Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-09-06

:hnu now, she said, trying brave
~ to smile, Twill you promise never to
try to see me again and to leave the
town if tell you two things3"
For answer / bowed my head and
drove the tears back on to my soul.
First, she said, 81 will never
marry king nor prince. nor, God pity
me, any man. and. second, You, Sir
Cadet. love with my true hearth
For a bright. bright second her lips
pressed mine, her hair was over my
eyes, and then she sped away down the
arbored path and left me leaning on my
needless crutches.
l staid in the garden for several
hours, limping up and down the paths
or staring away at the trees of the
park like one dazed by blow.
When Beverley came to have a dish
of tea with me in my room. I asked
him to get leave Of absence from the
king and to come with me to Blaten-
burg.
AT first he looked at me In piteous
amazement; then. leaning closer over
the table. he put-out his hand on my
shoulder. and said that he would come.
With many excuses. limiting at state
trouble and message from the king,
babe farewell to the court of Cloburg,
and. though the ladies In waiting
made great ado. Rufford seemed only
too pleased at my departure.
started on the journey at midday,
week after our tryst at the dog foun-
tain. Tom rode in the coach with me
(my knee forbade the saddle) and serv-
ant rode alongside on Hagart
Poor enough company made all the
first day. and Tom respected my 81
lence and spent his time between read
ing book and staring from the win
dow. But on the second day, toward
evening, we heard great rumpus
ahead, and the coach came to stand
still Tom got out to see what the mat
ter was, and Immediately two pistol
shots rang on the frosty air and past
the window Went man in red cloak
Keeling in his saddle Tom returned,
relating how our former acquaintance
Of the mountains had tried to hold ne
up and how a pistol ball somewhere in
the leg had been his only satisfaction.
After telling which he coolly returned
to his reading Of the book. the snow
still melting on his boots
We reached Blatenburg in safety
without further adventure Instead of
riding up to the palace we took rooms
and stabling for Hagart at the Cava-
lier's Pride, and next morning sent the
coach back to Cloburg On the night of
the second day. when was sitting
alone with Barbara's hat buckle in my
hand. a low knocking came on my door.
My knee btsing greatly improved. /
crossed the room and admitted man
with his cloak wrapped close about him.
Hik face was covered, but something
In the width of his shoulders and the
tallness of his figure reminded me Of a
former acquaintance. After closing the
door behind him he dropped the cloak
from his shoulders and dotted his hat,
disclosing 10 my startled gaze my SOW
ereign. king Of Wassmark.
II have called" he said, smiling,
ITO speak to you on matter of private
interest to both of us, and to another
whom 1t is not necessary to name. b.
stared at the king with challenging
eyes. my heart futtering and uncer-
tain, my mind made up to just pun
ishment for my impudence in loving
her.
His smile took on its old hroadness,
and he sat himself down on the edge Of
the bed and motioned me back to my
chair.
"You have been good servant. sir.
and a true fighter, he continued, "and
have many times saved your king and
your country much blood without know
ing it. You will kindly pass me Your
sword. Mine have forgotten. !"
brought my sword from the corner
Of the room. He barred the blade and
looked at the war dents.
"It is right fitting sword to knight
a man with. he said. and, requesting
me to kneel, which did as gracefully
aa n0Ssihla nndar tho c}rcumo<o pooo