Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 27, Decatur, Adams County, 14 September 1899 — Page 6

♦ o*o*o*o*o*o*o*d*o*o*o*o*o*o#o*o*o*o*C*o*o*o*o*o*o*o* O* o*o*o* o*o*o*o-::-0*0*0*0»0*C*0*0*0*0#0*0*0*0-»0*0*0*0*0 *0 o * a THE HOUSE Os ISSTENS. s O* * *0 o* By Sir D'Artagan Isstens. Cadet ofaGrcat House. Knightofthe °o *o Royal Order of Wassmark and One Time Embassador o* So to the Court of Charles I of England. 6 * O* « X? to •- 9 :,: So MADE INTO A ROMANCE BY THEODORE ROBERTS. o° o* _ *9 *O R o* o$ ’ko *0 Copyright, I 899, by American Press Association. 0* ± O O '*• O*0*0#0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0»0*0*0*0-X-0* 0*0*0*o*o*o *0« o*o *o*o*o*o*o*Q* o*o* o*o *o*o*o* o*o *o*o* o*o* o*o* o*o *o*o*o*

No sooner were we in our saddles than the guns of the enemy began to pop and our cannon and culverins to answer. A richly accoutered cavalier rode up and saluted us. We saluted in return with drawn swords. “The general’s compliments, and he begs you to fall in behind De Audrey’s lancers on the left of the prince’s dragoons. ” Here was honor, for these were the picked horsemen of the kingdom. We saluted again, and he rode on. •‘Though we are free companies, under none but God and the king," cried I, standing in my stirrups, “let us make Viscount Von Brum our colonel till the fight be over, that we may wheel and charge with one mind." The others agreed, and Von Brum thanked us and rode to the head of the squad. We found De Audrey’s lancers and took up our position without delay. There were so many broad backs and big spears in front that I could see no more of the enemy than if I bad been home at Isstens. but hearing them was another matter. Our 40 fellows were armed with swords and pistols and a few with carbines. I had the baron’s horse pistols in my holsters and my rapier in place of a saber. Red Harding wore his broadsword and carried a blunderbuss across his saddle. He told me it was loaded with 20 leaden slugsand grinned pleasantly “It will kick very hard." said I. “Yes. unless it has changed mightily in its habits; but I am used to it and will brace my horse before I let fly," i he answered. Our new commander looked over his shoulder at the piece in some concern. “You will please refrain from letting it fly into my back, lieutenant," said i he. Red Harding chuckled and answered him that it was safe not to go off before the fourth drop of the hammer. I am unable to do justice to a battle, j so I will let this one pass with only a little ink spilling. We charged over the hill, keeping together as well as we could. The lan- I cers drove at the horsemen in front of them, and it was a long time before we could get into the fight. When we did, Red Harding fired his old gun and | blew himself almost over his horse’s I tail. He scrambled forward into his saddle again, however, and charged with the rest of us. There was a great deal of smoke and mere noise. A pikeman reached my thigh, but I beat him down and leaped Hagart over the body and so gained the inside of the square of footmtn We had a warm and merry time in there. 1 can tell you A big captain i n a white horse was jammed against me. He swore in pure German and shortened his sword to run me through But he did not make allowance for my breastplate, so 1 smote him from the saddle with an empty pistol. Before evenfag the Bohemians were broken utterly and running frantically for the woods. Not many of them got away, for onr light horse followed and ; cut them down a» they fled, cheering as | if it were as much sport as the English i fox hunting When Red Harding and 1 counted onr men we found eight left I of the 12 who rode out of Isstens. and all those, like ourselves, suffering some wounds It had ever been thus with onr peasant soldiers —let the gentlemen lead on and the hotter the place of bat tie the happier for them. They wiped the sweat from their face's and shouted. “The king, the king, and the long sword of Isstens!" We built our tires on the battlefield and lay down to rest. Before we could yawn twice along came a cavalier splen didly attired and said that the broken army would play the devil with the villages farther on if we did not inter sere. “I will see to it." I said We devoured our frugal meal like wolves and then got about saddling our tired horses. Hagart was without a scratch but some of the men had to catch fresh mounts. As we went slowly across the trampled fields toward the highroad Red Harding grumbled away under his mustache like a sulky hound. “By all the beer mugs of Germany, what ails you?” I asked. “I have lost my gun, and how in the name of heaven are we going to guard these sheep of villagers without it ?’’ he muttered. This after the heat of the fight set ns all laughing till the tears trickled down and washed white streaks in the blood and dust. Going slowly along the trodden road under the mist my thoughts went hack to the English Marion in the house of my fathers. I shut my eyes, and there she was before me, lovely as I had seen her on She first day, all clad in silks and flcunces. I wondered what her heart said when she found the verses with my postscript in her silver cnp. How beautiful she looked when Harry was reading those same verses! And Harry, the learned rogue, what havoc he must be making in the hearts of the court ladies. I thought. I was roused from my reveries by Red Harding, who tapped my thigh. “What are the lights ahead?" he asked. “I was just wondering.” i answered (a man most lie sometimes) “Let us spur on and find out. ’’

We put our horses to the gallop, whirled down upon a little wayside inn, a crowd of soldiers, a coach, servants and lanterns. A young woman was speaking haughtily from the coach window, and a crowd of rascals were hanging to her horses’ bridles. A tall man in cloak and hat answered her from the road. “What the devil does this mean?" I asked, riding up to the coach. “It means." .said the lady, “that these rogues—the canaille of Bohemia —will not let me pass. They have taken my money, killed my servants, and now they want my horses. " I looked at the men. They were fellows from my father’s farms and stables. I looked at the man in the cloak. It was Captain Castletree. “I think you are mistaken, madame," I said, bowing to her. "These are peasants from Isstens. and this gentleman is an English captain." But in spite of my cool voice I was sorely puzzled, having left them all safe at home. The lady bit her lips and withdrew her head from the window. “Takeout the horses," commanded the captain, “and set a guard on the j coach, but no rudeness, men, or you ■ walk up to the hilt of this sword.” Then hb uncovered to me and with : his rare smile asked me to come in. It was a strange tale the captain had : to unfcld. of a message hot from the ; pen of a friendly German count, saying I that a lady of degree was posting j through the country with a letter for I the king c.f Burgar, full of lies, to set j him at onr throats; of a wild chase, j and at last this capture within sennd ; of the great battle. “This is the letter," he said in conclusion, handing me a sealed paper. I returned it to him "We will take it to the king, my dear captain, and I think it is as safe in your keeping as in mine. ” Whereat be put it back in his breast and tossed off his wine. “We will take the lady. too. in her coach and four.” I added. “If you will place the men in front and behind. I will ride inside with her ladyship and see that she plays no tricks.” “All right, comrade." he said, and we went out to our men Walking up to the coach, I opened the door The lady was seated in the corner with her face in her hands. “Madame." I stammered, “owing to circumstances it is my duty to come inside and ride with you to Blatenbnrg." I stepped in and closed the door. 1 could hear the lady sobbing and through the window Castletree and Red Harding snapping out commands. Presently the coach jerked, the driver shouted and away we went, with five men under Red Harding galloping be hind and ten under the captain gallop ing ahead. By the light of the coach lamps 1 could see my prisoner lift her face and gaze at me She was very handsome and saw immediately that I was young “Ah, milord," she sobbed, "that 1 should be robbed and ma) treated and then carried away by a gentleman of so gallant a bearing I" “1 am very sorry,” 1 replied, “but it was your own fault. ” She wept afresh at that and for sev eral miles we bumped and rolled along in silence 1 felt very sorry for this pretty girl in distress and was about to tell her so when she looked up and cried: “Oh. you pity me. sir!" 1 admitted that I did. “And yet to carry me away—ob. ■ 3k • ■ -- c A pikeman reached my thigh, but I beat him down. cru-.1, cruel!” And she bent and looked at me with her tear stained eyes. “You are the enemy of my king and country!” I cried as steadily as I could. She did not answer. “And yon are worse than a spy, madame, though I give you my word of honor that you shall not be hung,” I continued. “Oh. how kind, how gallant of you, sir!” she cried with mocking lips. I saw that she. too. was a lady of keen wit, and it thoroughly abashed me. Bnt in a softer tone she whispered, “How can one so young be without a heart ?” Before I bad time to tell her that it was usually the ones so young who lost their hearts she gave a little moan and fell against my shoulder.

“The devil! She is fainting,” I said and was about to call for help when up went her white hand, holding a pistol, and the hammer clicked within four inches of my face. This made me very cool. “I am afraid, madame, that someone has drawn the load. It is very provoking, is it not?" I remarked. She gave me the pistol and blushed. “I am glad it would not fire," she said, and we spent the remainder of the ride in entertaining conversation. It is well to be polite when riding with a lady who comes from Bohemia and carries pistols. We entered Blatenburg in the morning and took our prisoner, our letter and our story to the king. CHAPTER VII. THE DUEL IN THE GARDEN. He bowed to us on being shown into his closet, and, taking the paper, tore it open and read. I noticed him bite his lips in anger. "Dastardly!" he said and thrust it in his belt. Then be looked at the lady who was clinging to my arm. “This is the prisoner, sire, whom Captain Castletree captured on the road." I said. His face was ashen. “Barbara! Great heavens, is it you ?’ he cried. We bowed ourselves out. and at the door met Harry. His face was flushed "That is Princess Barbara of Colbnrg. the king’s betrothed," he whispered in my ear. I was staggered at that, thinking of the ride we had together and the sweet things I had said to her. We four went down stairs, and Harry ordered ns breakfast in the royal parlor, as if he were crown prince at least. We talked over our adventures, and Harry smile! warmly, especially ar the capture of the lady. But he seemed to have something bothering him. When the meal was finished, the captain and Red Harding went out to see about the men. and Harry drew me into a corner where he could talk privately. He put his fingers on my sword hilt and said: "Brother. I have a little engagement for tonight behind the statue of Cicero in the king’s garden It is with Colonel Angus MacDonald, the Scotch free lance Will you come with me?" “My dear boy. what foolishness is this?" I said; then, lowering my voice. “He is the best sword in Wassmark." “Not quite. I think," Harry answered. with a smile. “But what cf that ? He insulted me. the Viscount Isstens. Will yon come or shall I get some German or wind bag from Bohemia because my own brother is afraid?” I flushed at that. “You lie there.” I said. He clapped my back. “Good, old fire eater! I lied on purpose to get your blood up. Now, will yen second me ?’ “Yes. to the hilt.” I swore. As we went down the marble paved hill to the city I asked after the Lady St. Armand. “She is enjoying very good health, thank you," he replied. “Which is more than her cavalier is." 1 retorted, for I felt sore about this duel. He frowned, but neither locked at me nor spoke, so I kept silence for awhile. In a narrow street, smelling vilely of garlic and roasted sansages, we ran across Red Harding, cheek by jowl with another grizzled veteran. They were evidently well freighted with wine, for they passed with tipsy salutes and went wabbling down the gutter, shouting a song. At last Harry began to talk about the army, the city and the king, as if nothing uncommon was in the air, and, after all, a quiet passage with ewords was nothing among gentlemen But the thought of the big Scotchman hung like a cloud on my heart. Presently we came to a little street with tine stone houses on each side and glimpses now and then of green terraces. While going along here I noticed something fall past my face, and, looking down, found a red rose on the pavement Around its stem was twisted a little slip of paper. While I stood and surveyed this mysterious blossom open mouthed, Harry snatched it up and unwound the note His face was all a golden smile again, as it had been that night when he told me of the court of Blatenburg and again at the king’s fete in the palace. "I must leave you. Dart, for a little while." be said hurriedly, “but don't wait for me. Remember the statue of Cicero at midnight. ” And, pressing my hand, be was gone. "The green eyed lass. 1 bet my sword." 1 muttered to myself, and. turning, was about to retrace my steps when who should 1 see across the cobblestones but Captain Castletree, with the big Scotch colonel. Angus MacDonald 1 crossed over and joined them, and we moved down the street together, talking of everything but the duel. At the door of a gaming house the Scotchman bld us au revoir. using that French term significantly, and we went on together “Have you heard about the duel?’ I blnrted as soon as we were clear of the colonel. “Yes," replied the captain; “I am MacDonald’s second.” I stopped and faced him, with my band on the hilt of my rapier. “Is this loyalty to the house of Isstens?” I hissed. He looked at me calmly and answered. "It certainly is. my dear cauet. I looked at him in amazement. Wbat the devil could be mean? “Don’t you see. Dart." he said impatiently, “here we both are to knock up their swords after first blood, and I don’t think they will turn on us. The colonel has seen me fence in England, and the viscount would never cross . with yon. ”

“God bless you, captain, for yonr keen wit and unruffled temper. I answered humbly. He laughed softly and said, “Yon are a regular fire eater, cadet.” “I am afraid so, for twice already since the Ist of June have 1 offered to draw on Harry, and now I am clapping hand to hilt at the father of”— Here the words died on my lips. Zoundsi What had I said ? I looked at the captain, and he looked at me with a twinkling eye, but a grave mouth. “Did you speak, cadet?” he drawled in an indifferent voice. “It was nothing of importance," I murmured. There was no moon when we met behind the statue in the garden, but our two lanterns threw a very fair light on the turf. Harry seemed nervous at first, and when I was helping him off with his upper clothes whispered: “She loves me. Dart! She is worth dying for!" “Live for her, my boy. Keep cool and live for her." I replied. Presently they saluted and crossed blades. The first thrust, the first parry, showed that two masters of the art were at each other. The colonel talked away in his grating Scotch dialect, as if fencing with the Viscount Isstens was a game of draughts. The captain and I followed every slide of foot, shift of ground, with our naked rapiers before us. Harry. as cool now as the statue above him, played with a banging guard—at first very slowly, then lifted the point, lowered the hand and shot thrust after thrust at the other’s face. Then, springing back, he fell on one knee and as I quick as thought lunged up. The Scotchman took the blade in the inside flesh of his arm. “Now," cried Castletree, and we jumped in and knocked up their swords. “What does this mean?” blustered MacDonald. I did not hear the answer, for Harry was glaring at me like a trapped wolf. “Get out of the way!" he cried. “Not tAiight, ” I retorted. “You have had enough for honor’s sake.” His face waS drawn in anger, and his eyes fairly blazed. “Let me pass!” he cried again. “Sheathe your sword.” I replied. "The duel is over. ” His blade went wreathing and flashing at my eyes. I leaped back, still between them, and said as quickly as possible under the circumstances: “What is the matter. Lord Harry? Have I put burs in your pony’s tail or eaten yenr tart?" He flung bis sword on the ground. “I forgot myself. Dart,” he cried and straightway threw his arms about my neck. We left Harry at the palace, where he had rooms, and took the sullen Scotchman down to the tavern with us. The beds were wide, the sheets fresh, and I was soon dreaming. In what seemed to me a few minutes I was awakened by some one shaking me. It was a servant in the royal livery with a note which ran: The king wishes you to stay awhile with us. so do not go back with the others to Isstens today. Your loving brother, Harry. The sun was bright at my window. So. dressing quickly, I went down and told the captain that I had to stay for

1 f* I W i lb 1 Presently they saluted and crossed blades. a day or two at the king’s palace. He laughed at the wry face I pulled on this honor. Red Harding breakfasted with us and locked very much the worse for his days of dissipation. “Did you ogle the ladies, my heart . slayer ?" I asked. i ’ “Yea, Sir Cadet," he answered ruefully. "and they straightway clapped me over the back with their sticks and brooms." “A lieutenant should choose better company." remarked Castletree. “Yea. verily, captain. But I was in I no condition to choose. ” confessed the poor veteran My heart telt very heavy as I watched my two friends and the stout serving men mount at the inn door and shake out their bridles toward Isstens. I called for a pipe and tobacco and thereby made myself much worse, for I was not seasoned to the wonderful art of blowing smoke. While brooding over • my woes in walked Harry, more ruffs and sword hilt than ever. His eyes showed the merry state of his heart. "Here is a token of the princess’ regard ; she left for Colburg this morning,” he said, handing me a scented : billet deux, and a little engraved box. I opened beth. The note contained the following words: To the gentleman without a heart, who guarded the dastardly spy and enemy of his king into E'.atenburg, this little toy is lovingly given. Barbara. The box contained a tiny horse pisi tol, done m tine silver and set about with rubies. Harry was grinning at me all the while. I am not so quick at catching the meaning of things as some people are and said, “I hope the king has forgiven her and that they are all right again." [TO BE CONTINUED. |

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