The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-02-24

''BE HONEST MEN, NOT FOOLS OF PASSION"
taken my place only a few moments
when the curtains were drawn, and
swift glance at me-so swift that I
doubt If any other noticed it. She
bowed proudly as a roar of voices well
coined her, but she looked pale and
anxious.
tIt has ever been our custom in
Drussenland to let even a prisoner
speak an answer to his accusers." 1t
was a relief to hear her voice break
the silence. She spoke softly, yet 50
clearly that she must have been heard
even In the farthest corner. "In these
days, however, it has pleased certain
of our subjects to speak bitterly of one
who Is not prisoner-one who came
to us and was welcomed by us as a
knight long expected in our land. The
Judgment that he was what he has
claimed to be rested not with us. Wis
dom greater than ours declared his
coming to be propitious to our state,
and in arms he has borne himself gal
lant1y, as many valiant warrior can
here attest Yet some among us have
spoken bitterly OF him, and more
have, in their hearts. condemned him
without hearing. That is indeed In
justice.
"But worse offense has been COM
mitted. In our own palace, at our very
door, was this knight attacked while
he guarded our person. If the assas-
sins knife were raised against us,
then truly we and all our loyal sub
1ects owe this knight thanks for his
protection of US. If, as some affirm,
the attack was made upon the knight,
1t would be well to stamp out, since
for lack of courage they seek to muir
der and are no true Drussenlanders.
We know that the hand which held
the knife was not the hand OF him
who devised the crime. The tool paid
dearly for his part, and 80 in good
time shall they who planned and who,
to screen. themselves from our anger,
si1enced forever the guards who could
have betrayed them Now we are
here not to judge; nor of our wish is
this council called together. 1t is by
the wish of the knight you have ac-
cused; not all of you. but some Only
vaguely has he heard the charges
brought against him, and, since there
can be no steady answer to vague ru-
NOR, 1t is our will that you who have
aught to say speak and that the knight
S44<1A oASWS1 JOue 4Ou WIZ AAoCOAt
and she swept her arm round to in
cIude every upturned face in the hall
'1you who listen give a patient hear
ing. We seek not to guide you, but
be honest men, not fools of passion to
be led by every one who tries to move
you. Be Drussenlanders, not wretcheS
making our street corners dangerous,
men ready to creep in the dark and
stab from behind. I have gloried In
that am your princess, gloried in the
brave hearts / rule, gloried in your
deeds, have been proud to cry to the
whole world that I am a princess in
Drussenland, but show me that you
are cravens, men afraid to meet their
enemy face to face, and I will fling
this golden circle of my sovereignty
among you. Make whom you will
your ruler. should think it shame TO
call such men my subjects"
For a moment there was silence:
ben a murmur ran through the hall
and then a great roar. She had touch
ed them. Dexterous1y she had paved
the way for me.
'fYou, our priests, have somewhat
against the knight" she said when the
shouting had ceased, "and you, our
loyal knights. Speak honestly, and
you, Sir Verral, answer honestly, so
Justice shall be done.''
She looked first at the chief of the
priests, then at Count vasca and then
at me.
Go Be ContinuedO