The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-05

over, he'll be over his moods, too,
now you'll see."
Early start as they made, tie roads
were already lined with vehicles of
every description, all bound to the
same goal, and it required some
maneuvering to obtain a good posi-
ton on reaching the "Field" in the
long circle of carriages which hemmed
in the wide clearing.
As soon as they were settled, Fanny
began to look curiously about her.
At one side of the open space plat
form had been erected of rough pine
boards for "The Honorable, the High
Court of Judges" an arch of ever
greens spanned this, and a chair,
wreathed with garlands, stood near,
to serve as throne for the fortunate
fair one who should be chosen "Queen
of Love and Beauty" by the victori-
Gus contestant. Fanny could not
help little thrill as she noticed the
crown of roses suspended from the
arch, and remembered how Rolf had
wished to win it for her.
To the left of the platform stood
huge oak tree, from whose out
stretched arm hung, suspended by a
cord, three small metal rings. These
were to be secured, one at time, by
the knight, riding full tilt, on the
point of his lance, and while Fanny
was looking at them with little
amused smile, the blare Of trumpet
suddenly made itself heard, and the
"herald" rode slowly into the en-
closure. He paused an instant, then
doffing his be-ribboned cap, and low
ering his bright-hued pennon, he
bowed profoundly to the whole vast
assemblage, and when the answering
greeting had died away, he shouted
out, in stentorian tones the summons
to the first contestant:
Forward, Knight of the White Sea
! FoamW
Fanny's amusement deepened at
this bombastic announcement, but it
gave away presently to different
! feeling. In response to the summons
a stalwart youth, clad all in white, a
white visor over his face, and a tuft
of plumy white sea-grass in his cap.
rode gaily into the field, upon foam
white horse. He gathered his reins
tightly in his left hand, steadied his
long steel-tipped lance in the other,
and fixing his keen glance upon the
oak tree bough whence hung the
triple row of rings, he gave his eager
steed the word, and off they flashed,
followed by a thousand expectant
eyes. A moments breathless rush,
the lifting of lance, and then the
clink of metal upon metal was heard,
and, amid shouts of applause, back
rode the gallant knight, bearing the
trophy upon it's Furnished tip. Tossing
it lightly to his waiting squire, as he
reached the starting point, he wheeled
his horse and up they came flying
again in full career. Once more the
lance was poised, once more itreached
its aim, and burst of cheers went up
as the second ring was triumphantly
borneaway.
For yet the third time the gallant
horse ard rider came galloping for
ward. But this time Dame Fortune
proved tickle, and whether the
horse turned little or whether the
doughty arm trembled with excite
ment, the aim was missed; the point
of the lance rang against the ring but
left it still quivering in its place, and
the discounted knight rode gravely
back to his place to await second
trial later.
'Too badl" cried Fanny, full now
of interest and excitement; but the
rings were already in place again,
and the herald was shouting out an
other fantastic title:
Forward Black Knight of the
Sable Plumew
Forth galloped at the word coal
black horse, bearing a rider girt
about his waist with a long black
scarf, and wearing in his cap long
black heron feather. Off they went
at neck or nothing speed, but the
awkwardly poised lance failed to
reach it's goal.
mo go! try it again, SableP' half
jeered, half encouraged the rougher
element in the crowd, and the sad
colored knight, bracing himself for
another effort, came madly galloping
down the course again. His success
was no better than before, and a
third attempt resulted likewise in
ignominious failure. There was not
so much as a clink of steel; instead of