The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-02

For q moment my sudden and unex-
pected advent threw the three men into
some confusion but quickly recovering
from their surprise they rushed upon
me with drawn swords. Parrying
fierce blow which the foremost trooper
dealt at me, got under his guard and
passed my blade through his right
lung.
"A brave thrust!'
As the man fell, his two comrades
dropped back and had an instant to
look around. The maiden stood beside
me. watching the conflict with brightly
flashing eyes; her bosam heaved. her
whole form was alive with the keenest
excitement. Truly. 1t was no peasant
blood which ran in her. "A brave
thrust" she cried again.
"The Kingw l shouted, 'the King.
and confusion to his enemies.'
Somewhat taken back by the death
OF their comrade, the two remaining
men seemed in no great hurry to renew
the combat. But l placed my back to
the wall and stood on guard awaiting
thea onslaught and when they held
back taunted them for towards. l
looked again towards the maiden. and
she gave me a glance which set my
heart throbbing faster than had the
flashing swords. Presently. recovering
something of their lost courage, the two
men again approached, hut this time
with less fury and more method. The
trooper came first and engaged me.
while the sergeant remained standing
behind. ready to spit me under his COM
panion's arm. If opportunity should Of
fer. For some moments there was the
ring of steel against steel as We struck
and parried, neither being able to OBJ
tain the mastery. while ever and anon,
at a fiercer blow. bright sparks shot
forth from the meeting blades. After the
first few thrusts, indeed. l felt that
had the measure of my adversary, but
dared not devote to him the whole of
my attention. requiring to be continual
ly on my guard against subtle thrust
from the sword of the sergeant. At
length, with a swift and sudden upward
stroke. l deprived my opponent of his
weapon. 1t flew from his hand and fell
with clink and jangle upon the stone
floor.
II seemed, however, that the blow
was likely to cost me dear, for in strik
ing l stumbled over the body of the
fallen trooper. and in a trice the SER
geant was upon me with flashing sword.
! felt that my last moment had come
and made ready to die as became SER
thrust, however, a most astonishing
and somewhat ludicrous thing came to
pass: for l found most useful ally in
the brave lady who had displayed so
much interest in the struggle. She
seized the pot that was seething on the
fire, ard with a quick movement poured
the whole of the scalding contents into
the face of the sergeant.
He sprang back with a cry of rage
and pain, and when he turned around
again l had much ado to restrain my
mirth, for his face at that moment re-
sembled nothing so much as boiled
lobster. 1t seemed to be his purpose
70 wreak vengeance npon the lady who
had caused his discontinue. but had
had time to recover and when he turned
he found my sword point at his throat.
lnferring, maybe, from that circum-
stance that nothing to his advantage
was likely to result from a continued
stay, he turned on his heel and, fol-
lowed by his disarmed trooper, went
rapidly from the house. using as ne did
SO many ungodly words such as trow
he had never found in his prayer-book.
We waited in silence until the sound
of their horses hoofs had died away in
the distance. For myself | could even
then do nought but laugh at the
thought Of the grOtesque and most dis
figured figure which the burly SER
geant had cut. But the brave lady to
whom / owed 50 much was of a differ
ent humor. She plucked my sleeve and
looked into my face with such grave
and earnest appeal that at once I
checked my merriment.
''Sir, / pray you lose not a moment,
but depart forthwith, for fear me you
sergeant will most surely return"
NAY, fair lady" l answered, II de-
part not alone; for, II l mistake not,
this same fellow went off In worse
humor at thy greeting than at mine"
You spenk in riddles, sir; whittier
would you have me go?,
To your home, sweet lady"
And where may that be, most saga
cious sir?"
Nay, I know not; yet I am sure tits
not cottage such as this
The maiden stood pensive. while a
man might have slowly counted ten.
and when she looked up, there was a
change come over her. for she had laid
aside her bantering manner. and spoke
In voice of such exceeding softness
that 1t was like the music of some
sweet instrument most skillfully tuned
Most valiant gentleman" she said,
u will tell you who am. and whence
come, and why you find me here; for
you have borne a brave part tonight,
and II would Ill become me to deceive
one who has welded for my sake so
trusty sword. am the daughter OF
the Earl Of Morvale, whose purpose 1t
was to give me In marriage to certain
courtler Of the King. man had never
seen and who I did not doubt was de-
voted solely to puffs and frills. and such
things as are becoming only to women
that kind of man, indeed, which in my
Injustice / did at first conceive you
yourself to be. But since had no great
desire to be passed from hand to hand
whether ] would or no, like a piece of
merchandise and my father not ceasing
to press me, left his roof to seek that
Of my mothers sister, who lives on the