The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-15
ROSAMOND'S PRAYER.

VI bnelE uug6 SWOTuS To VIII U0G lOTu 5
land and purge it thoroughly from the
Moslem race. But they were men of hot
tempers in those days, and very soon II
came to pass that the Count de Prison
qnarreled with his companions in arms,
and deserting the cause he had Joined,
retired hastily to his feudal castle. He
strengthened the garrison, vjctualed the
stores and prepared for siege. Now
and again he rode forth with his retain
ers, and made grasp on the lands of one
or other of the men with whom he had
quarreled, firing village or capturing a
drove of beeves. BY this conduct the
resentment of the whole country was
aroused.
| The Emperor, hearing of his misdeeds,
threatened condign punishment. The
King OF France declared he would march
an army and entirely destroy the rebel
and all who belonged to him. Count
Eustache, once Il comrade but now a
bitter enemy of Frison, arrived and set
tied down before the castle walls, chal-
lenging him to single combat.
| A trumpeter rang out the challenge,
and the men of the army Of Count
Eustache shouted defiance. What need
to relate every detail of the prepara-
tons? The lists were formed, and each
knight taking his lance of elm, faced
round with plates Of steel, spurrcd for
ward. Eustache was throvn with vio-
lence. Prison, leaping from his saddle
and with dagger at the throat of the
PROSTATE man, called, "Yield thee-rcs-
cue or no rescue" 81 yield to thee"
Then forth there came a company Of
men-at-arms, and carried the knight Il
prisoner into the, courtyard. Frison, re-
mounting his horse, followed, and the
heavy portcullis fell behind him.
The army of Count Eustaehc received
within an hour an order from their lord
to withdraw, to place themselves under
the command of his brother-in-law, and
keep the Crusaders vow.
While duel had been fought, far away
from the scenes of combat, in a quiet
and lonely part of the castle, girl, very
beautiful, with golden hair, and clothed
in virgin white, had been praying. She
was the child Of Count Prison; her name
was Rosamond, and it was her hand that
had fastened the white rose in his cas-
quet. She was very dear to him. He
had loved her mother with all the force
of his fiery nature; her death had mad
dened him; he had rallied at heaven, had
refused to believe that she was really
dead, thrown himself beside the corpse
rained on its pale, still face a shower of
hot tears; then had been sullen, morose
vindictive, his hand against every man
and woman, except this child of his, and
ne loved hes with passionate Tenderness
A distant shout fell on the ear of the
knecling girl; she rose from her knees and
listened. Presently she heard footstep.
sprang to her door and threw her white
arms around her fathers neck.
"GOd has heard me!'
Count FriSon, cXultant ut his triumph
over Count Eustache, became more AFRO
giant and daring. He tore summons
from the Emperor to appear before him
into shreds, and cast it into the fire;
drove out the bearers with contumely,
averring that he took them to be spies,
and no imperial messengers, filter to
mate with turnspits than men of gentle
birth.
This conduct brought matters to a cri.
sis A French army, under the COM
mand of Count Rcigny, brothcr-in-
law of Count Eustachc, was ordered to
advance on the lawless Prison, and lay
siege to his castle. The Count saw his
danger. He felt that the indignation Of
both Germany and France was aroused
against him, and that successful resist
ance was very doubtful. Holding coun-
Gil with his chief men, he dsdainfuly
rejected all the advice they rendered;
} dismissed them with contempt, saving he
would consult with his 'little oracle" a
pet name he had given his daughter.
He found her alone and told her all
his trouble. Counsel mc-Sweet one
a word of thine is worth thousand OF
those of the prating varIets who feed al
my cost and betray my trust"
'If | may speak, dear father, promise
to hear me patiently, for I shall try thy
patience"
'I promise on the word of a true
) knight--by my word, my spurs, and m,
} love for you"
''First, then, release Count Eustache
and then keep your VOW. It were
shame your good sword should rest il
its scabbard crimsoncd with Christian
blood while the Lords sepulcher is de
filed"
GLOW can it serve me to release
! Erstachc!"
"You will make him your friend an,
your pcacemaker.'
He rose up, kissed her, and left til,
, room. He shut himself up alone for twt
hours OF more, and then sought his pris
oner.
Count Errstache, thou art free
man."
"At what ransom"' asked the Count?
) "Your friendship"
Eustachc regarded him for momcn
, in astonishment, and then caught hi
: hand and said:
aft is thine, in life and deathw
"Your horse, your arms are prepared
an humble escort will attend. Eat brcac
with me before you depart"
There was high feasting in the hal
that day. ..