Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-08-30


of the war. which still fizzled along the
boundaries. and some of trade, and a
few OF the court A casual glance at a
group OF cavaliers in the center Of the
room caused the blood to throb up over
my tace- Howard, the English knave
and baronet. sat there. with his face
turned toward me- He was flushed with
wine and talking fluently for 80 morose
and caustic a fool. While | sat there
staring. wondering if sudden rush at
him would prove wise. the door opened
and in strutted my little fair comrade,
Tom Beverley knew that he saw me,
though his face showed no recognition.
He had scarcely come six PAGES into the
room when up sprang the baronet
witt curse. and made as if to snatch
loose 4 pistol Tom paused and looked
mp lit him with fine air Of bored in
difference
If you wish to dispatch me, why
not use your sword. OF has it been taken
from your" he drawled
The other men in the room turned
about in their eeats-some grinning,
the more peaceful pickering their
brows. The men at Howard's table
cried for him to chastise the young cub
sat still. but under the folds Of my
long cloak my rapier lay bare Beverley
emiled. and Howard hesitated re-
membered Tom having told me that
they had fought before. Perhaps the
older man bore painful memories Of
that fight
Tom broke the silence. Didn't the
cadet Of LISTENS give back your sword ?"
he asked, looking interested
That started it all. and the baronet,
red with fury. went stabbing at him
across the room My friend could not
Withstand the onset of his fellow coun-
tryman at first. and so followed close,
with my fingers itching on the hilt.
Tables were upturned. and wine crept
over the floor The men. especially
those deep in liquor. swore and laughed
was pressed close to Beverley
BE ready to help me break to the
door, he muttered
Then. six inches from the wall, he
stood firm and played at his antagonist s
eyes The men yelled in admiration
The landlord wept at the splitting of his
wine. l thrilled with a fine pride at my
dear comrades skill In minute the
crowd saw that Beverley was playing
with the baronet. hut they did not
seem to realize that so little fellow
would take a life. The hardening Of his
face, however. revealed to me a fateful
purpose. There was scraping. clang
ing parry. lunge, u cry. and the
baronet reeled back. grabbing with
bloody fingers at his side l rushed at
the door. smashed it down and dragged
Beverley out after me into the street
Then we ran at the top of our speed.
The palace of the royal house of Clo-
burg stands near the outskirts of the
city in level park. unlike that of
Blatenburg. which Is approached by a
steep hill. When we reached the park
gates. we paused to draw breath. Bev-
erley leaned against me, faint from the
eight and the flight. All was quiet. as
no fierce death had occurred in the
towns heart. For moment we lis
tened; then Beverley cried: "Great
God have left my sword there. and
the kings arms and mine on the
guardH I did not speak at first, but
looked down at his hatless head on my
shoulder. Ruin for my friend-the
whole national Importance of the duel
had come to me-stared me in the face.
1--WE will have to go away-ride fol-
the mountains" said presently.
Eve. Why wet" he groaned. look.
ing up.
"Man. do you think care no more
for my friends than wine merchant
for his clerks? I am glad of the rogue's
death-I will not deny it-and will
flee with you.
"Isstens, he said in his English
way. II believe you are the best fellow
in Gods world. But have done right
In killing the bruteY"
II would have done 1t myself else, =
! answered.
just then bell rang out in the towI
angrily.
calling out the royal guard to ar
rest one of their own men. said Bev
erley. smiling family.
We made all speed to the stables ant
found part of the guard saddling I or
dered Hagart to be got ready. The mel
all fine fellows-spoke to me.
"Are you coming with usf" the,
asked. and l nodded. Little they though
that the man they were after was tn,
pet of their squad and at that momen
seeing to his girth in the very midst o
them. Twelve of us rode ont of the yard
and at the corner of the park wall Bev
erley and l gave them the slip W.
spurred hotfoot to the gates and fount
\ them closed.
NO one may pass. An English no
bleman has been killed." said the oil,
keeper.
Beverley had fresh sword in hi
: scabbard. He wore his guardsman'
uniform. I'VE are after him. he sail
quietly. Irode up to the fellow and toll
him to let US through or beware Of tn
kings anger, and l showed him tn
royal arms on ring Princess Barbar
had given me.
II crave your pardon. my lords. /" b
muttered. and unbarred the gates. w
passed through without looking back
and once on the easy country roa
broke into a swinging gallop.
Trees and hedges slid by like mock
ing onlookers. Cottage windows blinke
In the night and disappeared. The win
blew raw from the east. and there wer
no stars nor moon. But heard onl
the thudding of our horses hoofs in fly
ing companionship. and knew only tha
the mountains ahead of US held brie
safety.
CHAPTER XII.
THE ROYAL GUARDS OF CLoBURG.
The morning breeze. all scented wit
the late harvest and after grass of tt
meadows. was In my nostrils when
awoke. A little, rustic easement stoo
a f.