The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-23


guished the light. Lucas sauntered earelessy
toward the chicken-h house and let down the
trap-door and as the Growing, cackling, noisy
company poured forth. Trudy reioiced in not
having attracted his attention, and quickly en-
tered the house.
AT this moment she heard loud knock at
the door, and recognizing her brothers voice,
fastened to open it. Bathazar, with his COM
panions, whose meal-white clothes were pro-
fusely spattered with blood. his AK in his hand,
and flushed with victory, ran against her, lie
threw away his murderous weapon, and en-
braced his sister heartily. She turned, slowly,
and freed herself disgusted at the sight of
strange blood, though upon the knights armor
she had not been affected by it. Balthazar did
not notice her hesitation, but kissed her
hastily, passionately, as he had never done be-
fore. She cried out vigorously in opposition.
He released her, and embraced Katherine, who
came flying down the winding stairs to welcome
him.
Victory, brotherI Deliverer! Avenger!"
she joyfully shouted, remembering that at the
attack on the Chalk Mountains a knight had
slain her husband. Her father now appeared
on the threshold of the sitting-room, stretching
wide his arms to receive his son, and to bless
the victor.
Blessed be thy return to thy home and
hearth which thou has defended against the
knayery of an invasion by night. Thou hast
conquered the murderous disturbers of the
peace, and ended their goddess existence"
Balthazar bowed his naughty head under his
fathers right hand; then he followed him into
the apartment. Katherine found some scratches
to bind up, but Gesche placed the steaming
soup upon the table, with great slices of black
bread, and thoughts of scars aud bandages were
laid aside, that all might sit down together in
JOY and thankfulness. Trudy shuddered as
she saw them take their places, despatched
with blood Poor Floran handed his plate to
Gesche The old man asked blessing, after
which Balthazar related the adventures of the
night, and described the course of the battle.
When they had finished eating Balthazar said :
" Let us have some wine from the best cask
Sister Before we 20 to rest after the labors of
the night and while we tell our story, let US
have good drink"
Katherine went to the nail upon which the
key usually hung, but it was missing.
Trudy had it when she went for wine for
our wounded Florian. Give it to me, child"
Gertrude drew it forth, but asked to be al
lowed to bring the wine.
THAT is not thy business" replied her SIS
ter harshly, and she FASTENED out with the
covered jug. Anguish filed the heart of the
girl; if he should by any sound betray him.
self, Katherine certainly would not spare him.
The men were all talking together, and she
left the apartment unmolested. Heavy hearted
and trembling, feeling as if stone were tied
to each foot, she dragged herslf along the floor
after her sister.
Katherine came quickly back carrying the
full pitcher. Gertrude reached to a side shelf
for goblet and turned with her sister to join
the rest. The danger was over. He had kept
himself quiet, and the revengeful Katherine
had not discovered him.
Balthazar now begins his narration his we'll
filled goblet before him. Full of satisfaction
over the victory, be thus commenced: " When
we had weakened the enemy so that we could
drive him before US, recognized the colors and
ornaments of Heinz of the Mountain. 1t seemed
to me that my strength was doubled. / must
strike down our hated oppressor but it seemed
hardly possible.
At one time his helmet would be very near
me; at another far away. The wild, confused
mass surged and pressed and pushed in mex
tricable confusion. Not far from our house
| perceived him again close to me, and / fetched
him blow that would have split his head
open had not my ak glanced aside upon his
armor and struck his left arm / saw an iron
band loosened and blood streamed all over him.
j must have wounded him, for -"
Balthazar had reached this point in his story,
when Trudy, overcome by so many horrors,
| suddenly realized the awful truth. 1t is Heinz
! the wild Heinz-the foe and destroyer of her
family, whom she is cOncealing! and with cry
she sank back in her chair. She would have
fallen to the floor had not Hans, the apprentice,
who sat beside her, caught her and supported
her.
go to bed, poor child" said her father.
This is but dismal feast for a girls ears that
| thy brother is serving up"
"Or 60 and find something to do in the
house." advised Katherine. That is the
proper place for thee"
Trudy slipped a little wine which her sister
pushed toward her, and begged to be allowed
to remain, longing to hear all the details of her
| brothers interview with the dreadful being to
whom she had promised hospitality and pro-
| lection.
Balthazar nodded to her, and continued
81 was so certain of having struck him
that / threw myself upon him in the dense
darkness at the entrance to our side-street
| ] wrestled andfought and felt dagger scratch
my side. | threw my antagonist to the
! ground. The battle ragged around US.
was his master. / struck him once more
and dragged him to the light that fell
| from our own windows, that / might be per-
! fectly certain that it was Heinz who expired
| under my blows. | tore off his helmet and
! gray hair, and strange, wrinkled, pale coun-
! tenance met my astonished gaze. In fury /
| threw the old man aside, nerved myself anew
! with fresh scorn and started again to overtake
/ the crowd, from which this delay had sepa-
rated me. kept sharp lookout for the enc
my, but he had vanished. We pressed farther
/ he hDIBUJ5 Hdu dSocuDDIcu III Glc DFOdN wal
! as if to form some new and powerful opposition.
| At that moment well-armed crowd of citizens
came by st. Johns Church to help US, and fell
! upon the enemy's flank. Just then cry came
i up from the people:
"St Ursula sends Heavenly hosts to punish
| the bIasphemers who insult her day !"
The rapacious invaders, overcome by fright
! threw themselves into the narrow streets and
rushed for the 0utworks bathed in blood for we
felled them in all directions and many were
slain. Very few can have escaped. Can it be
| possible that he is one Of these? We have not
found him among the dead and wounded. II
was not light enough to make a thorough search
| but as soon as day breaks l shall hurry out t.
see how things are going and TO look for his
dead body"
He asked Hans to open the shutters faint
light stole into the room, and Trudy looked
shudderingly at the pale, fierce countenances Of
| the men, who seemed to her completely trans
formed, and as if they had never belonged
| there.
Balthazar started up, saying that he would g
and wash and dress himself; and the others fol
lowed him. Trudy wandered from place tt
place, restless and miserable. She met Hans
who sneaked quietly in through the doorway
leading from the little street. She saw Ike,
in his hand and an underlined fear in his face
Timidly glancing at her. he seemed afraid, bu
he smiled grimly at her as she stood still, say
ing:
Don't betray me, Trudy, or the master will
scold. Yesterday / brought the new beer int
the cellar throuOh the little street the hell ra