Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 26, Decatur, Adams County, 7 September 1899 — Page 6

♦ O*O*O*O*O*0»O*O*O*O*O-H'O*O J “O*O*O*O*O*O •*o*o*o*o*o*o*o'C‘ o*o*o*o*o*o<o*o*o*o*o*o*o *c-*o*o*o*o*c*o*o*o*o*o«o*o*o i THE HOUSE OEISSTENS. I ♦O. o * os ' *2 o* By Sir D'Artagan Isstens. Cadet of a Great House. Knight cf the °o *o Royal Order of Massmark and One Time Embassador 2q °o to the Court of Charles lof England. o = e* _ *o -O r o■•= »o MADE INTO A ROMANCE BY THEODORE ROBERTS. S° ♦ o * o* 0* «O *0 Copyright, I 899, by American Press Association.

CHAPTER IIL THE ROBBER CAPTAIN S DAUGHTER. In a few days things had taken on very much their old faces Five prisoners. being robbers and murderers, were hung, but out of sight of the house My prisoner, whom we called "the captain. ” was kept for ransom. So I told the wen but I doubt if I would have let him hang under any circumstances, for he fascinated me strangely. He was prisoned in my chamber and fed from our own table We took him all wanner of books, which he read with pleasure. Harry, who was a wonderful scholar, far beyond anything I could hope for. used to argue with him over Hemer and Ciesar. and sometimes they wrote songs together Then they would have me in to hear the s ngs. which. I must say. were very learned and not a little uncommon. The crops were put in and life went on in the cottages and fields, as well as in the house, very ranch as it had before the great robber raid. One morning I was seated on a stone ben.h half way down the avenue f beeches, dreaming of things winch the captain's songs had started in my brain, when on raising ray head I saw a lass tripping toward me up the r.ad. She was robed in all manner of fine silks, like my mother on occasions, and had white gloves on her whiter arms Merry golden curis fell down from under the great feathered bat. “By the 1. ng sword, here comes that court lady after Harry.” I muttered to myself, and straightway rose and bowed, hand < n heart m the latest mode 5-he answered with a fine c urtesy. "Are yon the Ltd cadet of Isstens. art she asked, gazing sweetly. I could see now that her face was wan and her eyes red from weeping. “I am the cadet of the house, madame, but with ut a title. Perhaps it is my brother, the viscount, you would see?” I bowed low after each word. “Nay. sir. it is the brave cadet 1 hear he captured my father with his single sw ird. and toe k him into the hctue kindly, as became a gentleman.' she said very siftly. looking at me with wonderful eyes all the while. “Whatl" I cried. “Are you the robber captain s daughter, madame?" And I fell to staring at her like a great frog She flushed haughtily at that. “lam Captain Castietree s daughter —yes. Dees it offend your ears, my lord ?’ I was confused woefully “Do you want to take him away, madame I He is very quiet and is helping my brother write verses. I gasped The isdy laughed merrily at my epeech and face. "1 w -1 l. xe to have him. Sir Cadet but Id nt want to spoil your brother a rhymes. 1 recovered from my confusion “Let us talk it ver. You know he is a irisuner of war. I eaid towing .O’-* x < c . She arts- ■ --t-l a ,r-i€ crairtety. her to the seat I thought to impress her with the greatness f the favor she asked, so continued, “The four otl.er captives were hung. Sb- fa-;.- : 1.-r -ry-s at me. “Because they were ccmmon scuta.' she cried, “do yon think they had no eon Is?” “I don't think they trad, tnadame, foi they were the f oulest r rues and murderers under heaven. The captain is a man of breeding and may n t be a rascal, after alb At any rate I have kept him safe, ae iwe are fond of him now ’ Her eyes filled with tears. “Oh. forgive me ' sheened. “I have Binned in speakinz so to you. May God bless you for your sparing hand. " The tears sprang to my own eyes at the words cf her f-irgivenees. “It was very little to da It was a pleasure, I stammered. Then. “May I take you to your father. Mistress Castletree ?” She accepted my proffered hand, and ■ together we went up the avenue and through the great gate cf the house of listens. CHAPTER IV. “do you love her. viscorvr'" Can you imagine the stir all through the house when I ushered in the captain s daughter, splendid in her silks and sunny smiles? Out came my father and bowed like a gallant of 20. Out came my mother an d swept the door with a grand courtesy. Mistress Lyons cried, “Bless her dear English face’’ and kissed her. Ab. thought 1. Castietree is an English name, is it, and I gracefully presented Harry, who could not have come I faster to meet the court lady whose j hand he had kissed.

I ran and released my prisoner, who came d wn and received that little form—silks and curls, great hat and all —into his arms with a cry of joy. He told her bow kind we had all been to him—a foreign outlaw, a leader of rob- ! bers —and we blushed and wished we had been 2o times kinder. Then the maiden was taken off under my mother's wing, and we men held counsel in the little dining parlor "I am clear of the robbers," said the I big captain, “and I swear"—he did in English—"that I would plow like a peasant sooner than return to them. ” “Yu are a worthy gentleman, sir,' said the baron, “and how you came to I mix and fight with such dags I cannot see. “That—my reason for it is a closed page of my life, answered , the EngI iishman. “Enough, my lord, that I was once happy in my own castle in Devon, with a sweet wife, hon r and wealth, and now” — And he burst into tears. The sight of a strong man in the agony of weeping is ever a pain to me. iVben he recovered himself, my father offered him a position in the b usehvld. t? make him and Mistress Castietree of the family. My heart rose at that The captain looked up proudly. “Can learn our tread, my lord: Is there w irk for me to do ?" Tbe baron, who was slightly the j elder ■ f the two. took his hand. “There is work, my friend, for a true gentleman with a true sword in the house of Isstens. Will you swear to be loyal to this family until this family or some member of it is disloyal to I yon ?” “I swear it on my honor " said the captain. I slipped out and getting his surren- ! dered sword from my room returned and placed it in his hands. "Not this sword.” he said. “I will purchase a new cue from the house cf Isstens. And he broke the lithe blade across his knee and handed me back tbe two pieces. "It was not the sword I used in the service of my <. Id king. Neither will I use it in tbe service of my new lord, the Baron Isstens. " he said, smiling sadly And thus the bouse of Isstens was increased, and life seemed to be merrier and more worth the trouble inside tbe gray old walls. The captain knew a great deal about farming and even more about weapons and tbe drilling of men. Soon all the people on the estate, including old Red Harding. Ic ked up t i him with love and respect, and some of them whispered that he had been a prince in his own country. Blithely, like red petals blowing from a bush, went the days through May and June. Tne brigands lay close in their mountain fastnesses, evidently crushed by our brave defense, tbe s.ar.ghter at the gates and the banging of tbe captives. Tee peasants returned to their work tbe foresters and keepers to the woods, tbe pl- w men and sowers to the fields, and the young grain was green ever tbe uplands. Captain Castietree was everywhere. Fir three days be tramped about in the forests with a squad of axmen mar zing the lumber to be cut for i-.tiding and where the underbrush was t. be cleared out fur firewood. I wondered if he ever thought of the i Isstens fag. t he had tried so heartily to use over my bead. Tb- rewasa second ditch to be run through the swamp, and tbe captain mark-d tbe best course for it, and even nelpel at the blasting cut cf rocks with Dis wn sands And yet a finer and proud-r g-ntleman could not be found ! in Wassmark where it is said the no- 1 tility cann.t bend to pick up their gk-v-.s sfivuld they happen to fall It did net take me many weeks to 1 disc, ver that I was deeply in live with Mistress Castietree. Her other name was Marion, which both Harry and 1 thought very pretty My brother made verses about it and read them to us on tbe s-iuth terrace. Sometimes my heart ached that I too could not write dancing rnymea to bring smiles to her lips I locked at Harry through a green light and said ail manner cf unpleasant things to him. and for answer he would only eye me and smile. One day I caught him by tbe shoulder —we were alone—and cried, “Do you love her. viscount?" At first I thought be was about to say “No'" tut bis face changed and he cried: “Fie, fie, my dear cadet: An«i what if I do?” “Yes. pc-r-r cadet." I biased. “Oh. but tbe cadet has a sword, and by all tbe devils it is not an easy one to get beyond:' With horror at my words I turned away. Quick as a flash he was at my shoulder. “Don't worry, cld fire eater.” b« said, laughing: “there is someone in Blatenburg. you know." And then he broke off and began to sing. I rushed after him and craved pardon humbly for my hasty words. We went out together and f raud Marion on the south terrace looking out across the valley with dreamful eyes. Harry bad a slip of paper in his hand. i: L.isteD tu Dart’s ulst pucdu, ’ hr said, the while I stared at him speechless. He read

"Sweet of the golden hair. Here to your feet I bring Sword and heart and hand. Truer than heart of king. “Knew that the sword is leaj E'en till this life is done — Know that my heart is thine. Sweetest Maid Marlon.” Here the viscount turned and fled, leaving me gazing at Mistress Castietree and she at the sky Her face was crims, n. and I think mine was I-. “By all the little blue dev' — I remembered myself and fled away also. CHAPTER V THE KING'S SUMMONS. When I found Harry, he was convulsed with laughter, lying on tbe couch in our chamber. I could not challenge him to fight, so I sprang upon him with my knees and said that I would both write and read my own pcetus in the future. When next I met Marion, she flashed her eves at me in a haughty way that raised both terror and admiration in my heart. She did not go down to her seat on the south terrace for three days after tbe jester play of Harry's How to mend matters I did not know, though I pondered over it continually and forgot ray sword exercise and all interest in quarter staff. But cne night a plan dawned upon me. and I begged Harry to give me the verses. He did sc without questioning, and going up to my room I scrawled beneath them "This is all true: I swear it. though Harry wrote tbe rhymes. D Artagan. Then I put the paper into her silver cup down in tbe dining ball and went up to bed. Scarcely bad I got clear cf my bc>ots when in came Lieutenant Red Harding. “Up. sir. and into saddle for Blatenburg. at the king's command, ” and off again to fi«d Harry, who was somewhere reading Ca sar. I pulled on my riding boots, changed my silk coat for a leather jerkin with steel breastplate, buckled on my sword belt. and. hat in hand, clattered down stairs. Harry, Red Harding and I. with 12 j horsemen, were to answer the king s summons, leaving my father and the captain with the rest of tbe men to ’ guard tbe house. The mother came out to bid us god-

sp»eed, but no Marion: so away we started on the 30 mile road to the king’s city. Harry jested so that the men she k till I thought they would roll from their saddles. I did not feel unusually gay. which I think was quite natural. While Harry and Red Harding chatted merrily I rode at the lieutenant's left, silent as the dead. After five h rars on tbe road, which was mnd to the fetlock most of tbe way. tbe dawn broke in front cf us. We dismounted at a little hostel and drained a cup, while the fellows fed our berses a bite and rubbed them dry with handfuls of straw I washed Hagart’s mouth nt myself, for he is a fine horse and t o good to be trusted to every wayside stable boy. Before the sun had risen a pale width above the fir trees we were mounted again. Half an hour later we rode into Blatenburg. the king's city, and by the light on the viscount's face one might have thcugnt it was his. Tbe streets were alive, early though the hour was, and armorers had their forges going—and tbe smiths, too —for many of tbe incoming horses had cast their shoes. The great houses, tbe hurrying people and the bright faces made 1 what seemed to me a wondrous brave sight. Onr leader. Harry, took us far into tbe city, and there ordered us to dismount at a big inn not far from the royal palace. Out of the saddles we climbed, glad enough to be rid of them Our horses were led away, and we went inside to breakfast The landlord took us to the highest table, while a drawer hustled our men in to a spread of bam and beer. "Have you beard anything of the Bonemians?" asked Harry "Baron Vossguff defeated them last night is miles to the north, my lord, answered the fellow, with a broad smile. "Thank God ” we cried, and drained to the health of Baron Vossgiff. • Harry, as cur captain and representative of tbe house of Isstens. must gc up and report to the king, but Red Harding and I. belted and spurred, sal lied out am in artn to view the city I think we were a fierce looking pair by the way the other soldiers turned to stare at us. I wore gold across my breast and Ibe mark of the cadet, together with the Isstens crest on my sash, and Red Harding was bravely trigged out with lace and geld, p-ilished trass and scarlet Though ladies waved their scarfs to us from the windows and balconies of the tall houses and men saluted us in the streets, my heart w -Id not away frem tbe gray house of Isstens. When we returned to the tavern. Harry was awaiting us. He was most beautifully dressed in satin and lace. Wise vise-rant to bring bis court suit along with him! It was evening and he bore news cf a great fete in the palace and palace gardens, to which all true officers and gentlemen were invited. At this Red Harding, wbowss something of a blade at heart, pulled a long face. "By tbe devils, viscount, can I go in these boots i" be gasped. The troopers at the doer fell to laughine at thie. Tbe lieutenant froze them with a stare, and then be went in to supper. But as feasting would be going on at tbe palace we did not spend much time ever the tavern beef. I had two men in to rub us up—boots, breastplates and spurs —and Red Harding groaned. “If we can't go looking like the viscount, we will go looking very much like the devil.” On our way up the hilt which was paved with marble for foot passengers, Harry took an arm of each and said, “Tbe king has ordered me to stay with him and use my poor lira ins in his counsels while the trouble lasts and yon to take tbe men and out and use your good swards against tbe Bohemians. " We saluted. Then Red Harding said, “It is good news, viscount, but it wi3

be strange without you riding and cutting between us. ■True:” I cried; then. “Thank God. I have more blade than brains When we reached the gardens, my rustic eves were near to popping ort at Bight of all the lights and gay costumes. We passed into a magnificent hall, and while I was staring about Harry plucked me by tbe sleeve. There was a tall, ruddy man at his elbow, smiling i broadly “The king"’ whispered Harry I dropped on one knee, flapping hat in baud. “Arise, sir," be said. and. when I wae up. "I have heard much of you from the viscount here." Then be said some kind words to Red Harding and let ns gq. Hr f ■■ wed Harry through the brilliant throng like hound pups after their dam in a new cover After parading up three great rooms Harry halted us in front of a young woman in fizure much like Marion, but with brown hair and the most roguish zreen eyes I had ever seen She was talking with a tall cavalier in red and gray, but looked up with a faint run of color over her brow on cur approac’" I nudged Harry, who nodded. “Ho. ho!" thought I. “So this is cur lady of the coach window—our future baroness." Harry presented us and then excused himself, and. with the grizzled lieutenant on his arm. left me alternately grinning at the lady and glaring at tbe ■ | cavalier, who almost immediately i bewed and went also. Then the Lady St Arnaud moved over and bade me rest on the same seat In spite of my sword play, my pride and my great talk of the rights of tbe cadet which same, in truth, are no rights at all . 1 was little mere than an unpolished rustic, and this honor nearly threw me into a fit Marion had never asked me to sit beside her on the south terrace. But the lady was so kind and fascinating, like a rare, bright jewel, that 1 soon found myself at ease Now I will get even with Harry and burn hisships behind him. I thought so I told her of his little story, which had been interrupted by the raid of the bill raen “So the viscount kisses and tells!’ she said, raising her eyebrews. “Not always," I answered. “I once saw him kiss my mother's maid, but j he didn t tell us about it afterward." She looked at me gayly I could see ‘ at once that she was painfully sharp of wit "You shock me, Sir Cadet. " she cried in a feigned voice. “It shocked me. too, at the time, for the same maid would never let me kiss her," I said. She looked demurely at her pointed shoes. "What a strange choice, " she murmured. "to let tbe Viscount Isstens kiss her when the cadet of the same name was within calling." I knew that she was playing with her meaning here and that she intended

Ac I dropped on one knee, flapping hat In hand. 1 should know it. Sc I smiled simply and remarked that she would make Isstens a very merry old place. At this she blushed, stared haughtily and waved me off. and upon seeing Harry coining toward ns I backed away. Later, when Red Harding and I were stamping about the gardens. Harry came out and pressed my hands. “Thanks, brother." he whispered “I think we are quits now. " Then he laughed merrily, as if his heart had nothing mere to say. and left ns. The cld lieutenant scratched his scarred cheek “Alack!" he cried “The viscount and the cadet have ogled tbe ladies and been ogled most lovingly in return and tbe Cavalier Red Hard ing has net wen so much as a smile.” "It is safer so. comrade,” I replied, "for a youth it in danger of losing his bead before the smiles of women. ” Shortly after midnight we left the gay throng, for we looked to be well on . the road with our men before sunrise of tbe morrow CHAPTER VI TKB CAPTURE OF THE STRANGE LADY The horses were saddled by lantern light, and we were all mounted before the dawn At tbe city gates we joined three other gentlemen, each leading ten horsemen. So together we made a stout little squad of 42 men and five officers. Onr orders were to ride until we met Baron Vcssgoff. who was expecting at any hour an attack from the second Bohemian army. The roads were better than the ones we had traveled before: sows pounded along right merrily. A few miles out we passed a regiment of pikemen with their officers mounted on shaggy ponies. They cheered as we rode by in the ditch. Before noon we came upon the army, which lay along the crest of three low hills, awaiting the Bohemians. After reporting to tbe baron we etaixOueij uuT Hiru lu n gujeit arid ordered the preparation of dinner. The three officers of the private companies we had ridden along with came to onr

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fire. Two f them bel- nged to great houses in the west and tbe third was a lowlv born, well tested soldier like Red Harding. While we dev< tired our Spartan fare and told f past adventures we watched company after company of horse, foot and artillery creep along the road and take up position to right and left. We were d wn a little from the main body of tbe army, with a thicket of birches in front of us. but preßentlv came n ise of a disturbance and rumor that our scouts and out picket- were riding in. many of them wounded. Then tbe bugles began all alonz the line, fiercest on the bill to our left, where most of the cannon were planted. Red Harding filled a flagon with wine to the brim and g- t to his feet. "My lords, as the oldest officer in our circle, with most scars on my body. I pledge the war cup. To our country and our king! To the glory of the bouses we serve and to ourselves! he shouted, and. tipping the cup. drained it. Nothing about “To tbe glcry of God and the saints. ” which is but a poor excuse for blowing out men’s brains and cutting off their beads: but we lifted our sw. rds and swore to fight like loyal men and the troopers cheered. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

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