Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1911 — Page 7

The Knight of the Silver Stat

A I&OEMimC® Draseenl&nd

By PERCY BREBNER

CHAPTER IV. y COULD get nothing out of [•g|J J O’Ryan until he had done full KgxSi justice to the food and wine. cS£=U “This is much better than sudden death,” he said, setting down his empty flagon with an intense sigh of satisfaction. “Tell me who I am supposed to be.” “A saint.” “I don’t feel like one.” “You play that part to perfection.” “I feel more like a considerable sized liar.” “It was the only way out of it. Half measures were no good. How we’re going to act up to promise I don’t know. You may possibly get the princess to the capital, but how you’re going to find a treasure which doesn’t exist beats me.” “I told them to be patient,” I said. “You did. but I don’t think patience is of much use to them.” “Count Vasca didn’t believe a word I said.” ’ “No. Still, he is not too well loved. The priests hate him because he does not love the priests, and many of the knights hate him because they believe the princess thinks too much of him.” “Loves him, do you mean?” “Yes. He is a kinsman of hers and wishes to marry her. Most of the knights swallowed your story, and the princess”— “What of her?”

“Well, she may believe it or she may not, but she’s a woman and you’re a big, good looking man. If the priests say you are the knight expected I don’t think she’ll raise any objection.” “Let me know just where I am, O’Ryan,” I said after a pause. “What tale did you tell of me?” “I began telling the truth, and when I saw how interested they were 1 varnished it a little. The legend about the treasure says that a great knight shall come to Drussenland and find it. The priests' questions first put it into my head. Your appearance had already impressed the soldiers, so I just cut in and swore that yon were the knight everybody was expecting. It was a pretty bold move, seeing I had not talked it over with you. but it was a good one—witness our being here.” “If the people believe this legend so implicitly, how was it you were treasure hunting when I first came upon you?” “Easily explained,” said O’Ryan. “The king in Yadasara is not much under priestly influence. He likes having his own way, and, although he firmly believes that the treasure exists, bethinks he can find it without any supernatural aid, and if it does exist I dare say he is quite right.” “Probably.” “Besides, he is surrounded by a good many nineteenth century adventurers, who care about as much for religion as a cow does for roast partridge. To put it shortly, the superstitious part of the people are mostly here with the princess.” "But what is the religion of Drussenland?’ “I'm not much at religion myself. Verrail,” he said. “They are not heathens in this country, but everything has a symbol. You have seen how the mountain Khrym stands like a sentinel over the land. It is the most prominent feature, and when thinking of the author of his being and ruler of his destiny every true Drussenlander thinks of Khrym; therefore Khrym has come to mean God, and, although they do not worship the mountain, they believe that the appearance of the mountain reflects the pleasure or displeasure of the Almighty.” “Do all the people believe this symbolical jumble?’ /: , ■ ■ '•■': < “I think so—that is, all who are for the princess. I don’t suppose the priests believe all they teach, but it suits them to keep up the superstition, and, this war has become a kind of religious ohe.”

“Have they no priests in Yadasara?” I asked. • “Plenty, and, very wisely for themselves, they teach what pleases the king. That kind of thing, too. has been done in the old country.” “So I am the expected knight sent from Khrym.” “You told them so.” “How the deceit is to be kept up I don’t know.** “First of all, lock up that consc: ance of yours for a bit and play the game to the end.” "There seems nothing else to be lone." “Do you know what my name is supposed to be?’ “I think you are nameless at present. It is of little consequence. If necessary I’d just be too great a personage altogether to have a name and let them dub you what they will. Then, Sir Knight, whatever your name is, I am your humble squire.” The next morning was clear and sunny. Our quarters overlooked a large square, which appeared to be the center of the town, and, although it was early when I awoke, the business of the day was commenced. O’Ryan was still sleeping, and I did not wake

him. Men and women were hurrying to and fro across the square, some staying to gossip for a few moments with their neighbors, talking eagerly, and I could not help thinking that their conversation was of me. Looking across the town, I‘ could see a large portion of the camp, where ail was movement aijd bustle, armor and arms glistening in the sun, and the dull rumble of many voices ascended to my ears. Beyond the camp, across the spur of the lower hills, I could see the summit of Khrym standing out white against the blue sky. The sound of trumpets broke my reverie. Into the square marched a troop of warriors with lances sloped and with rhythmical tread, and in the midst of them, attended by a dozen knights, was Princess Daria. She rode as a man. clothed in a light coat of mail, a low steel helmet upon her head, from underneath which strayed a lock or two of her hair. Her limbs were cased in steel, and her horse was in armor. No wonder her soldiers worshiped her! “A brave show. Sir Knight.” I had not heard O’Ryan stirring, and he startled me.

“A warlike young woman,” he went on. “That cavalcade going along Whitehall would make London think a little. Very warlike, but still a woman. Don’t forget that.” “Am I likely to forget it?” “Caught alread’-. eh? Well, the women in this country take a lot of beating. I’m wondering how my wife in the capital yonder is getting on. If I ever get back I expect I’ll have to do some more hacking for her. When I don’t turn up she’ll say. ‘Poor Dennis, he’s dead,’ and then”— “Well?” I said as he paused. “Then she’ll marry some one else.” “Are there no widows, then? “A few old ones. The young are philosophical. Mike may be a better man than Pat, but Pat living is worth any number of dead Mikes.” “Cheer up, O’Ryan,” I said. “You must win her back if necessary.” The center of the square was kept clear, and here about noon three sets of double stakes were fixed firmly in the ground. Presently a single trumpet sounded, and as its last note echoed among the hills a great shout burst into the air. a shout that woke, the hills to voice again. A silence followed, and I could hear faintly a slow, mournful, although not unmusical, chant coming from some part of the building below us.

“Some religious ceremony,” I said. O’Ryan nodded. There was the clatter of horses’ hoofs, and a troop of knights, headed by Count Vasca, appeared. I looked among them to find the princess, but she was not there. There was a savage satisfaction in the count’s face as he glanced up at our windows. We both drew back. “That man will be our greatest enemy,” said O’Ryan. “Better that he should not see us watching.” “His looks augur us no good,” I answered. “It may be that the priests have decided against me.” “No. There is no audience until after sunset. You heard the command yesterday.” “The count may know beforehand.” “I don’t think the old priests would make a confidant of him. In their enmity lies our safety.” The doings in the square prevented me from asking further questions. A company of soldiers marched out from the building below us, having in their midst three men, naked almost, with their arms bound tightly behind them. They were followed by priests walking two and two. Each prisoner was bound between two stakes, his arms and legs outstretched. Before each man stood a soldier, a drawn sword in his hand, and behind stood the priests. The silence was intense; I could hear my own heart beat.

“Three prisoners! Your followers’” I whispered. Suddenly I remembered the words of the priest that tomorrow Khrym should be appeased. This Was what he meant. Great heavens, it was too horrible! -I opened my mouth to speak, and O’Ryan’s heavy hand was on my arm. A flourish of trumpets rang out; three swords like lightning strokes flashed in the sunlight; three bodies quivered for a moment and then hung motionless upon the stakes. .<■ My blood was boiling. Such cold blooded murder was appalling, sickening. and I longed for freedom to dash into the midst of those fiends and avenge the victims. O’Ryan did not gjve me time to be angry. “You’ll know that I was right when you’re able to think quietly.” he said. “You must forget that you have lived in the nineteenth century. After all. it was a quick death, merciful to many deaths I have heard of.”

“Is there no way out of this infernal country.” I said—“now. before it is too late?’ < “Steadily, Sir Knight. Yonder in Yadasara are your enemies. You’ll find even worse blackguards there.” “I dare swear that -Count Vasca reveled in this murderous exhibition.*’ T said after a pause. “Very likely.” “And the princess?’ I said questioningly,_ “She must rule according to her people’s Jaw,” said O’Ryan. “She must have known of it,” I went on, speaking rather to myself than to my companion. “Such a thing could not be possible without her knowing it What deviltry can lie at the heart of a beautiful woman!” “Aye, from Adam’s time even until now,” said O’Ryan. (To be continued.)

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Matching For a Dog

It Seemed die Only Way to Determine Its Ownership

By F. A. MITCHEL

A boy of seven on being told to write a story about a dog wrote it as follows: I love Shep, and Shep loves me. That was all there was of the composition. Shep was a collie dog, and a very Intelligent one. The only other case I have ever knotrn of equal love between a human being and a brute was between my pointer Rex and myself. I used Rex for hunting woodcock. How I did love that dog, and bow be did love me! Why in the world he couldn’t speak to me * I don’t know. He could talk with his eyes, though not with bis tongue. Many a conversation I have had with him. I speaking with my voice, he with his eyes. Rex was stolen from me, and I didn’t see him again for several years. One October I was hunting in another field. I bad possessed other dogs

“CALL HIM, PLEASE"

than Rex. but did not get attached to any of them, and often would hunt without one. This was the case with me on this autumn morning. As I stalked through a wood, kicking up dead leaves—a favorite amusement of mine—l beard some animal bounding toward me. and through the bushes between the trees came a dog. I recognized Rex at once. He ran to me, put his fore paws on my shoulder, and if ever a dog cried for joy he did. As for me, I put my arms around his neck, and I'm not sure but my eyes, too, were wet.

The next thing I was conscious of was looking at a very pretty girl with a big hat on her head, a pair of gauntlets on her hands and a whip such as ladies use when walking out with a dog. I lifted Rex’s paws from my shoulders and my hat from my head. There was fire in the girl’s eye which my deference did not allay. “What’s the matter with my dog?' she snapped, laying great stress on the word “my.” « “Yow dog?’ “Yes, my dog. Whose else should it be?’ “Mine.” What a laugh came out of that pretty throat! It wasn’t really a laugh, but an expression of anger, contempt, irony, derision. I confess I was a bit miffed by it. “You say the dog is yours,” I said, trying to speak pleasantly. “If he is yours he will follow his mistress. Call him, please.” “Jack! Come here. Jack! Do you hear me? Rex looked at her and wagged his tall, but did not move. “You don’t even know the dog’s name,” I said. Then, moving away. 1 called, “Come, Rex,” -and he bounded after me. But 1 noticed that he kept looking back at his mistress. After moving some twenty paces I stopped. If ever there was a mad girl that one was.

“How dare you try to steal my dog?” she snapped viciously. “Steal your dog? I don’t need to steal your dog. He knows his master and follows him.” “Jack! Come here.” She stamped her little foot in a vain attempt to enforce obedience. “Let me have your whip.” I said. ‘Til see if I can drive him back to you.” I took tbe whip from her hand and. giving the dog a "Cut. ordered him away from me. He got down on the ground and cringed and whined; but he wouldn’t leave me. The girl was beside herself with anger and disappointment. It was plain that she loved him as well as 1 did. “Pardon me.” I said to her. “1 should have explained to you that this dog once belonged to me. I lost him, and he now appears to be your property. He’s the nearest to a human being of any brute I ever knew.”

"He isn’t a brute; he’s a human animal.” “And should be treated as a human animat His affections should not be Interfered with.” “Nor my affections either.” “He should be permitted to dwell with the one be loves best.” This was a thrust that didn’t suit her. “You mean,” she said, “that he should live with the one who loves Him best” “Very brightly turned, but woman's logic—a conclusion based on no premises. It seems to me this is a triangular affair.” She opened her eyes, as if wondering what that could be. "You love the dog; I love the dog. The dog loves you and loves me. One leg of the triangle is missing.” "Which leg? What leg?” “The one between you and me. There is love between you and the dog and love between me and the dog, but none whatever between you and me.’’ “1 should think not!”

I repressed a smile. "Well,” 1 said “what are we going to do about it?’ “I bought Jack—Jack. I say. He is not Rex. as you call him. at all. I bought Jack for $lO. and he’s my dog.” “I didn't get the $10.” “That’s nothing to me.” “I’ll match you for him.” Now. while by matching her for the dog I meant to play at heads and tails with a coiri. she was so pretty, so feminine in her bursts of impotent anger, that in my heart I intended to convey the impression that I wouldn’t mind settling the ownership of the dog by a union of claimants. “What do you mean by matching for him?” she asked. I took two coins from my pocket and gave her one. laid the other covered on the back of my hand and asked her to show one side of the coin I had given her. She showed me “heads.” I uncovered my coin, and it was “tails.” “The dog is mine.” I said. Again she bristled. “You were to match me and failed.” I added. “Well. I declarer She could not evidently find words to express her horror and contempt at my taking such an advantage of her. She tossed the coin at me viciously, but I caught it “That method of deciding the matter between us doesn’t seem to please you.” “I should say not Besides, there’s nothing to decide. The dog belongs to me.” “But how are you to prevent his going home with me? You saw that 1 couldn’t drive him away.” This was a stumper. She made no reply. She was evidently trying to think of a way out of it. “You will tire yourself standing,” I said. “Won’t you be seated on this log?” “No, I thank you.” “Then you will pardon me for sitting while you stand. I’m very tired, and I see no way of coming to an agreement”

I sat down, took a pipe from my pocket and proceeded to fill it, asking if she would mind my smoking. She did not reply, and since silence g&es consent I lit the pipe. “I suppose." she said have to pay you for the dog.lt’s very mean of you, but”— / • "’Art.'. . “I don’t wish to sell him.” y ■ “Then what in the, world are we going to do ?’ ■; “I think we’d better have a conference.” \ “We seem to be having one, a very long and—disagreeable one.” “If you will sit down and talk reasonably 1 believe we can come to a satisfactory agreement” She looked a long while at the log and finally sat down on its other end. “Now,” I said, puffing a cloud, “what do you propose?’ “What do you propose?’ “I proposed a match, but you didn’t appear to like that way.” “It’s perfectly absurd.” “Nevertheless I’m quite resolved that it shall be settled by that plan.” She thought for some time while I read what she was thinking in the expression of her face. By matching she would have an equal chance of winning the dog. By refusing she would surely lose him, for he would go with me. I got out the coins again. “1 match you this time,” I said. “Best two in three.”

She sat looking straight ahead of her, not deigning to notice the coin I had laid out on the log for her. Glancing at it, 1 saw “heads” was up. I cried “tails!” Then, examining her coin and mine. I told her she had won on the first trial. This Induced her to take some interest in the proceedings. 1 took care that she should win again and told her the dog was her property. “But how am I to get him away from you?” she said in a more pleasant but puzzled tone. “I don’t see how you can,” I replied, “unless 1 go with you.” “That’s the plan," she said, much pleased. “You go with me, and I’ll chain him to his kenneL” “Are you sure you won’t chain me too?” “How ridiculous!" It certainly was ridiculous, for she had me chained already, but I wasn’t locked for a year afterward, when my matching plan, as I really intended it, was carried out and the dog passed into our united possession. AU of which was nice for the dog. nice for the girl and lastly delightful for me. I often twit my wife upon her stupidity in not having understood my double meaning on our first meeting, whereupon she says she saw through the whole thing. And Fm not quite sure but she did. -

Edward P. Honan, ATTORNEY AT LAW. t Law, Abstract*, Real Estate, Loan*. Will practice in all the court*. Offic* over Fendi*'* Fair. RENSSELAER. INDIANA. i. V. Irwin. AC. Irwis Irwin & Irwin, Law, Real Estate and Insurance 5 Per Cent Farm Loami. Office in Odd Fellow* Block. RENSSELAER. IND. I. O. O. F. Bldg. Phone 159 John A. Dunlap, LAWYER. Practice in all courts. Estates settled. Farm Loans. Collection department. Notary in the office. Rensselaer, Indiana.

Arthur H. Hopkins, Law. Loans and Real Estate Loans on farm and City property personal security and chattel mortgage Buy. sell and rent forms and city property. Farm and city tire insurance Attorneys for AMERICAN BUILDING LOAN AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION Office over Chicago Department Store RENSSELAER. IND. F. H. Hemphill, M. D. PHYSICIAN AND SUROBON. Special attention given to diseases of Women and low grade* of fever. Office in Williams block, opposite Court House. Formerly occupied by Dr. Hartsell. Phone. Office and Residence, 442.

S. Herbert Moore, H. D. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON. AU calls wIU receive prompt attention night or day. from my office over the Model Clothing store. Telephone No. 251. Rensselaer - - Indiana. E. C. English, Physician & Surgeon. Opposite the Jasper Saving* A Trust Company Bank. Office Phone 177. Residence Phone, 116. W. W. Merrill, M. D. Eclectic Physician and Burgeon. RENSSELAER, - INDIANA Chronic Diseases a Specialty.

Dr. F, A. Tuifler OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN. Graduate American Sohool of Osteopathy. Post Graduate American School of Osteopathy under the founder, Dr. A. T. Stilt Office Hours—9-12 a. m.. 1-5 p. m. Tuesdays and Fridays at Monticello , Ind. 1-2 Murray Building - Rensselaer, Ind. • H.X. Brown, > DENTIST. Office over Lars b’s drug store. . * »i ■■■■■■■■ .1 I.! .1 r ■-■.I—I *■ . Dr. J. H. Hansson VETERNARY SURGEON—Now at Rensselaer. Calls promptly answered. Office in Harr'a Bank Building. Phone 443.

Millions to Loan! We are prepared to take care or ail the Farm Loan business In thl» and adjoining counties at Lowest Rates and Best Terms, regardless of the “financial stringency." If you have a loan con - ing due or desire a new loan It wIH not ba necessary to pay the excessive rates demanded by our competitors. FIVE PER CENT. M taM - Ml Mice Irwin & Irwin Odd Fellows Bldg. Rensselaer. ♦*********>* ! eW>>»>>>H Mt. Ayr Mills Manufacturers and Dealers to Choice Corn Meal, Pure Buckwheat Flour, Feeds, Etc. Do Custom and Merchant work. Sawmill in connection. o Our products are for sale and guaranteed by— The G. E. Murray Co. Renssel’r T. J. Mallatt, Fair Oaks Perry Brown, Foresman A. F. Perrigo, Sigler Bros, and at Mill, Mt. Ayr “Our goods the (kind that make the cakes just like our mothers used to bake.” Your money back if not satisfactory. Yours for business, Huffty & Yeoman MT. AYR, IND. > .

jhI«W?|WMIU>OUSttHBWIU jiuUMV ((j Chicago to Northwest, Indianapolis, Chvclnnatl and the South, Lou Is vl lie and French Lick Spring*. RENSSELAER TIME TABLE. In Effect December, 1910. SOUTH BOUND. No.3l—Fast Mail (daily).... 4:45 a. m. No. s—Louisville Mail (daily).ll:o6 a wv No.37—Chicago to Cincinnati. 11:30 a. m. N 0.3 Mail (daily?. 1:58 p. m. No.39—Milk Accom (daily).. 5:58 p. m. No. 3 —Chicago to Louisville. .11:05 p. m. NORTH BOUND. No. 4—Mall (dai1y)......,.... 4:59 a. m No.4o—Mi.k Accom (daily).. 7:35 a. m. No.32—Fast Mail (daily)10:05 a. m. No.Bß—Cincinnati to Chicago. 2:58 p. as. No. 6 —Mail and Ex. (daily).. 3:15 p. m. No.3o—Cin. to Chi. Ves, Mail. 5:58 p. n*. No. 4 will stop at Rensselaer to let off passengers from points south of Monon, and take passengers for T Hammond and Chicago. Nos. 31 and 33 make direct conneetlons at Monon for Lafayette. W. H. BEAM, Agent, Rensselaer.

OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. CITY OFFICERS. Mayor g. f. Meyaca Marshal ..George Mustard ClerkCha*. Moriaa Treasurer R. D. Thompam Attorney Mose L-rpeW Civil EngineerL. C. Klosternmn €*. re Chlef J- J- Montgomery Fir* Warden..,....C. B. Stewart Councilman. I’t v y ard George Hopkina 2nd Ward.... Elsie Grow 3rd Ward.. Frank At Large..........C. J. Dean. A. G. Catt JUDICIAL. Circuit JudgeCharlo* W. Hanley Proaecuting Attorney Fred Longwall Terms of Court—Second Monday 1* February, April, September and November. Four week term*.

COUNTY OFFICERS. Clerk Charles C. Warner Sheriff W. I. Hoover Auditor James N. Leatherman. TreasurerJ. D. Allman Recorder.....j. W. Titans SurveyorW. F. Osborne CoronerW. J. Wricks BupL Public Schools Ernest Latnaea County Assessor John Q. Lewis Health Officer E. N. Loy COMMISSIONERS. Ist District John Pettet 2nd District Charles F. Stackhouse 3rd District... Charles T. Denhaas Comolssioners’ Court—First Monday of each month. . . COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. Trustees Township SVm. F01gar.......... 8ark1et Charles May .....Carpenter J. ,W. Selmer ..Gillam George Parker Hanging Grove (V. H. Wortley..... ...Jordan Tunis 5nip... ..... Keener John Bhlrer iiankakee Edward Parklson.... Markus George L. Parks... MUroy E. J. Lane Newton Isaac Kight Union 8. D. Clark .Wheatflaid Fred Karch Walker Ernest Lamson, Co. Supt ßensselaer E. C. English,.,. .Rensselaer James H. Green........., . .Remington Geo. O. Stembel Wheatfield Truant Officer..C. B. Stewart, Renmudaar TRUSTEES' CARDS, JORDAN TOWNSHIP. The undersigned trustee of Jordan Township attends to official business at his residence on the First and Third Wednesday of each month. Persona having business with tne will please govern themselves accordingly. Posloflice address, Rensselaer, Ind., R-R-4. W. H. WORTLEY, Trustee. NEWTON TOWNSHIP. The undersigned trustee of Newton township attends to official business at hi* residence on the First and Third Thursdays of each month. Persons having business with me will please govern themselves accordingly. Postoffiae addr«ss, Rensselaer, Ind., R-K-8. E. P. LANE. Trustee. UNION TOWNSHIP. The undersigned trustee of Union township attends to official business at his store in Fair Oaks on Fridays at each week. Persons having business with me will please govern themselves accordingly. Postofflce address, Fair Oaks. Indiana. ISAAC KIGHT.

Hi hi. ...DEALER IN lime M W ond {■l. MEM IND. Insurance wPiolecis AT REASONABLE RATES Your property in City, Town, Village or Farm, against Are, lightning or wind; your livestock against death or theft, and YOUR AUTOMOBILE against fire from any cause, theft or collision. Written on the cash, single note or installment plan. AU Losses Paid Promptly. Call ’Phone 2bß or write for a good policy in a good company. RAY D. THOMPSON Rensselaer, Ind.