Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1911 — The Kinight of the Silver star [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Kinight of the Silver star

A B©emec® ©IT

By PERCY BREBNER

CHAPTER XIII. *TT» HE princess’ face told me I nothing that night. She received me very graciously, JieaMJ would not let me kneel to her. But there was something in her manner which made me feel that the hopes which had grown up in my heart so quickly that day were luxuriant weeds, fit only to be cut down. She would not let me talk much about what had happened in the city. “We are in perilo'us times,” she said. “But you must be my prisoner still. You are >t yet able to brave dangers. Here you are safe. Get strong again quickly, Sir Verrall, for I have need of yoi ” And so she dismissed me. Princess Daria had a garden. The only entrance to it was from her suit of apartments. High walls surrounded it, and there was no fear of prying eyes. Here I was privileged to walk or lie at full length in the shade of some tree, filling my lungs with

new health at every breath. Here Jasar aud 1 talked, and‘the princess joined us, staying only a little while at first, but afterward longer. She talked -of plans for the future. My friends were so few that it was impossible for me to stand unless something could be devised against my enemies. Truth to tell, my friends and enemies troubled me little just then. I was too happy to fear the future, for the princess became each day less a princess and more a woman. I lived in the present. ' I told them something of my country, of London, of railroads and telegraphs and of many things which in Drussenland had never been heard of. “You tell of strange things, Sir Verrall," Jasar said. “But because the people in Drussenland are superstitious and legend loving you must not think that we are all ready to believe tales so far beyond all possibility." “I speak the truth. There are even more marvelous things that I htfve not told you of.” “Her highness loves not superstition and has no fear of disasters which the priests prophesy. We know that no miracle brought you into our land and that to account for your coming you used a legend to save yourself. Why seek to deceive us who are your friends?” “Yes, friends.” said the princess softly. I was Inclined to be angry, but a moment's reflection told me bow impossible my tales must seem to them. “Indeed, there is no deceit," 1 an swered. “Things are as I have , r toid you in my country. Besides, my com ing was somewhat of a miracle, and it was not I who claimed to be the expected knight, remember. It was O'Ryau who suggested it. and the priests believed it.” Then I told them how I came into Drussenland. beginning with the tale that poor Mustapha told that night “Tell me the history of Drussenland,” I said. s Jasar told It to me. hurrying through the legendary part, dilating fully on that which was known to be true. The Drussenlanders were the descendants of a great army gathered from all the nations of the world—so Jasar said—which was led into a country beyond the hills to fight for the true religion. Year after year this army, constantly recruited, fought with varying success, and at last came peace. Some returned home again; some remained in the land of their warfare, took wives of ithe daughters of the land, and wandered forth to find a city to dwell in. |So they had come to Drussenland, and, las the years passed, became a great people. This was the legendary part (which Jasar said might have some (truth in it To me it seemed cletir. These people were descended from the survivors

of the last crusade. Ever and again the princess would lead me to consider my present position. No ancient history could help me in that “The days pass swiftly,” she said. “You are almost strong now. The priests clamor for action, and the people cry with them. What are we to do?” , '1 ■' “Jasar suggested a way out of the difficulty,” I “My death would relieve your highness of much trouble.” • “It is no time to talk folly. It is time to act,” was ail she said to me. The princess told me that she needed knights with strong arms and strong courage. She said the priests were loyal toiler apart from my cause. After a long conversation 1 suggested to her that I would attend the next council and tell the members that her enemies should be defeated. I volunteered to go to Yadasara as a spy. The princess was apprehensive of such a scheme, but I soon relieved her fears. I told her I hoped to place her on the throne, and when she asked me what I expected as a rewhrd I answered her in a language that love dictated. She understood. Then she asked my name. When I told her it was, Clinton Verrall it pleased her. “It is the name of the man who worships you,” I whispered, and I took her hand and, bending low, kissed it passionately. I dared not touch her lips. Just then Jasar came in and told the princess that the count was asking for her. She gave me her hand find said: “Be brave for my sake tomorrow. For my sake return from Yadasara” Then she left me. The council Was fixed for the afternoon. It was an unusual time, but the princess had so ordered it The moment I entered the hall I felt equal to any emergency. Danger hung In the air, and my courage rose to meet it " I mounted the steps and took my place as near to the princess’ chair as possible. I endeavored to hold my own firmly but courteously, neither making myself .too prominent nor seeking to escape observation. I was not a prisoner about to plead for mercy, but a man prepared to burl defiance in the teeth of a crowd Incensed against me. Vasca stood beside the chair and to him I bowed. Then I turned to the chief of the priests and bowed to him lower still. Purposely, I think, the princess did not keep the council waiting. I had

taken my place only a few moments when the curtains were drawn, and she stepped to her seat She shot one swift glance at me—so swift that I doubt if any other noticed It She bowed proudly as a roar of voices welcomed her, but she looked pale and anxious. “It has ever been our custom in Drussenland to let even a prisoner speak an answer to his accusers.” It was a relief to hear her voice break the silence. She spoke softly, yet so clearly that she .must have been heard even in the farthest corner. “In these days, however, It has pleased certain of our subjects to speak bitterly of one who is not a prisoner—one who came to us and was welcomed by us as a knight long expected in our land. The judgment that he was what he has claimed to be rested not with us. Wisdom greater than ours deglared his coming to be propitious to our state, and in arms he has borne himself gallantly, as many a valiant warrior can here attest Yet some among us have spoken bitterly of him, and more—have, in their hearts, condemned him without a hearing. That is indeed injustice. “But worse offense has been committed. In our own palace, at our very door, was this knight attacked while he guarded our person. If the assassin’s knife were raised against us, then truly we and all our loyal subjects owe this knight thanks for his protection of us. If, as some affirm, the attack wasniade upon the knight, then are there same among us whom it would be well to stamp out, since for lack of courage they seek to murder and are no true Drussenlanders. We know that the hand w-hich held the knife was not the hand of him who devised the crime. The tool paid dearly for his part, and so in good time shall they who planned and who, to screen themselves from our anger, silenced forever ’the guards who could have betrayed them. Now we are

here not to Judge, nor of our wish is this council called together. It is by the wish of the knight you have accused; not all of you. but some. Only vaguely has be beard the charges brought against him. and. since there can be no steady answer to vague rumor, it is our will that you who have aught to say speak and that the knight shall answer you. You who listen." and she swept her arm round to include every upturned face in the hall—“you who listen give a patient bear Ing, We seek not to guide you. but be honest men. not fools of passion to be led by every one who tries to move you. Be Drussenlandere. not wretches making our street corners dangerous, men ready to creep in the dark and stab from behind. I have gloried in that I am your princess, gloried in the brave hearts I rule, gloried in your deeds, have been proud to cry to the whole world that I am a princess in Drussenland, but show me that you are cravens, men afraid to meet their enemy face to face, and I will fling this golden circle of my sovereignty among you. Make whom you will your ruler. I should think it shame to call such men my subjects.” For a moment there was silence: then a murmur ran through the hall and then a great roat. She had touched them. Dexterously she had pared the way for me. “You, our priests, have somewhat against the knight.” she said when the shouting had ceased, “and you. our loyal knights. Speak honestly, and you, Sir Verrall. answer honestly, so Justice shall be done.” She looked first at the chief of the priests, then at Count Vasca and then at me. The priest began to speak In a rather singsong tone, as though be were reciting a lesson he bad committed to memory.

“The expected knight was to do many things in Drussenland,” he said. “He was to bring peace and plenty into it That he should be mighty in achievement I believed, but with that I have nothing to do. My office hinders me from wielding a sword, and, though my heart may leap at the sight of brave deeds, I can have no part in them. My office is to watch over the sacred things of this land, to punish those who bring our great religion into disrepute, giving occasion to those of lesser Intellect to revile and turn the God we worship into a jest. “Your highness has broken a law, and therefore your people have broken a law. Think you peace and plenty shall be poured into the laps of those who sin? I rejoiced at the knight’s coming, so is my sorrow keener that he has made his mission of none effect. For him punishment awaits at the band of him who sent him. Our duty is not to delay his going. If It be so willed that as he came miraculously so miraculously can he be taken from us, then it shall be. But death is the only means we mortals know of by which he can return. Therefore by death should we seek pardon for ourselves. I would my words could take a happier tone. If my eyes are blinded, if I have not read our laws aright, then power will be granted to the knight to increase my wisdom. I wish not to condemn him unheard. It is not I that condemn him —it is our religion which does so.” “For my own part. I had rather remain silent.” said Count Vasca. “It may seem envious in me to seek to condemn a knight who in tournament has met me honestly and in the field has fought valiantly. Indeed. I speak only for the many as chief of the knights who attend your highness.” “That we know. Sir Vasca.” said the princess, looking fixedly at him. She did qot take her eyes from him while he spoke. Perhaps he saw distrust in them. for. after beginning so humbly, he went on bitterly enough: “The priest has spoken of the laws. With them I have nothing to do. but. since the priests and I have been often at variance, in that we are agreed in this matter proves the justice of our complaint. The knight was to accomplish two things with which I am concerned —to place your highness on the throne in Yadasara and to find a treasure that should bring plenty to our land. I blame not that these things are not yet accomplished, but that nothing has been done. We are at present a divided country, and whichever side finds the treasure wins

' also the throne in Yadasara. These foreign dogs the king has brought into this land would leave him tomorrow were they paid for doing so. and there are hundreds of men in this city who would march to Yadasara tomorrow were the treasure tn the kirig’s bands. The time is ripe to win or to lose, for success or rebellion. They e.r|iected much of Sir Verrail’s coming They believe they are doomed to disappoint*; ment. therefore they cry out. Though, as a true Drussentander. 1 have no pity for those who attacked the knight when be stood your highness’ sentinel. still I affirm that be has only himself to blame. If he is the expected knight let him fulfill his mission: if not let him answer for the lie whi"h made us give him welcome." A murmur of approbation sounded through the halt Then all eyes turned toward me. I found courage in the look that was in the princess’ eyes as she turned to me.

“I am.accused of breaking a law or of causing your highness to break it,” I said. “It Is true. That I succeeded, though with difficulty, as you, who heard me make my petition, know well, is the greatest good I have accomplished since I have been in Drussenland. I will tell you why. Your priest said if he had judged amiss I should have power to increase his wisdom. That power I have. 1 wisn him power to understand, and not only the priest, but all you who hear me. From whence I came you do not know. You have a legend which yon look to be fulfilled, and at my coming you welcomed me. Think you fulfillment comes exactly as men expect? The priests have wisdom, and they prophesy, but I came into Drussenland from a'more enlightened country, where the wisdom of your priests would be but as the idle prattling of a child. This law of yours that prisoners of war shall be slain wos framed when men knew little of him they worshiped. This he bids me tell you—that to kill men as you would kill your prisoners is murder. In that the priests prophesy disaster to this land because that law is broken they err most grievously. I prophesy peace for this land if you let mercy rule you rather than vengeance. I fear nothing of what you can do to me. Death! What is it? A moment in time that sends me to a life of rest. But 1 have a mission, as every true man has, and if in living I cannot fulfill it it shall be fulfilled in dying. That is my answer to your priests. They err from ignorance. I have been given power to speak wisdoln to them. Let them beware how they shut their ears to the voice that speaks the truth.

“Count Vasca’s accusation is of a different kind. I have not yet placed your princess on the throne in Yadasara. I have not yet found the treasure bidden in this land. But he has made a graver accusation, not against me. but against you. What men are they who hold loyalty so lightly, who care so little who reigns over them, who grumble so loudly and who would so readily march to Yadasara to fight against her highness? Who are they? Speak! In her highness’ name, I promise pardon to any man who confesses to disloyalty. No answer? What! Are we so strangely divided that in this ball only Joyal subjects find a place? Are all the murmurera without? Remember, the count accused you, not L 1 have fought beside some of you. I have witnessed many of you do gallantly. I have more faith in you than the count has.”

And then, turning quickly to the princess, I added: “These are honest men. your highness, but they feared to contradict your kinsman.” The rafters rang again. I had become an orator to some purpose. “You see. Count Vasca, you were mistaken. Why, when the enemy fled across the river the other day were we not led to follow them? You are a soldier. You know why. The time was not ripe. It would have been to court defeat We knew not at what point the city was least defended. Neither is the time ripe for the finding of the treasure, but it ripens.” “Any knight could speak so. We expect deeds, not words, from Sir Verrail,” he answered. “You have forced me to words. Mark you not”—and I spoke to those in the hall—“mark you not how the two things go together? To set the princess on the throne in Yadasara and to find a treasure. At the sword’s point must one be accomplished. Is it not the sword’s point which shall unlock the hiding place of the other? Your treasure lies hidden where only knightly deeds can win it Your treasure is valueless until the foreigner is driven from the land. Where thiuk you a treasure would most likely lie in Drussenlahd? Where but in the greatest stronghold the land contains—in the fortress of Yadasara?” ■ „ Again the rafters rang. The knights shouted as good knights will shout at the promise of conflict Even the priests forgot to scowl and listened. “Here are swords in plenty. Lead us to victory!" So the knights shouted, and I knew that the greatest danger was over. “I will do more,” I said. “Three days hence 1 will go to Yadasara. I will enter the city and spy out its weakness—that is. if her highness gives me leave.” The count’s lip curled. “You will not return.” he said. “I shall. Count Vasca. 1 shall return to lead loyal men to victory.” I turned to face the now excited crowd. I spread out my arms, and I cried to them: “Sir knight?, loyal men of Drussenland. have I answered my accusers? Shout your trust in me, or, if there is no trust, see here I stand unarmed, draw your weapons and slay me.” I bad played a bold game. It had served me well. 1 had won. (To be continued.)

“I TOOK HER HAND AND KISSED IT PASSIONATELY.”

“BE HONEST MEN, NOT FOOLS OF PASSION.”