Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-04-04
The White-Plumed knight.

won the lOSc Va VIC Sos"uSAA"A xsASho
Faulconbridee, who was called the
fairest lady in all England, in those old
feudal times.
Only one man in the land bore i'll
will toward Sir Reginald, and he was
Richard Langley, dark, naughty, and
av;l.minded knight, who, once sutton
for the fair hand of Lady Blanche, was
re;ected for Sir Reginald De Bracy.
Rent with the fercest pangs Of jealousy,
he had vowed a terrible vengeance
ooainst the favored suitor, and the
forthcoming tournament seemed to af-
cord n good chance for the fulfillment
of this vow.
At this tournament, which was to be
held in a few days, one OF the actions
was to be a grand tilt between two par
ties of knights, each being twelve in
number. The peculiar feature of this
WAS that each knight was to preserve
strict incognito till the end of the match,
all coat. of arms being vigorously ex.
cluded. and the two parties to be dis.
tinouished from each other solely by
the color of their plumes those Of one
side being red, and the others white.
And this arrangement suggested to the
mind of Richard Langley plan which
If pursued would rid him forever of his
hated rival, Reginald De Bracy.
The knights for each side had already
been chosen, both himself and his rival
belonging to the white-plumed knights,
and it had also come to his knowledge
that certain knight of the opposite
side was held absent by sickness.
! lind so it came to pass that, on the
3ncxning of the tournament, word was
Z spread that the missing knight, Herbert
De Vaux, had recovered and arrived at
the grounds, ready for the fight. A
powerful-looking man, his face con-
cealed by his armor, stood in the door
way of De Vaux's tent, and was sup
posed by everybody to be that individ-
nal himself. But this man was in real.
ity q burly ruffian, tool Of Langley's,
with instructions to do his utmost to put
an end t, the life of De Bracy in the fight
about to ensue.
He was in reality more skillful with
his weapons than any of the knights
there assembled, but prevented by his
low rank from taking part in any
knlghtly exercise.
As the time for the tournament ap.
preached, the knights were assembled
in large Enclosure within the lists,
De Bracy being among them, little
dreaming of the deep-laid plot being
planned against him. Standing little
apart from the company were the two
plotters.
"Note closely the white plume worn
by De Bracy," said Langley, in low
tone. "Seest thou not, Bertram,
small particle of red in the upper part ?
Much risk have 1 run in placing it
there, and remember, when the combat
comes, fail not in striking to the death
the knight thus marked"
Gay, master, trust me for that" Ber-
tram replied, and the pair separated.
Meanwhile Sir Reginald, unsuspi-
cioN1of danger, was chatting gaily with
n his Ietrothed, who was leaning down
from the pavilion above.
"Take good care OF thyself, Regi-
nald,' she was saying; "for if you en-
counter any danger, you may be assured
that there will be at least one pale face
among the spectators"
Then she laughed gayly, but sudden
ly checked herself. Her keen eye had
seen the red particle in her lovers
plume, and with quick wit she at once
OWNED that it was placed there as o
distinguishing mark. Little suspect
ing the terrible mission that trifle was
destined to fulfill, she reached down
her shapely hand and managed to de-
fa0h ~ frnrN 4hA xSI,e ,xufAl I.asvnr
observed. Then strange fancy came
into her mind-a wish to foil the de-
signs of the unknown person who had
thus marked her lover--and bending
over she fastened it firmly to the plume
OF another knight standing Just below
her, under pretense of curling the stran-
gers plume more gracefully.
But suddenly the trumpet sounded,
and each knight betook himself to his
station, ready for the coming conflict.
Then another trumpet blast burst forth,
causing the hearts OF all to beat fast
with anticipation, and with slow and
majestic tread the combatants moved
into the lists. each at an opposite end.
Splendidly mounted, clad in complete
armor, aud with sea of waving plumes
""o'o eiclI hctttto, thcy uhOIuou u truly
magnificent spectacle. And then o
third blast. A laundering of hoofs, q
clashiag Of steel, and the two plumed
lines were merged in one. It was glo-
rious fight, and the hearts OF the spec
tators throbbed madly with excitement
as they beheld. Bravely each gallant
kniglE held his part, and the contest
seeml tlalmost equal. In the thickest
OF the fight was the low-born ruffian,
Bertram, overwhelming the white
plumed knights, one after another, with
his ponderous blows, and all the time
searching eagerly for his prey--a knight
with red spot on his plume.
At last he saw the one bearing this
mark, and, forcing his way through the
tumult, was soon by his side. One
terrific blow of his battle-ax, and the
doomed knight, with o crushed skull,
lay bleeding on the Sod.
With thrill OF exultation he felt
that he had fulfilled his promise, and
done to death the noble young knight,
De Bracy. But hardly had he deliv.
cred the blow, when a white-plumed
I knight swept up behind him, and with