Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1911 — The Knight of the Silver Star [ARTICLE]

The Knight of the Silver Star

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By PERCY BREBNER

chapter xvni. SE held out his arm for me to lean upon. Doubtless I looked a Sorry figure, earth stained and in rags; but, almost brusquely I fear, I pushed his arm aside. This was no time to give way to fatigue or despair. It was the time to act and to act quickly. “My watch is over,” said the knight "I waited only for you. You look spent Sir VerralL I will send for food and wine.” One of the soldiers left us; the other led us into the princess' apartments. He knocked out his torch and remained in the anteroom. The knight and I passed into the chamber I knew so well. “Tell me all,” I entreated. “You had promised to go in three days, and when it was found that you had departed secretly reaction came in favor of the priests and of Vasca. At the street corners men talked treachery. To Sir Walen and others whom she trusted the princess told the reason and the manner of your going. It was wise to be secret doubtless, but it gave great occasion to your enemies. The princess threatened to treat those who murmured with the greatest severity. No one could •tay her. You were in danger, she •aid, and that was an all sufficient reason for her going. "Did Vasca persuade her to set out for Yadasara?” “At first, no.” "Ah! The time was not ripe.” “She liked not his advice,” he went on. “I remember her words, for she spoke angrily: ‘lt would not be unpleasant to you. count, if the knight should never ride into our gates again. You were ever his enemy!’ He bore her resentment welL It was a bard accusation. Early yesterday the forces moved toward Yadasara. We tried to prevent her, fearing treachery. Count Vasca is in command.”

“She ,made her peace with him?” "Ratfier, Sir Verrail, he made bls peace with her. Two nights ago a man of Yadasara brought captive into the camp declared that yon were in great danger, that it was known you were a spy and that you were likely to meet a quick reckoning—might even already have done so.” “A foul plot,” I said between my teeth. “I marked the princess as he spoke,” he went on. “Her face had no color In it, smd the red of her lips turned gray. A light grew in her eyes that I had never seen there before nor in the eyes of any woman, a light as that along the edge of a sword drawn for vengeance—there was no mercy in it When she spoke it was another voice than hers, hard as a man’s in passion.” “And Vasca?” "He applauded her prompt action. •Now that we know the danger to him who is risking his life for Drussenland what private rivalry there has been between us is past is nothing, is forgotten. With your highness I Cry, “To arms!’” The princess gave him her band, and the color came back into her cheek. So the count made his peace. All night the town rang with preparation. Men. aye. and women, too. shouted jubilantly: ‘To arms! On toward Yadasara!' The day dawned leaden gray, with a swish of fine rain, yet a gleam of sunlight shone as the princess came from the palace. She rode, a warrior in complete steel. 40$ a ,shout rang loud and high at her coming. I warrant the right of hej turned many a traitor into a loyal Subject.” “Heaven grant it so! But there is the foulest treachery afoot. Sir Knight That captive was no captive, but a messenger proclaiming to the count that the time was ripe.” “We feared treachery. Sir Verrail, but we were powerless except to follow the princess. Of those who swore to protect her 1 alone am here. It was Jasar who suggested that I should wait for you.” "Who is with you that you can trust?” "A dozen men. Here are food and wine; you need them.” said the knight. “Tell me how deep is the treachery.” “So deep that death grips bands with loyalty. In Yadasara there are many for the count In Yadasara Lady Aldrida attempted my life. Ten days ago at least I escaped from the city. You may judge what truth there was in the messenger the count brought to the princess. “Let me change these rags for armor and we will go,” I cried, draining the Wine. It put new strength In me. “Every man who wields a loyal sword is necessary to the princess now.” I said. “Have your men by the gates in half an hour.” So at midnight we rode from the gates. Strange that after running away from Yadasara 1 should so eagerly ride toward it again. It was toward sundown that we found the camp, pitched in a place surrounded by thick woods, and it was fortunate that our coming happened upon a point where friends were or we might have been intentionally mistaken for the enemy.

I thought it well that my presence in the camp should not be generally known until I had seen the princess. So. entering a tent, 1 sent to ask Jasar and Walen to come to me. They would know better than 1 could who was to be trusted and who not I told Walen Vasca was a villain, but be did not believe me. (Turning to Jasar, I asked when I could see the princess alone. “When you, will. She will not leave her tent again; tonight” j “Then 1 will come now.” Walen left us, and his manner troubled me. To him more than to any other knight I looked for support, and ” if he had not actually failed me he had clearly shown that he was not ready to follow me blindfold. We went silently through the camp. We passed Vasca’s tent and heard the sound of feasting within. It struck me that there was a lack of discipline throughout, and my anxiety for the future would have been greater had not the thought that I was. to see Daria again thrown all other thoughts into the corners of my brain. The tent was well guarded. The I priest went in and in a few moments j returned. I entered alone. Daria had risen to greet me. As the curtain of the tent fell behind me she seemed undecided whether to come j to the arms ready to be held out to her—whether to be all the woman or still something of the princess. “Daria.”

I doubt not there was supplication in my tone, in my attitude, as 1 opened my arms to her. She crept into them with a little sigh which was sufficient answer to all my desires, and In a long silence, while her lips met mine, I felt rewarded for all I had come through. “You are safe and with me again.” she said presently. “With you to defend you.” I answered. “But happiness must not make me forgetful. My darling, peril is at our door.” "I fear nothing—now.” she answered. And I kissed her for the pause she made before the last word. “Do you remember why you are here?” I asked. “I had almost forgotten.” “You are on your way to Yadasara to rescue me.” "And now you have come. Yet it does not appear wonderful. It seems natural that you should come to me. In my deepest anxiety I have felt that your life and mine were one. Ah, Clinton, in your country women may not speak their hearts so. Forgive me if my confession sounds strange to you, but love has come to me once and for all time; there seems no sin in telling it” With her hand in mine I told her all, not exaggerating, yet not making too light of my perils, for love glowed brighter in her eyes as I told the story. She loved me more for what I had endured and grasped my hand tightly as I recounted Lady Aldrida’s attempt upon my life, the fight on the stairs, the fall from the city walls and the struggle with the dead man in the river. I finished and waited for her to speak. “You would have me believe my kinsman. Count Vasca, the greatest of villains?’ she said. "I have told you what is said of him in Yadasara. common talk over every flagon of wine. 1 believe it was he who sent Lady Aldrida to the king.” “He cannot be so great a traitor.” “Think you be would have devised this expedition to save me? Have 1 a greater enemy in Drussenland than Count Vasca? He loves you. As the woman he loves, you are \far more than as the princess he pays homage to. Once he has betrayed you, you are a princess no longer. He believes he could make terms with the woman.”

“It is unlike you. Clinton, to make a man out so vile as this." “Let me learn that I have wronged him and on my knees 1 will ask his pardon.” 1 returned. “Why. Daria, look at the place where you are encamped tonight! Would any leader choose such a position?” “Indeed, he gave me many reasons for doing so.” “Speaking lies. Daria.” “Hush. Clinton, he is my kinsman.” “He is your worst enemy—a treacherous friend. Why should he so urge your coming? Is the thick of battle a safe place for you?’ “I command. Clinton. That should put double courage into the men.” “Into loyal men. Your camp is full of men who are not loyal.” “I will not believe that” “You must believe it Daria. Would that our safety allowed me to fling a challenge to the count to prove his honesty. I cannot; the treachery is too widespread, and. with insidious words, he has lulled your suspicions even as he has those of some of your most loyal knights. That messenger who came to you came with a He upon his lips. Sir Walen almost quarreled with me when I accused the count and you. my dear one. doubt me.” “No, Clinton, do not say that; but surely, you may misjudge the count Since you arp here the reason for this expedition is gone, but your presence is reason enough why I cannot return. There is no happiness behind us. Only by conquest can I hope to make the Drussenlanders respect you. Courage, my knight The blood leaps too warmly through my veins for me to fear. We shall not fail. In Yadasara did you find the key of Drussenland?’ “No.” “We may have to «ook ft together ” “Would that we could start the quest tonight” “We have not failed vet.” «he answered. “I will send lor Sir Walen at once.” She gave her orders sharply. It was wonderful bow easily she became the

princess. "If there is danger we will at least be ready for it” she said. Sir Walen came, and Jasar was also admitted to the conference at my suggestion. ~, • "You know what Sir Verrail fears." she said to Walen when be had named the companies he-could trust “We think his anxiety for our safety outruns his judgment but if it is so.it is a fault well founded in loyalty. We must be prepared. Sir Walen. you will at once see that these companies are drawn together They will form one wing of our advancing army, which you and Sir Verrail will command. It will be for you to protect our person. See to our command at once.” Sir Walen bowed and left the tent. “Jasar. send a messenger to the count and bid him come to us. Stay. Can he know that S.r Verrall has returned ?” “No. your highness.” “Then send to him. Say nothing of Sir Verrail.” “What are you going to do T’ I asked when Jasar bad left us. “I am taking your advice and preparing for danger. Are yon not satisfied?” “It would be well to treat the count carefully.” “I wish to give him my Instructions, that is all. You shall hear them. Go in here.” She lifted the canvas that covered a small apartment of the tent, and I went in.

“You are not to show yourself. Remember. I command." and then she laughed. “But I love too.” Vasca came not too quickly upon his bidding, and. drawing the canvas a little aside, I could see him. "Sir Vasca. we like not the place of this camp." , “It is well hidden from the enemy.” “And too inclosed for action should the enemy find it,” she returned promptly. “I have already given my reasons for choosing it” “And after thinking over them we find them bad ones. We have a cunning enemy to deal with. When we march we will change the disposal of our forces somewhat, else we may fall into a trap in these woods which surround us. You will place certain companies in the center as a main body and throw out two wings to protect us on either hand. You will hold command of the main body and place the knight you deem most fitted in command of the right wing. We have already instructed Sir Walen to gather certain companies to form the left wing.” “I would that your highness had first consulted with me.” “We have our own wishes to consult, count. Our presence here means that we are in command.” “Who commands the left wing?” he asked. “Sir Walen and Sir Verrail." “Sir Verrall!” “Did you not know he had returned tonight? His knowledge will be of great moment to us.” “1 was not told of his coming. His escape makes this expedition useless, your highness.” “Before us lies the capital, count. There is no turning back." “I rejoice to hear you say that,” be answered? The scoundrel! I could well believe him. “You understand how the troops will move?" He bowed. “Then strike the camp. It is to be done silently. We march tonight.”

(To be continued.) There is more Catarrh-in-this section of the country than all other diseases put together, and until the last few years was supposed to be incurable. For a great many years doctors pronounced it a local disease and prescribed local remedies, and by constantly failing to cure it with local treatment pronounced it incurable. Science has proven catarrh to be a constitutional disease and therefore requires constitutional treatent. Hall’s Catarrh Cure, manufactured by F, J. Cheney & Co. Toledo, Ohio, is the only constitutional cure on the market. It is taken internally in doses from 10 drops to a teaspoonful. It acts directly on the blood and mueorjs surfaces of the system. They offer one hundred dollars for any case it fails to cure. Send for circulars and testimonials. Address: F. J. CHENEY & CO., Toledo, Ohio. Sold by druggists, 75c. Take Hall’s Family Pills for constipation.