The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-02-12

Copyright, 1907. by r. F. Fenno & Co.
straight across, halted for moment
before gates which opened into a great
hall. At each end of the building was
a huge round window, but the lighting
was insufficient, and the place was
gloomy. The floor was OF stone dags,
worn a good deal, and indeed the
whole edifice looked old know little
Of architecture, but although the style
was common in Drussenland / have
seen nothing like it elsewhere. Seated
in the center of the hall on platform
was q woman surrounded by knights
who were clad In steel-a goodly sight
to look upon, If strange to such eyes
as mine. just below the platform ON
either side stood a dozen men in loose
garments reaching from shoulder to
heel, tied at the waist with white
sash, the ends of which fell to the
ground. Each wore a white skullcap.
They were all elderly men, and their
hair and boards had been allowed to
grow at viii.
To say that the princess was the
most beautiful woman my eyes had
ever rested upon is hardly to describe
her. The whole OF Princess Daria's
world allowed that she was the most
beautiful OF women, and the women
of DrussenIand are beautiful Her
warriors, from the highest knight to
the humbIest soldier, woxshiped her
and had sworn obedience 70 him who
should win her for himself. My first
impression was that she was fit to rule
those who bowed before her. She
looked queenly and their mistress.
Seated In her chair Of state, as first
saw her, she looked q princesss she
looked what she was. the idol of her
people. and she looked more, q woman
man could love.
Every eye was turned toward me
as advanced up the hail. Certainly
never before had been such center
of attraction. 1 saw Organ standing
at the foot of the platform between
two soldiers, but as approached he
e1uded their vigilance and, rushing
toward me, fell on his knee and kiss
ed nay hand, whispering as he did SO:
admit everything. It's our only
chance
Evidently had to play a part Of
some sort. There was silence for some
moments as stood at the foot of the
platform The princess leaned forward
In her seat to study me closely, and I
tried to look unconscious of the sensa-
tion caused.
He In the white robe and the silver
girdIe was the first to speak.
&tIs it true what this man has told
concerning your he said, pointing to
Organ.
Sometimes men lie. What has he
Fold concerning meP' said
r tS17dd11aIv xuf1f1a he fcf In
the night, you came from the noun
fains quickly by path unknown,
which no man has travelled"
s'It is true"
know you aught Of us In Drussen-
1and?"
81 know that war sings death among
the hills
s'Naught elseF'
s.I know that Khrym looks down and
Is sorroEful, hiding his mead with a
cloud
'The great Khrym shall be appeased
tomorrow" he said. SIS it from Khrym
you have conner
He asked the question slowly.
ST have said that I came from the
mountains. Has any man traversed
the path have traversed?
'eAnd you have come to help usT'
10 all &OO0.
sETeII US your mission that we may
know you"
From the mountains have come to
help you against your enemies. Be
strong, and your princess shall sit up
on the throne in Yadasara. Be faith
full, be patient, and that which has
been hidden for ages from your eyes
shall once more sparkle in the sunlight
in Drussenland."
Ny allusion to the treasure had an
electrical effect upon my audience.
The princess rose to her feet, and the
steel rang nightly as every sword
leaped from its scabbard. The priests
bowed low, and shout after shout
made the massive walls echo again.
Only one man seemed unmoveG at
my statement-he who stood at the
right hand of the princess.
t'Has the priest sure proof that the
knight SO long expected has coneP'
'HThe priests shall stuey before they
speak certainly, Count Vasca.''
Remember" said the eount, irri-
| tated at the priests quiet answer and
pointing to Organ, ION the word OF a
foreign dog we are trusting"
''Nay, count, on the word of the
knight himself
It was the princess who spoke. Tt
was the first time I had heard her
speak, and her voice thrilled me.