Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-02
AFTER NASE BY.
BY DAVID wEcHsLER.
Copyright, 1895. by Irving Bacheller.)
CONTINUED from Saturdays Star.)


Continued from Saturdays Star)
II.
For a moment my sudden and unexpect-
ed advent threw the three men Into some
confusion, but quickly recovering from
their surprise they rushed upon me with
drawn swords. Parrying a fierce blow
which the foremost trooper dealt at me, I
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
bosom heaved, her whole form was alive
with the keenest excitement. Truly. 1t was
no peasant blood which ran in her. "A
brave thrustr' she cried again.
1.-The king" shouted, 1.-The king, and
confusion to his enemies!
Somewhat taken aback by the death Of
their comrade, the two remaining men
seemed in no great hurry to renew the
combat But placed my back to the wall
and stood on guard awaiting their on
slaught. and when they held back tainted
them fer towards. I looked again to-
ward the maiden, and she gave me glance
which set my heart a throbbing faster
than had the flashing swords. Presently,
recovering something of their lost courage,
the two men again approached but 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 companion's
arm If opportunity should offer. For some
moments there was the ring of steel against
steel as we struck and parted, neither be-
Ing able to obtain the mastery. while ever
and anon. at a fiercer blow, bright sparks
shot forth from the meeting blades After
the first few thrusts, indeed. felt that I
had the measure of my adversary. but
dared not devote to him the whole of my
attention, requiring to be continually on
my guard against subtle thrust from the
sword of the sergeant. At length, with
swift and sudden upward stroke, deprived
my opponent of his weapon. 1t flew from
his hand and fell with clink and a jangle
upon the stone floor.
1t seemed, however that the blow was
likely to cost ME dear, for in striking
stumbled over the body of the fallen troop
er. and In trice the sergeant was upon me
with flashing sword. l felt that my last
as became a servant of the king. Instead
OF death thrust, however, most aston
ishing and somewhat iudicrous 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 see'hing on the fire, and with
a quick movement poured the whole of the
scalding contents into the fact of the SER
geant.
He sprang back with cry of rage and
pain and when he turned around again 1
had much ado to restrain my mrth. for
his face al that moment resembled nothing
SO much as boiled lobster. 1t seemed to
be his purpose to wreak vengeance upon
the lady who had caused his discontinue.
but 1 had had time to recover, and when
he turned he found my sword point at his
throat. Inferring, maybe. from that cir
cumstance that nothing to his advantage
was likely to result from a continued stay
he turned on his heel, and, followed by his
diSarmed trooper. went rapidly from the
house, using as ne did so many ungodly
words such as l 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
naught but laugh at the thought of the
grotesque and most dsf1gured figure which
the buriy sergeant had cut. But the brave
lady to whom owed so much was of a diff
ferant humor She plucked my sleeve and
looked into my face with such grave and
earnest appeal that at once 1 checked my
merriment.
Sir, pray you lose not a moment, but
depart forthwith, for l fear me yon SER
geant will most surely return
Nay. fair lady" 1 answered, Il depart
not alone; for. If mistake not, this same
fellow went off in worse humor at thy
creating than at mine
You speak in riddles, sir; whittier would
you have me go?"
ITO your home sweet lady"
And where may that be, most sagacious
sir?"
Nay. l know not: yet am sure tits not
cottage such as this"
The maiden stood pensve, 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 banter
ing manner and spoke in a voice of such
exceeding softness that it was like the mu-
fully tuned
Most valiant gentleman" she said IT
tk1ll w o md rba~
and why you find me here; for you have
borne brave part tonight, and it would
ili-become me to deceive one who has
welded for my sake so trusty a sword /
am the daughter of the Earl of Morvala,
whose purpose 1t was to give me in mar
rage to certain courtier of the king, a
man l had never seen. and who did not
doubt was devoted solely to puffs and frills
and such things as are bee oming only to
wonderland 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 1 would or no. like a pie,e
of merchandise. and my father not ceasing
to press me. l left his roof to seek that of
my mothers sister. who lives on the border
of the county of Worcester, until such time
as his humor should have changed. But
being unused to travelling unaccompanied,
1 mistook the path and went grievously
astray, so that when night fell I had wan
dered far from my direction. and this good
dame. seeing my dilemma, took me In and
gave me shelter. Then the troubles broke
out in this quarter. and 1 could not with
safety resume my journey. So my good
mother lent me this peasants dress, that I
might be the less easily recognized, and
here for six days l have abided.'
most astonishing but vastly pleasing
possibility had borne itself in upon ne while
she spoke. Yet Il could not be wholly GER
tain, and so 1 said:
You have told me much, madam and
yet not that which most desire to learn.
Your father being the Earl of Morvale,
have 1 the privilege of addressing the Lady
Constance Temple?'
She inclined her head to signify assent
''Is it than possible that the courtier of
whom you speak is Sir Lionel Mordaunt? o.
You have again guessed rightly" said
the lady, gazing at me in some astonish-
ment; though how you come to know so
much that concerns me / assure you, sir
I am at loss to understand"
And yet" 1 answered with bow, at
Is by means wonderful, as you will
presently perceive. For the moment, we
must make your safety cur chief concern.
The Castle of Morvale lies from here not
six leagues distant. The night is fine, and
by pressing forward without delay we
should reach 1t before the dawn. Once
there you will be safe, for the Earl of Nor
vale has taken no active part in the
frntI boil