St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-11-01
KNIGHT OF WHITE ROSE.

none rendered him drawer service than
mysterious knight from the north, who
never smiled nor spoke, and whose device
was q white rose with one red leaf emilia
xoned on black ground. Three times in
this battle was the knights horse slain
under him, and he was sore wounded, but
wherever the fight was thickest there float
ed the black pennon on which was wrought
the stained white rose for the mysterious
stranger knew not fear. Bravely did be
rescue the kings standard from the Moors,
but In the last assault he fell dead from
the multitude of his wounds. And greatly
did the king grieve that he knew not the
name Of this gallant knight, nor wherefor
he carried the black pennon, for him would
he have delighted to honor"
So reads the ancient chronicle in Car
dota. 1t reveals no more. Thus does the
thick mantle of silence cover the throbblng
of two human hearts and this tale OF love
and sorrow.
In the time worn town OF Zaragoza,
through which the river Ebro winds its
sinuous way southeastward to the sea,
there once dwelt a gay and gallant knight.
Don Enrique de Lamarca called. His face
was good to look upon, his bearing courte-
GUS and his conduct brave and gallant at
all times.
His companions loved him faithfully, his
servants and vassals many times had
risked for him their lives, and he was OF
all men universally beloved as we'll as
feared His adventures were 80 bold and
daring that no man could withhold his ad-
Unfration, for no amount of danger could
prevent the don from seeking his amuse-
ment where he would. Nor did right and
wrong count for aught with him save so
far as concerned his honor, for this he held
In high esteem. Moreover, he counted 1t
unworthy Of the great family from which
he sprang to do aught to tarnish it.
Withal he was generous, and oft when
he had captured travellers with gold would
ne keep only their treasure and set them
free to continue their journey, whereupon
they kissed his hand and departed, prais-
ing his bounty and goodness that he had
not cut of their heads, for so he might
have done had it not been for his honor
and the love of God which dwelt in his
heart.
So also when Don Enrique captured a
maiden did he not keep her father in sus-
pense, but straightway sent messenger
to him, announcing the safety OF his
daughter, praising her beauty and naming
the sum of her ransom. So the fame OF
his chivalry and gallantry went abroad,
and not a few of the captured maidens
wished they had never been ransomed, for
they loved Don Enrique.
But never did his own heart respond to
any woman's. He loved adventure and
courted only danger. But for all his wild,
free life he did much good among the poor
with the money he earned by arms, for his
M he rich
lie paid most literally for the masses
which were said daily in bis honor. No
man in Zaragoza was more prayed for than
Don Enrique de Lamarca- So he was pros
pered of God.
Now, on one day he set forth with twelve
Of his knights to see what adventure they
could come upon, and as they journeyed
each man prayed for success. To all such
are the saints kind, for they had not
pricked far before they came upon an old
man with nine attendants and his daughter
and her women and much treasure. The
old man was Don Juan Ordonez, and very
rich. Therefore did DON Enrique scruple
not to take all he had, for his wealth at Ear
agoza was great; besides he was near the
end Of his life, and would need nothing
long. whereas Don Enrique was young
man who loved his life and used it we'll
Nevertheless did he much prefer to receive
the treasure as free gift from Don Juan
than to take it as booty, so he halted his
knights and rode forward alone.
His horse was of fine blood and stepped
daintily, and Don Enrique sat upon gilt
saddle. His spurs were Of gold and his
sword was mounted In silver, with precious
stones, which flashed in his hand. His hood
was of green silk embroidered in gold, SO
that be made most gallant picture. for
his face was strong and beautiful.
He saluted Don Juan and bowed himself
low In his saddle to the Dona Celestina,
whose beauty was greater than that OF any
woman he had seen, and as he looked he
knew that he loved her.
With this strange thought upon him he
called down the blessing Of God upon the
white hairs of Don Juan, and demanded
that he would deliver his goods unto him
peaceably, else he would be compelled &c
fall upon him and wrest them from him.
At this Don Juan, not knowing that II
was Don Enrique de Lamarca, else instant
Iy would he havedelivered upall his goods
even to his daughter, fell into great rage
and, thinking Don Enrique was alone, com
manded his men to fall upon him, which
they did with great fury.
But Don Enrique was swift to see, more
over was his horse one which had stooc
him in good stead before, so Don Enrique
received the nine lances and wheeled with
out damage.
But at the sound Of the charge did al
the friends of my don prick forward, ane
with them DON Enrique drove full at the
nine. and endorsed them and slew them
even to Don Juan.
When Dona Celestine saw that her fathel
and all his men were slain she came ant
knelt down before Don Enrique and bowet
her face and would have spoken. But thu
don raised her up and put her upon he
palfrey and placed the reins in her hands
Then he knelt at her feet and said:
"Madonna, speak, and whatever is tn.
wish will Don Enrique de Lamarca do unt'
thee"
But when she knew into whose hant
she was fallen the blood forsook her cheek
and she again would have disnounted, blu
the don prevented her and babe her say OF
and fear nothing.
So Dona Celestina made bold to ask tn
safety of her maidens at his hands, but sh
spoke not of herself
So was my don greatly pleased. He ros
nm and kissed the hem of her garment, an
turned himself toward the north an
blessed himself on the forehead and said:
81 am indeed favored of God and all th
saints that have seen 80 fair maid wit
90 true spirit. Now therefore do swea
here in the presence of this company to
faithful to her alone through all my Lift
Twill serve her and love her and lay dow
AZ need be, my life in her defense. And
90 be she will not look kindly upon m
will call no woman wife while i've"
Then hecommanded his knights to XII
her garment and swear to serve her faitl