The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-10


 --==-==========-@so pet to call half the city to my banner
 .Then let the trumpet sound at day break. Revolution will shake the city, and I shah be saved.'
 He paused a moment.
 '@The fortress is not yet in my hands, else had not been forced to gain the kings permission before came to you. I cannot save you unless you come with me. From this dungeon the king protects us, afterward my friends-your subjects"
 ssAnd Sir VerralI ?''
 ''Him cannot save. would have done so if I could, but 1t is impossible. My followers demand his death, as they do the death of all those who have been brought into tflfs land to hght for hire He Is Foreigners brave man, I grant-stiu, foreigner"
 ssYet you will be king tomorrow, so you tell me" ,"
 faye, as surely as that torch begins to burn low and shows that time clam ors for your answer"
 He spoke in a different tone. per cefved that his patience was nearly exhausted.
 My answer is no.'' she said firmly.
 'tFhe rack is a cruel companion, princess. Were the greatest villain n Drussenland, yet should [ be a gen Fler comrade than the rack
 saThe rack kills the body. A villain would break my hear"
 '"Time is meaningless when in the racks embrace he answered. s'EveFy second is an hour when agony thrills through every nerve You may live flor hours, and hours in such q case mean a hfetime.''
 s'Yet I shall die honestly, loving q true man Can lifetime. be it of hours or years, be better spentf'
 .eYou love this foreign dog?"
 'sAs my own soul"
 She rose to her feet as she said it.
 My time had nearly come. Cautious ly felt that my sword was loose fin Ats scabbard.
 .@The torch burns low. Think once more"
 I wondered how he intended to take her without her consent. as O'Ryan had said he might do Would he at- tempt to drug her? Suddenly he drew his sword. Was he about to wound her and thus secure herr He stirred the torch into a brighter flame with the point of his weapon.
 ''See, make the time as long as possible" he said defiantly.
 fgThough all the torches in Drussen- land were here and each one were lighted from the dying flame of an- other, yet that time would not suffice Go make me change said Daria slow 1y. ''I believe-I know-that the God who looks down upon us will give me strength to bear what is before me. Go, Count vasca, gol You are dou- ble traitor. See that do not betray you when the rack cracks these limbs of mine.''
 s.I will see to Ehat,' he answered harshIy tsYour folly shall neither kill my ambition nor make me careless. Perhaps it is for my own safety, per haps pity for you, T hardly know which, but the rack shall not hurt you. You shall make an easier end. There lies the death road. You shall. take it tonight"
 He threw his cloak back from his shoulder to give his sword arm free dom. Whether he meant to kill her shall never know. My time had come.
 Daria sprang toward him.
 ''For that I thank you. You could do me no greater service.'
 She clutehed the bosom of her dress with both hands and tore 1t open, showing her white flesh.
 Strike. and strike deepT' .
 His moment of surprise was my mo- ment of opportunity. I drew myself up and stood in the dungeon, sword fin hand. Daria turned with a low cry. The count, with an oath, pushed her aside, so that she fell upon the couch, and rushed at me. remembered that the trap was just behind me, and I stepped aside as our blades met.
 FYou must crush your enemy now, count. It is your last chance,,'' hiss ed. "The road you were to take to- night I take. The death way is for you.''
 He did not answer. His eyes were fixed on mine, his sword flashed with mine It was to be a duel to the death. We both knew that. He tried to force me back toward the hoIe I tried to make him change ground with me We neither of us succeeded, vet he had the advantage. for the flicker ing torch was before me and spoiled my sight somewhat. Twice, thrice, he made a sudden effort to finish the matter, once almost breaking through my guard. The point of his weapon touched my arm and the blood showed, The count smiled The next moment had touched him. and there ensued q fierce encounter for q few moments. Mucceeded in get1ing round him Now