Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1911 — The Kinght of the Silver Star [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Kinght of the Silver Star

A R©£S£E©3 of j&rssssosiSfiiid By mmCY EIIW Copyright, 1907. by R- F. Fenno 4k Co

CHAPTER XXL I IxCEPT that for many hoars a I I day I sat in a gloomy twinej light, I was well treated. I 00 was well fed and was allowed to walk for a certain time each day upon the ramparts—well guarded, of course. I had hoped to catch a glimpse of Daria during my daily constitutional, bat the hope was not fulfilled. I think it is possible that Costa might have so arranged matters as to grant me this request had I asked him. but 1 dared not do so. Her beauty might save her. My love might condemn her. So I led Costa to believe that she was no more to me than any other woman.

In my lonely hours I was not idle. I examined my cell, its floors and its walls and the locked trap In the corner. The walls and the floor were hopeless. Such solid masonry would yield but slowly to a company of men with all appliances at hand. But the trap attracted me It was a way out I knew, even If it were only dead men who took it. I wonder how often and how long I have stood gazing at the trap, fascinated by the thoughts it gave rise to.

I lost count of time. Days and nights passed, and I knew that I had been a prisoner for a long while. An imaginative man might have hoped that he bad been forgotten. I knew my enemies too well to think so, and Costa was constantly advising me regarding the future. He seemed to enjoy sitting in my cell, and If his conversation was not of the most consoling kind it helped to pass some weary hours. I have never been able to make up my mind what the Spaniard’s true feelings toward me were, whether he had some sort of respect for me or whether it delighted him to speak of the grewsome tortures which were in store for me.

He came one evening late—later than was his wont—and with him came O’Ryan. My quondam friend had evidently recovered, for he w Hiked Vigorously, and his arm looked capable ■f wielding a good swvd aigain. “It is tomorrow,” add (fosta, fixing the torch in the ring in the walL “What is tomorrow?" ' , . “ “Tour trial. We are Just in Yadaaara. We give a man a trial—generally. It seems to me a useless waste of time. It comes to the same thing in the end.” I thought this quite probable. “Shall I be allowed to speak?” I asked. “OIC yes, but it would be well to have a care What you say, eh, captain?” Thus directly appealed to, O'Ryan, who had stood silently with folded arms, burst out laughing “I might say too much to please that rascally companion of yours, is that it?” I asked Costa, nodding contemptuously toward O’Ryan. “Rascal I” exclaimed the Irishthan excitedly. “Steady.” Costa interposed. “You wfll doubtless have the pleasure of witnessing your enemy's discomfiture, but it is not for yon to administer the punishment” The city turned out to see me on the morrow when I was taken from

the fortress to the palace. The king was surrounded by his court and was talking and laughing with those about Mm. A callous assembly it was to try a man for his life! At a little distance from me stood Daria, very pale and very beautiful. Had my courage faltered for a moment the sight of her, firm, resolute and fearieaa, would hare filled me with new strength. To her I bowed; to the king 1 made no obeisance. Near the king sat Count Yasca and next to the count lady Aldrida. The count was pale—perhaps by reason of his recent wounds Lady Aldrida looked as if the

proceedings thoroughly amused her. How difficult some Christian laws are to obey! Hbw could I help hating this woman and this man? Thai the smiles went from the king’s face, and those around him were silent ‘ ■ •i . “Madame,” he said, turning to Darla, “there is little need for us to tell yon of what you are accused. In Drusseni»nd there cannot be two rulers. It has pleased yon to set yourself up against your rightful king and with the help of traitors to their king and their country to defy us toe this long season, bringing war where peace should be. At your door lie in heaps the men who have fallen in defense of their country, and their blood cries to, us to be avenged. Are there any words that can say aught In your defense? If so. speak them. This court shall judge you, not we, and truly your fair fsee should find many a one to deal out lenient judgment” “I am no traitor.”

The words came firm and clear, no suspicion of trembling In ber voice. She was as mncb a queen now as when I bad first seen her, surrounded by ber knights. “I stand here princess of Drussenland.” she said. “The fortune of war places me here standing, while the real traitor remains seated in my presence. Ton, who call yourself the king, are no king, nor are you established here in Yadasara by the will of true Drussenlanders. You are king only by the help of these paid foreigners, whose very names and country are unknown to you. For the Judgment of your court I care nothing." "We shall find means to subdue that bold spirit within you, mad a me.” said the king. "To kill it, not to subdue it.” she answered. “So have many spoken. Words come easily. But let us argue a little, madame. In your accusations be just We are not all foreigners. Am I not a Drussenlander?” “One I should have delighted to honor had you been true to your country and your sovereign,” was the answer. I expected to see the king become savage, but he astonished me by laughing heartily. There was something of our own Charles IL about this monarch. If an answer were ready enough he could appreciate it even if it were against himself. , “See What we have lost By being a king we forego the happiness of being honored by a queen. What will you say then, madame. of Count Vasca? Surely he is a true Drussenlander since he is your kinsman?”

"There are no words fitting. Yon and your assumption of majesty I can understand. Yon have fought me face to face, a determined struggle in which you have woo. It was treachery, Indeed, but it was treachery open to the sun. If treachery can be honest yours was. But for the man who hides his treachery behind a smile, who works in secret to destroy those he professes to honor; for the false friend, the coward who dare not be an open enemy, there are no words. Gather all the scoundrels there are in Drassenland together, take from each one the meanest trait he has, and of these traits build yon np a man. Even then shall yon have a man I would rather claim kindred with than with Count Vasca.” -

I “It seems you are a dangerous friend,” said the king; turning to him.

"Your majesty has not found me so.”

“True. You see, madame, it is well sometimes to use similar weapons to those used by an adversary. If yoqr enemy sends a spy we, too, must do the* same or our Ignorance may lose us the day. Count Yasca has received harsh language from your lips. What have you to say to your knight there? True, he was faitbfnl to you, bnt be just. He is a spy. By a lie he entered Yadasara. He betrayed his friend, one Captain O'Ryan, who is with os to bear witness against him. More—be attempted to kill him. What harsh words have yon for that man there?”

The king’s finger, pointed at me, caused all eyes to turn toward me; Daria’s also. “Gather the best in Drnssenland,” she said slowly. “Take what is bravest, truest, from them all and make me a man. A great Drussenlander indeed would he be, yet head and shoulders over him would rise Sir Verrall—Clinton Verrall—my knight of the Sliver Star.” For some moments there was silence, and no voice was raised to sneer at the character which had been given me. “You have a powerful advocate, Sir Knight,” said the king presently, “but there is another side to the question which condemns yon deeply.” “I am not worthy either of such high praise, your majesty, or such deep condemnation.” “You are modest as well as valiant, it would seem.” “I lay claim to being an honest gentleman. The world holds no higher distinction.”

“Do honest men lie?” he asked severely. “You did, else had you not entered Yadasara the first time.” ‘Tardon, your highness. It was Captain O’Ryan who gave certain accounts of me, which satisfied you. In truth, my coming to the city was in the nature of a flight from my enemies.” I was not disposed to spare O’Ryan. Why should I be? “A valiant knight does not flee from his enemies,” said the king "I fled from a would be assassin— Count Yasca.” “Truly, count, you have grievous charges laid against you.” “Who would believe the word of a spy?” said the count savagely. “That is well spoken. Sir Knight. A spy! What say you to that?” - . "Even what your majesty said just now. It is wise to handle similar weapons to those used by an enemy.

In the princess' camp there was not one spy, bat s hundred. Ever since I inane to Drassenland Count Vases and his friends have been working to betray the princess She had not been hoe now to hear your judgment had not that scoundrel turned against her in the day of battle, sealing a long season of treachery by a crime that any man most revolt at that your majesty must hate.” “Yon are here to defend yourself. Sir Knight not to accuse our friends."

“I have no defense,” I answered. "I have fought for the princess I serve. I have done what a man can do, and my conscience acquits me But I have a word for your majesty, if you will give me leave.” “Are'words from such a man worth your majesty’s attention ?' said Vasca. “When this man came to Drassenland he made great promises. He spoke boastfully that he would place the princess on the throne 1b Tadasara. that he would find the treasure which. It is said, la hidden In this land. This man has accused me of treachery, bat my deepest sin has been in throwing in my lot with wiser men rather than be carried away by the boastful promises of a deceiver.”

"That is not all your sin. Count Vasca,” I said. “Your majesty has accepted the frendship of a man who, while be fawns upon you, is plotting your ruin.” The count laughed contemptuously. “The proof,” said the king, rising from his chair. “Captain O’Ryan can give it yon.** “The count spoke wisely when be said that your words were not worth our attention. We have heard that story from Captain O’Ryan’s lips. The captain has confessed that be was In error. His zeal for our safety and some personal dislike to the count, fostered by yourself, Bir Knight, made him hasty in his judgment Their hands have met in confession and forgiveness. Is this all you have to say?” "One man’s word against another’s is poor security for truth,” I answered. "I would that I could prove the truth of my words at the sword’s point with the count with O’Ryan or any other man who doubts me.”

“Enough, enough!” cried the king. ‘Take him back to the fortress. At our pleasure he shall take back his lies and perchance tell some secret of this treasure. There are hard questioners in the fortress, as yon wiil find.” ‘They must be hard indeed to wring from me one good word for the villain beside your majesty.”

‘They have drawn out a confession of love for a man’s worst enemy before now,” said the king. “Death puts an end to all questions,*' I answered. “In my country men feat not death If met in an honest cause. I claim no pltv, I cry for flo mercy, yet I would ask one favor of your majesty.” “What favor?” : “Let me pay the penalty for myself and for this lady.” Daria made one step toward the king. “I pray you not to listen to the knight” “Truly, madame, ’ his own sins are heavy enongb to answer for. It seems, count that your rival as well as your accuser stands before ns.” “Not my rival, your majesty,” and Vasca laid his hand on Aldrida’s arm. “We have no favors to grant” said the king. ‘Take them to the fortress.

We will appoint a day for the questioning. They shall both die. So valiant a knight and so fair a lady are too dangerous to live In Drussenland.” Darla made an effort to come to me, but the soldiers stopped her, and she was led from the halL I heard Lady Aldrida laugh a merry, musical peal as 1 was taken away. I almost wished that I had killed her that night in the city. CTo be continued.)

“I AM NO TRAITOR.”

“TAKE THEM TO THE FORTRESS. THEY SHALL BOTH DIE.”