask moth
ing better. But we've got to get there,
VerraIl.''
That evening the princess sent for
me. I had just concluded that my sus-
pense was not to be relieved that day
when one of the princess guard came.
follow me, STR VerranT'
We crossed the great hall, which
was in darkness, and went along many
corridors with many turnings, so that
I should have been quite unable to
retrace my steps.
Presently we stopped, apparently in
the middle Of a corridor.
ga moment, Sir, VERBAL. I will in
Quire her highness' pleasure
He drew back a sliding door in the
wall, entered a dtmly lighted apart
ment and closed the door after him.
Only a minute or two elapsed before
the door was opened again, and the
man beckoned me.
I entered a small anterOom almost
bare OF furniture and dimly lighted,
but I had no time TO take particular
note of anything, for the guard i'm
medtataly drew aside the curtains
which hung over door at the opposite
end Of the room, and stood In a large
APARTMENT and In the presence Of the
princess.
She was half reclining upon couch.
and had she studied the pose she could
not have chosen one more attractive.
Jasar was seated near her, and they
were alone, but it seemed to me that
others had been there recently, for the
rugs on two or three couches in the
room were askew, as though the occu-
pants had risen hastily. L wondered
who had been with the princess, for
it was evident that had been brought
there secretly.
The princess moved slightly to indi-
cate that she was aware OF my COM
ing, and, feeling rather insignificant
before this beautiful woman, I ap-
preached and fell ON my knee before
her.
'eYou have angered me extremely,
Sir Verrall'' she said, ~'and I know
not whether I have acted rightly in
sending for you now"
IT crave your pardon, your highness,
and ask for your good will again."
"You have my pardon. My good will
you must deserve"
s<Your highness has only to com
mand,'' answered.
She bid me rise and moHoned me to
be seated. I sat down little removed
from her
LAS I have forgiven I will not
speak of the other night. In your coun-
try courtesy may find different ex-
preston from that which it has here in
Drussenland. You are but stranger
among us and have therefore, per
chance, some excuse"
Pardon, your highness, but if may
| claim any excuse let me claim the one
which prompted my hasty action"
t'And that?'
''Your highness expressed a doubt
of my loyalty. Your words cut SO doep-
lsly that I acted rashiy."
You acted rashly indeed, but that is
forgiven. We will speak no more of It.
The prisoners you pleaded for have not
| @1a% 70 for,
have persuaded me, yet 1 know not
how to act. As princess, as the right
| full sovereign of Drussenland, I can
only administer the law; as a woman
I can hate the law, and this, which de-
mands the sacrifice of prisoners, is
most hateful, cruel and unjust. 1t
wanted no stranger knight to tell me
| this.''
Il have made my petition; I will
urge you no more" answered.
'Regrettfng that you have urged so
much ?'' she asked
may, your highness, but have used
all my weapons. 1 can now only bow
TO your decision
''1t had been better had you reserved
your last weapon until now, Sir Yer
rail-. AS woman it might have had
power to move me; it was powerless
TO move the princess have sent for
you secretly tonight. My women had
retired before you came, and only
Jasar and the guard have knowledge
of your coming. You will not speak
of it, either. Have you thought of the
consequences to yourself if save the
lives of these prisoners 2"
"1 have, but I am not afraid
'<The priests clamor for the sacri-
| fee. The people c1amor for it. You
| have had many enemies, Sir Yer
rail-, since first you came to Drussen-
land, but with the priests against you,
and with the priests a great mass of
the people, how think you you can
stand? For my councillor in this mat
| ter there viii be no mercy
t est have n religion fOO voJIr high