Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-08-09

4 Sweetest Maid Marion
Here the viscount turned and fed.
leaving me gazing at Mistress Castle
tree and she at the sky. Her face was
crimson, and think mine was too.
.'By all the little blue dew re-
membered myself and fled away also
CHAPTER v.
THE KING 8 SUMMONS.
When ! found Harry. he was CON-
vulsed with laughter, lying on the
couch in our chamber could not chal-
lenge him to fight, so sprang upon him
with my knees and said that I would
both write and read my own poems
In the future.
When next l met Marion, she flashed
her eyes at me in naughty way that
raised both terror and admiration in
my heart. She did not go down to her
seat on the south terrace for three days
after the jester play Of Harry'A How
10 mend matters l did not know,
though I pondered over it continually
and forgot my sword exercise and all
interest in quarter staff. But one night
. plan dawned upon me. and begged
Harry to give me the verses. He did so
without questioning. and going up to
my room scrawled beneath them:
"This is all true; swear 1t, though
Harry wrote the rhymes. D'Artagan."
Then l put the paper into her silver
cup down in the dining hall and went
mp to bed. Scarcely had got clear Of
my boots when in came Lieutenant
Red Harding.
Cup. sir. and into saddle for Blaten-
burg, at the kings command" and of
again to find Harry, who was some
where reading Caesar. pulled on my
riding boots. changed my silk coat for
leather jerkin with steel breastplate,
buckled on my sword belt, and. hat in
hand, clattered down stairs.
Harry, Red Harding aud l. with 10
borsemen, were to answer the kings
summons. leaving my father and the
captain with the rest Of the men to
guard the house.
The mother came out to bid US god
speed, but no Marion; so away we
started on the 80 mile road to the kings
city. Harry jested SO that the men
shook till thought they would roll
from their saddles did not feel un-
usually gay, which I. think was quite
natural. While Harry and Red Hard
ing chatted merrily rode at the lien
tenants left. silent as the dead. After
I've hours on the road. which was mud
to the fetlock most Of the way, the
dawn broke in front Of u.s. We dis
mounted at little hostel and drained
cup, while the fellows fed our horses
. bite and rubbed them dry with hand
fuls Of straw. washed Hagart's
mouth out myself. for he is fine horse
and too good to be trusted to every
wayside stable boy.
Before the sun had risen pale width
above the fir trees we were mounted
again. Half an hour later we rode into
Blatenburg. the kings city. and by the
light on the viecount's face one might
have thought 1t was his
The streets were alive, early though
the hour was, and armorers had their
FORCES going-and the smiths. too-for
many Of the incoming horses had cast
their shoes. The great houses, the hur-
rying people and the bright faces made
what seemed to me wondrous brave
sight. Our leader, Harry. took US far
into the city, and there ordered us to
dismount at big inn not far from the
royal palace. Out Of the saddles we
climbed, glad enough to be rid Of them.
Our horses were led away, and we
went inside to breakfast The landlord
took us to the highest table, while a
( drawer hustled our men in to spread
Of ham and beer.
.Have you heard anything Of the Boz
hemiansf" asked Harry.
Baron vossgof defeated them last
: night 10 miles to the north, my lord, :"
answered the fellow. with a broad smile.
"Thank Godi' we cried, and drained
to the health of Baron Vossgof.
Harry. as our captain and represent
alive Of the house Of LISTENS, must go
mp and report to the king, but Red
Harding and /. belted and spurred, sal
lied ont arm in arm to view the city.
I,think we were fierce looking pair
by the way the other soldiers turned
to stare at u.s. wore gold across my
breast and the mark Of the cadet, to-
gsther with the LISTENS crest on my
sash. and Red Harding was bravely
trigged ont with lace and gold, polished
brass and scarlet. Though ladies waved
their scarfs to us from the windows and
balconies Of the tall houses and men
saluted us In the streets, my heart
would not away from the gray house Of
LISTENS.
When we returned to the tavern,
Harry was awaiting ne. He was most
beautifully dressed in satin and lace.
Wise viscount to bring his court suit
along with himl
It was evening and he bore news Of
great fete in the palace and palace
gardens, to which all true officers and
gentlemen were invited. At this Red
Harding, who was something Of q blade
ct heart. pulled long face.
''By the devils. viscoupt can go in
these boots" he gasped.
The troopers at the door fell to laugh.
ing at this The lieutenant froze then
witha stare, and then he went in t
supper. But as feasting would be goin
on at the palace we did not spend muc
time over the tavern beef.
had two men in to rub us up
boots, breastplates and spurs-and Re
Harding groaned. "If we can't go looh
ing like the viscount, we will go looh
ing very much like the devil"
On our way up the hill, which wa
paved with marble for foot passengers