Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-26

war with a woman. The castle commands
the river and holds the district. The widow
may give it up reaceably at the altar or
forcibly at the point of the sword. which,
ever method commends itself to her lady
ship. The castle must be in the command
of one whom 1 can trust"
The conversation here met a startling
interruption. The archbishop and his
montory,. and following the bend Of the
river, the nature of the country being such
that is was impossible to see many hundred
feet ahead of them. Suddenly they came
upon troop of armed and mounted men,
standing like statues before them. The
troop numbered an even score, and COM
pietely filled the way between the precipice
on their left and the stream on their right.
Although armed. every sword was in Its
scabbard. with the exception of the long,
two-handed weapon of the leader. who
stood a few PAGES in advance or his men,
with the point of his sword resting on the
ground. The black horse, old in CAM
paigns, recognized danger ahead, and
stopped instantly, without waiting for the
drawing OF the rein, planting his two fore
feet firmly in front, with suddenness of
action that would have endorsed less
alert rider. Before the archbishop could
question the silent host that barred his
way. their leader raised his long sword I'M
Til it stood perpendicularly In the air above
his head and with a loud voice. in meas
ured tones, as one repeats lesson he has
learned by rote. he cried: My lord arch
bishop of TreveS, the Countess Won Lau-
rette of Starkenburg invites you to sup
with her."
In the silence that followed, the leader
sword still remained poised untrembling In
the air. Across the narrow gorge from
the wooded sides of the opposite noun
tains came with mockinS cadence the echo
of the last words of the invitation, clear
and distinct, as If spoken again by some
one concealed in the forest. A deep frown
darkened the brow of the fighting arch
biship.
The countess Is most kind he said.
slowly. Convey to her my respectful ad-
miration. and express my deep regret that
l am unable to accept her hospitality, as
l ride tonight to my castle at Cochem.
The leader of the opposing host suddenly
lowered his appraised sword, as If in salute,
but the motion seemed to be precoh-
certed signal, for every man behind nm
instantly whipped blade from scabbard,
and stood there with naked weapon dis
played The leader, raising his sword once
more to its former position. repeated IN the
same ioud and monotonous voice, as II tne
archbishop had not spoken:
My lord archbishop Of Treves. the Count
ess Laurette Won Starkenburg invites you
to SUP with her..
The intelligent war horse. who had re-
garded the cbstructing force WIN heau
held high. retreated slowly step by step,
until now a considerable distance separated
the two companies. The captain OF the
guard had seen from the first that attack
or defense were equally useiess, anu VII
his men had also given way gradually
as the strange colloquy went on. Whether
any of the opposing force noticed this or
not, they made no attempt to recover the
ground thus almost imperceptibly stolen
from them but stood as il each horse were
rooted to the spot.
Baldwin, the fighter. whose compressed
lips showed how 10th ne was to turn back
upon any foe. nevertheless saw the ~
tiIity of resistance, and in a quick. clear
whisper, he said, hastily. Back! back! II
we cannot fight them. we can at least out
race them
The good monk had taken advantage of
his privilege as a Eon-combatant 10 retreat
well to the rear while the invitation was
being given and declined. and in the sue
ceeding flight now found himself leading
the van. The captain of the guard threw
himself between the Starkenburg men and
the prince of the church, but the former
made no effort at pursuit, standing where
they had stood from the first until the
rounding promontory hid them from view.
Suddenly the horse which the monk
rode stood stock still, and the worthy man.
with a cry of alarm, clirging to the ami
malls name, shot over his head and came
heavily to the ground. The whole flying
troop came to a halt, for there ahead of
them was a band exactly similar in num-
bcrs and appearance to that from which
they were galloDing. 1t seemed as If the
same troop had been transported by magic
across the promontory and placed across
the way. The sun shone on the uDlfted
blade of the leader, reminding the arch
bishop of the flaming sword that barred
the entrance of our first parents to para
disc. TIE leader, with ringing voice that
had a touch of menace IN it, cried
My lord archbishop of Treves, the
Countess Laurette Won Starkenburg in
vtes you to sup with her.
Trapped" muttered the elector, be-
tween his clenched teeth. His eyes
sparkled with anger, and the sinister light
that shot from them had before now made
the emperor quail. He spurred his horse
toward the leader, who lowered his sword
and bowed to the great dignitary approach
ing him.
THE Countess of Starkenburg is my vas
SAL" cried the archbishop. You are her
servant and in much greater degree there
fore. are you mine l command you to let
us pass unmolested on our way; refuse at
your peril
"A servant" said the man slowly "obeys
the one directly above him, and leaves that
one TO answer still superior authority.
My men obey me: 1 take my orders from
my lady. the countess. If you. my lord
wish 10 direct the authority which / obey
my lady the countess, awaits your pleas
ure at her castle of Starkenburg."
wv hat arc your orders, fellow" asked
the archbishop in caimer tone.
To convey your lordship without seattle
TO the gates of Starkenburg'
And if you meet resistance what then
THE orders stand, my lord"
You will, l trust, allow this mendicant
monk to pass psaceably Oh his way to
Treyes."
I'm no castle On the MosclIe does even the
humbiest servant If the church receive a
warmer welcome than at Starkenburg
My lady would hold NE to blame were she
prevented from offering her hospitality to
the mendicant."
Does the same generous impulse extend
to each Of my followers?"
ut includes them all, my lord
Very we'll We will do ourselves the