Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1911 — The Knight of the Silver Star [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Knight of the Silver Star

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By PERCY BREBNER

CHAPTER XX. HHET might have given me leave, for Vasea had not too many friends, but the count gave them no time to answer. In a moment he was upon me, and his first blow spilt my harness at file shoulder. I knew that the wound was deep, for afterward it troubled me sorely; but, then, I hardly felt It My whole ambition was to kill Vasca. That done it mattered not what happened. Even Darla was forgotten for the time. It was an unequal struggle. He was mounted and fresh, I on foot and weary. As he tried to ride me down I caught the horse’s bridle and attempted to throw him back upon bis

haunches. The count was too good a horseman to let me succeed in this, however. He knew his advantage and was not going to throw it away by having to meet me on foot. “The time is nearing its end.” he laughed. “I told you that I always crushed my enemies.” He dealt me a blow which staggered me as he spoke. The time was nearing its end. What could I do? He followed me up as I staggered back, prepared to strike again. I made a feint, then dodged his blow and sprang up at him, my foot upon his foot In the stirrup. My arms were round him. His horse plunged, and in an instant the count and I were on the ground. Now we were both swordless and helmetless. My fingers gripped his throat “The time has come!” I hissed as, still gripping his throat with one hand, I struck his head twice, thrice, with all my strength with the other. I should have filled him. My fingers would never have relaxed until they had gripped life out of him, but It was not to be. Men rushed In to separate us. I was dragged from my victim and a few moments later was lying on my back, my arms bound tomy side.

The count was not dead, but he was unconscious. They took him up. and ft space W9S cleared for them to carry him to some spot where he could be attended to. And it was through thw space that I saw the last incident of that terrible day—the end of the fight The rising ground was before me, and iis gallant company of defenders lay still upon the sides of it As I looked the enemies’ hands were laid upon the princess, and only one friend was beside her—Jasar. Foes surrounded her and dragged her from her horse. Seeing that all was priest might have considered that bis life was still valuable to his mistress, that he might help her in her captivity. But the hands were laid roughly upon her, and that hurt him. His sword cqme down upon the nearest of her enemies, and for a minute he was dealing out death around him. They would not have killed a priest, possibly, but Jasar, save in raiment, was a priest no longer. As a warrior there was no quarter for him, and I saw him fall dead at the feet of the woman he bad loved and served so well. It was the last thing I saw—the last episode of that day—for a blackness came between my eyes and the blue sky. and for me the day ended. , When 1 recovered consciousness we were within sight of Tadasara. I was lying upon a rough litter, which four men carried carefully, and the swinging motion was not unpleasant. My arms were no longer bound, and the wound in my shoulder, which throbbed considerably, had been carefully bandaged up. I raised my head to look about me. “You’re better, then?” said a man, coming tp the side of the litter. “Yes." It’s hot, and I’m thirsty. May a prisoner drink?” “Why, yes. We’ve been doing our best to keep you alive since yesterday." “Since yesterday! A day and a night

passed?” He nodded. “You know meP* “You were in my company when you were in the king’s guard.” “I remember. It is almost like being among friends.” “You’ll hardly find it so yonder.” and he waved his hand toward the city. —“I suppose not. TeU me, where is the princess?" “In front.” “Well—safe?” , “She is well cared for; have no feir of that You are both too precious to die for the want of a little attention." “Could I speak to her?” “No.” he answered sharply. “Not for the sake of old comradeship?” “No; I cannot do it I have no ill will toward you. I admire a worthy foe man, and if I can do anything for yon yonrself I will, but I cannot do what yon ask with regard to the princess.” “And Connt Vasca P’ I asked after a pause. “Much as you are, getting better.” “That is bad news. I had hoped that the debt was paid.” “You did your best.” he returned. “Though we be Jailer and prisoner, we have something in common, at any rate,” I laughed. “What is thatP' “We both regret that I did not succeed.” We crossed the river by the bridge of boats, and it was evident that many of the citizens had come ont to meet us, for there was much shouting. My former comrade came to my side again.

“A conqueror could not command more interest than you," he said. “That is poor consolation.” “I think I would be a great traitor rather than nothing," he answered. “I am not even a great traitor,” I said.''" “I would not say so if I were you. It Is easier to confess and have done with it Better to die quickly than slowly in the fortress yonder. If I dared do it I would plunge my dagger into you now, and I should be doing you a kindness.” “You think so, friend, but I had rather live. I have been in worse straits than this. I may live to be in worse again.” “You will, and then you may find death too long in coming.” “Death and I seem to be old friends; we have walked so long together,” I answered. “You are a brave man, but a fool!” he said. With help I walked across the palace yard between ranks of warriors and then was face to face with the king. “So you come again to Yadasara," he said, a smile upon his lips. I did not answer. My eyes were fixed on Daria, who stood a few yards from nie, guarded by soldiers. “And you bring a welcome companion this time We thank you. You made many enemies by your escape, but it has served us better than if you had failed. There’s little strength in you now. We must see that that is restored a little before we punish you for your treachery. It would be a poor recompense to see such a man die like a woman.”

“Your highness shall not see that,” I said. “We have heard many a strong man boast as much,” he answered. “We have good arguments against the boast To the fortress with him, but treat him gently. He shall have a chance of proving his boast. You, madame, too, are weak, for all you stand so bravely. You shall have rest and gentle treatment for awhile. Then we shall find means to pay you for the lives of our subjects which your rebellion has caused. To the fortress with them both.”

I was placed sh the litter again and carried up to the fortress. They were very gentle with me. a'hd. knowing what was in store for me, some of them may have pitied me. The guard of the fortress ■ received us, and with a considerable amount of formality I was handed over to my new jailers. I hardly noticed them, for my eyes were fixed upon a figure sitting in a porch within the gateway. The man sat limply, looked as though he were in pain, and I saw that his arm was in a rough sling. Hope was not dead. I had a friend in the fortress. “O’Ryan!” I cried, a tone of joy in my voice doubtless. He looked at me, but did not move. There was an exasperating chuckle at my ear, and I turned to face the Spaniard, Costa. He was fatter and greasier than ever, and he was tricked out in bright armor. “You’ll find that friendship deadr” he said. , , \ I glanced at O’Ryan. He had risen from his seat and looked so different from what I had known him that I concluded that the wound I had given him in that desperate fight upon the stairs must have been deeper than I had thought “I will come and make you comfortable presently when I have attended to your princess,” Costa said. “Truly this fortress is honored now.” He laughed as the heavy door closed upon me. Presently he returned, followed by two men carrying rugs, with which they proceeded to make me a not uncomfortable bed in one corner. Costa sat down on a stool and remained silent until he dismissed them. “You have a good couch," he said directly we were alone. “You will have good food and drink. You are well lodged.” “As an animal fattening fora fair,” I answered.

n* taugoeo. “That la a good description." “My position amuses youP’ “Not yours so much ss the woman’s.” “Do you mean the princess?" “Call her so if you will,” he answered. "Carrying herself like a queen—in armor, too; nothing of the miserable prisoner about her. Ah, it amusea me greatly.” “Is she lodged in the fortress P* I asked as unconcernedly as possible “Yes, my friend. As chief of the fortress I have the honor to entertain yon both. She is now clothed as a woman, and as a woman— Ah, she is better, much better. She has beauty enough to make fools of some men.” “Take care you are not one of them.” I said. “You are too good a warning,” he answered. “See what the love of a woman has brought you to.” “Lover I laughed. “Is that laid to my charge too?” “Do you say you are not in love with thta woman who calls herself a princess? Count Vasca spoke differently.” “Am I to be judged by what Count Vasca says of me?” “There are other matters, many other matters, that I need not tell yon of.” “And the punishmentP* “In good time. It will come.” “When I am strong enough to bear itr He nodded. “The machinery and torture, then death and an exit from Yadasara that way.” I pointed to the corner of the cell where the locked flagstone was. “Yes,” he said, rising, “but it may be easier than you think—it depends.” “Upon what?’ “The executioners.” “And the princess?” I asked after R pause. He shrugged his sboujflers. “It is always difficult™ prophesy the fate of a beautiful woman,” he answered. “But for you\my friend, let me advise —make friends'yvith the executioners.” / (To be continued.) y

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 dis--ease 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 mucous 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.

"I TOLD YOU THAT I ALWAYS CRUSHED MY ENEMIES.”