The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-06-04
NO.10

lolG CuaG Tue success OF the ]0tSt was about
to be finally decided.
The knight appeared of medium size a
coat OF mail of very fine steel left complete
freedom Of motion to his limbs he wore
a tunic of green velvet under his gilt-em
bossed cuirass his shield bore no armo-
rial design, at it's top was placed silver
anchor and on his helmet waved green
plume. aa
He had had himself enrolled under the
name of the knight Of Hope.
The new champion was mounted on a
superb white steed which he handled with
Incompatible grace. Hesaluted the count
by lowering his lance, and, directing his
course towards the platform, touched the
shield of the knight of the white ermine.
The latter took from the hands of his
esquire new lance and announced that
he was ready for the contest.
The knight of Hope rode back to the
entrance to the lists and waited.
WHO. is this newcomers asked the
pilgrim of Triboulet.
II don't know him. This morning there
were only eight knights registered in the
| list of assailants F; have given you their
names. This one has just arrived he
has, it appears, declared his wish to re-
main incog1aito. That is the course taken
| by knights of adventure who are passed
masters in the art of combating. But,
attention the crown of the fair Laura
seems to me in danger" .te-I-
/ The trumpets gave the signal for at
tack; the two adversaries advanced with
the rapidity of lightning the lanees SHY
cred into pieces and the horses were thrown
on their launches, but the dexterity of
| the knights sustained them. New lances
were brought and the combatants, having
resumed their first positions, began anew
the struggle. ~.
| They burst upon each other with the
same impetuoSity The knight of the
white ermine dealt so heavy blow on the
cuirsss of his adversary as to almost I'M
settle him, but the latter, throwing himself
back, aimed at his antagonist blow which
felled him to the earth with his helmet
broken in many pieces.
The vanquished night extricated himself
quickly though slightly wounded, but the
combat was stopped.
| 'Bravo = shouted Triboulet.
Don't you like the knight of the white
ermine ~ asked the stranger
mo, he is a coxcomb nobody will be
sorry for his defeat.
| ''And the fair Laura . H
.'Who knows? She may not appear too
unlucky.''
| The knight of Hope rode along the lists
and ordered the heralds to announce his
| intention to combat all corners.
The knight of St. George presented
| himself after an equal pass, he rolled in
the dust. The knight of st. John took
up the challenge; his resistance was long
and sllillful, but the lance of the knight of
Hope knocked off his visor. and his saddle
girth having broken, he lost his seat.
No other presented himself the knight
of Hope was proclaimed victor in the
to ornament.
| The marshals conducted him to the
stand of honor and urged him to allow his
helmet to be removed he refused, saying
that he had made a VOW not to raise his
| visor before having accomplished a solemn
engagement. Itwas the custom to respect
these vows of knights the marshals, de-
spite their curiosity to know the victor,
did not insist.
Ives the Magnificent, arose, took the
crown in his hands and said
| Honor to you, valiant knight [ am
happy to offer you the prize Of valor.
| The lady designated by you shall be pro-
claimed queen of beauty and will place the
crown on your head.''
The knight lowered his lance to receive
| it, saluted the count and still mounted on
his steed whose noble bearing seemed to
share the glory Of his rider, rode slowly
around the lists looking attentively at the
galleries reserved for the ladies.
| The crowd awaited, with bated breath,
beautiful as it had been to witness the
| triumph OF the bravest. The hearts of
the women were beating violently some
affected Indifference, others lavished on
the victor attractive smiles.
He stopped finally before the stand we
have described he lowered his lance be-
fore Laura de 1illac and laid the crown at
her feet.
The music struck up joyously and the
shouts Of the crowd saluted the queen of
Beauty.
The Count decended from his steed,
went to that Of the young girl to offer his
hand to conduct her to the trone prepared
| in her honor.
| Laura de Tilac, with charmingmodesty
assembled to the place whittier the choice
of the victor called her a smile, not OF
pride, but of sweet satisfaction enlivened
her face, She had experienced a strange
emotion on the entrance Of the knight in
to the lists something said to her that if
he won the prize she would be queen was
it because in passing before her stand he
turned for an instant towards her, or had
a presentment revealed to her that the
Knight of Hope was friend?
The victor dismounted, assembled the
steps of the stand amid the applause of the
crowd, knelt before Laura and waited.
She placed the crown on the helmet of
the unknown, saying in a voice full of
emotion Receive from me, noble knight,
the prize of the yalor you have displayed
this day.
He removed the gauntlet from his right
hand, lifted up the lower part of his visor,
took Laura's hand, kissed it respectfully
and arose without uttering word.
The music struck up again and, while
the brilliant cortege slowly left the aren a,
the excited crowd shouted Hail Queen
Of Beauty Hail Knight of Hope"
Cro be continued.)
To Get Rid of Misery.
What is the use of suffering from dys-