Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-08-02

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Our mother had Mysteries before she
had done with kissing me. but our IA
ther swore big oath and rushed out
to order 'boot and saddle. The gaping
menservants followed him, and Harry
started up
"My boy, you cannot gol" cried our
beautiful mother, her face stained with
blood from his bruised lips.
II have to go. lady mother. lam not
hurt, !" he answered over his shoulder
as he ran from the room.
buckled on my sword belt and
FLASHED home my good blade. "You
toof" she moaned. But there was q
flash Of pride in her eyes that we were
both true sons
~ must, mother, to look after our
gentlemen of title, to see that they
come to no HARM" laughingly re-
piled. Then bent Il went little over
six feet even at that age) and kissed
the pale upturned face. In another
minute ! was climbing into the saddle
and strengthening my pistol holsters.
Six Of us clattered ont and down the
long avenue. The afternoon was well
begun and the air was warm. We saw
two Of our men carrying body out Of
the ditch. It was the robber had run
through on the previous night. We
could see CLEAN Of red sash and metal
belt where another lay on the fresh
turned burrows. Spreading out into the
fields that bordered the road we beat
every cover, but no giant mountaineer
could we find.
Harry, because Of the heat, had
pulled the bandages from his face, leav-
ing the blue lump on his forehead and
the swollen jaw exposed to view.
When the dusk of evening and the
chill mist from the swamp had over
taken us-and not until then did my IA
ther order return-we wheeled silent
ly on the wide road and cantered back
toward the house of LISTENS.
1--WE will break up their nest, Dart,
boy. as soon. as the crops are in, 4" said
my father, laying his hand on my knee
as we swung along.
81 only want the chance to charge
into Them" answered, "but the peas
ants say that they are many and well
armed"
eyes. and every man of them has
innocent blood on his hands and is an
outlaw from his country. whatever land
that may be, for they come from every
where. but we are true subjects of our
king and noblemen of Wassmark.
think if we call in the foresters we will
break them"
He put out his other hand and pressed
Harry's shoulder.
Little things like this meant much
from the Baron LISTENS.
When we gained the courtyard, they
were awaiting us anxiously with lam
terms and candles. In the hall our
mother unbuckled our sword belts
First her husbands, then Harry's, then
mine. 1t was queer to see her pull loose
the great buckles and drag the Changing
scabbards aside. She was smiling all
the while with the joy Of our return,
and the father stood with broad grin
on his shaven lips, and his eyes follow
ing every move she made.
That night we had supper in the lit.
tie tapestried parlor off the dining hall.
There were six of US around the table
My mother sat at the tea urn (rather
an uncommon piece of table plate in
those days) and my father at the round
Of beef at the other end. Mistress Sarah
Lyons, the widow of an English officer
who had been slain in Wassmark, and
my mothers right hand in all house.
keeping matters. sat beside Harry, and
opposite them SCARED old Lieutenant
Red Harding and your humble cadet
Red Harding was peasant by birth,
but had done such good service as q
soldier to the house Of LISTENS that be
had long ago been dubbed gentleman
and treated as one.
Though raid from the mountain
outlaws hung over US, we formed a
merry party. the baron drawing out
Red Harding to tell stories of the woods
and people, and the baroness saying all
manner OF witty things Mistress
Lyons told us tales of England. from
which we gathered that the people
there are very strong and brave. eat az
na.h as is good for them, drink like
Germans and go to church regularly.
We could hear now and then a shout
of laughter or burst of song from the
men in the outer hall. Foesters ani
keepers, shepherds and plowmen had
been called in to form garrison.
We did not tarry over the fire afte,
supper, but retired to our chambers
Harry and slept in turret room that
overlooked the rear walls and wild,
field lying ready for the sowing of The
grain. Bare and chill 1t looked undel
the white stars.
We were tired and sore, but aftel
throwing off onr stiff skirted coats, IL
which it was our habit to sup, ant
putting aside our lace collars, W,
sprawled in the window seat and gazei
out.
Here and there glimmered the ligh'
Of cottage window. Unlike some land
holders, the LISTENS gave their peopl,
cottages instead of huts and kind word
instead of kicks. This was much to on,
advantage. as you will presently see
We had no light in the room. ant
Harry, who was three years my seniol
and had been several times at Blaten
burg, the kings city, began talking
softly of court lady he had danced
with. l thought this mighty fine, ant
listened with all my ears He came t,
III h