The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-08

But when they saw their prince standing there with drawn sword and flashing eyes, they hesitated and looked behind.
 Through their parted ranks came Romakoff, with a small guard of the palace soldiers. When they saw Prince Maurice they too came to an amazed stop. But Romakoff stood forward.
 Sire" he cried, you have dis covered the traitress. Let us away with her to tho, ramparts, Seize her, sergeant"
 But the prince held out his hand.
 You are too nasty, Romakoff," he said. "rhe countess is a subject of the country whose friendship we seek She has demanded my protec- tion, and I have granted 1t. She shall be tried if you will, but by proper tribunal"
 But Romakoff's face grew black as night.
 My prince" he said, I've have proofs of her guilt sufficient to justify us in hanging her hundred times over. There is no tribunal for such a case. Our courts are broken up, and at any moment we may ex- pect the Turks upon us. We have sworn to have her life first, and have it we will"
 The sword of Prince Maurice touched the throat of the man who | had sprung forward. The blood on my sword" he said, "is the blood of Menid Bey. Him I have slain. Without their general the Turks will not move. We are safe for tonight-ay, and tomorrow l make myself responsible for the keeping of this woman"
 But a roar of dscontent and angry mutterings arose from the throng, and Romaktff grew pale with rage.
 "We have promised the people," he cried, raising his voice, that justice shall be done, and our word shall be kept!"
 And what of my word?" Prince Maurice answered. q have pledged 1t to her husband for her safety dur ing his absence, and I have pledged it to the lady herself Officer of the guards, l call upon you to protect your prince against the rabble!" The soldiers hesitated. From the throng of half f-starved men came running two, who sprang upon the
 
 terror was mingled with their death cry. and once more Prince Maurice 8 r sword was dripped with blood. | With a cry of rage the rabble closed in. Then indeed it seemed as though the end was come. There were hundreds Cf them armed and athirst for blood. Prince Maurice lowered his sword and held up his hand.
 "You want victim?" he cried. "Very well, take the one who de- serves death! This woman is ln- nocent. am the traitor?'
 There were cries of amazement, of disbelief. Prince Maurice waved them aside.
 Tt is l who would have bought i your sefety and my own" he cried. q meant to give the city ever to the | Turks on favorable terms, for no hope remains of saving 1t. I would | have done it so that the honor of our citizens might have been preserved The countess was my tool, nothing else. Now you have foiled me. I have broken my word, and there will be no quarter"
 Romal1off rushed at him with his sword shortened.
 "Traitorw he cried.
 But Prince Maurice struck him with his fist and he fell heavily upon the ground.
 DO what you will with me. my people" he cried, but remember that the countess is innocent"
 Romakoff turned toward them.
 "Men Of Crersa," he cried, i've have been betrayed, and by him who we trusted most. Let us not soil our hands with his blood. Send him and this-this woman forth to the Turks! Let them live and suffer the eternal torment of a dishonored life. Close the gates of the city upon them and then to the ramparts. ~ For every | Turk that enters Crersa, another shall see he'll"
 "To the gates with them" cried | the mob
 So in the twilight of windy dawn the people of Crersa drove out their prince, and with him the woman whose life he had saved at such a bitter cost.
 A Turkish sentry found them and dragged them Into the camp. It was the old father of Menid Bey. To him Prince Maurice, without faltering, l told his story. When he had finished there was silence. The old man rose up, dry-eyed, but terrible in his l
 "The Countess of Merguillon," he said, 'is our honored guest and we will find means to send her before | long to her country. To ytu, Prince of Herania," he continued. shall be delt out such punishments as befits the murderer of my son, an ob- stinate enemy and traitor to his natural suzerain, the Sultan"
 "The Sultan Is no suzerain or mine, nor ever has been," cried Prince Maurice. Neither am l a traitor"
 The old man ignored him.
 "TCday," he said, lis a feast day with you, Christian dogs-the feast of Christmas. You shall spend It fittingly, I promise you. Away with him guards"
 The countess fell on her knees.
 My lord" she cried. have mercy upon him! Your son fell in fair fight, as I myself saw. If any one is guilty of his death 1t was l, for he came to see me. You are brave man and soldier. YLu will not dis grace your country and your pro- | fesson"
 Menid Pasha thrust out yellow skinny forefinger toward her. There was no yielding In his face.
 Remove this woman" he said land see that she Is securely lodged. RESORTS AND TRAVEL