Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-05-12
THE HOUSE OF ISSTENS.
Bv Sir DAragan Issns House, Knight OF the Roya
Order of and One TimeE ambassador the
Court of I of England.

Copyright, 1899, by American Press Association
CHAPTER XIV
THE PRISONER OF THE ROSE.

SnAT l En- A1t
THE PRISONER OF THE ROSE.
Three days passed without further
orders from my royal master
But in the meantime Harry, who
had ridden from listens on business,
heard of m. presence in the town, and
you may we'll imagine the joy Of our
meeting
But when | told him that duty called
me into the saddle again. to spur in l
knew not what direction. he was sorely
disappointed 1t was now the second
week in December. and the joy of
Yuletide. he told me. warmed the old
house of LISTENS from the stables to the
tower Many guests were expected to
make cheer there among these the
Lady St Arnaud and others from the
court
Tom promised. in case could not
get home for the merry season. to take
my place among the ladies 80 far as
might be
That evening. when we were max
ing merry together in our rooms, each
with long pipe and glass, message
arrived with paper for me and large
package sealed The first was addressed
"To Sir D'Artagan LISTENS. Knight of
the Royal Order of Wassmark. and
ran
1T is my pleasure that you ride out
tonight to the inn of the Three Trees,
which lies some 30 miles east Of this
city. starting such time that you may
arrive at the inn shortly before dawn
Do not enter. but wait near by until
coach. unescorted drawn by three
grays and black. arrives. From dis.
crete distance you will see them change
the horses and bring refreshment out to
the inmate of the coach
"When they proceed on their jour-
ney. you will follow at distance OF
some ten rods. and should any one mo.
lest or threaten the vehicle. ride up and
defend it. The pace will be hard. and
at Blatenburg the horses will be again
changed, and you. too, will need fresh
mount From there you will follow to
little fishing village on the coast. a
distance of over 12 miles You will
wait. out CT sight, until the inmate of
the coach has had ample time to go on
board the ship Rose, now lying ready
to sail Then you will ride down to the
shore and signal, and the captain will
have boat ready to take you out also
with your horse.
''Show the captain of the vessel these
papers sealed with my seal They will
not be opened as they do. but say that
you are ambassador to the court of
England for the court Of .Wassmark
Concerning which. | hope, sir, you do
not object to having the post thrust
upon you
"After this make your presence
xnown to the person who rode in the
coach.
Upon reaching England you will
know best what to do and how severely
to deal with your prisoner. who has
more than once threatened the peace Of
Wassmark.
1.-The risks you take are not great /
close with my blessing on the adven-
ture.
did not share the contents of this
letter with my comrades. but thrust it
and the package into concealed pocket
of my coat and asked Harry to let me
have his horse until the following day
1want Hagart for my second mount,
l explained, land will leave him here
As they did not intend to start for
listens for a few days Harry readily
gave me the desired permission.
Within an hour l climbed to the sad.
die, taking care not to wrench my new
ly mended knee The viscount's horse
was round barreled sorrel-swift and
easy
| rode leisurely. pondering on the
kings orders Why. if | had touched
sore his pride. had he made me a
knight. and now ambassador to the
English courtY And why the secrecy of
this last strange venture-this riding
behind the coach. and yet not with it
For moment the thought of treachery
crossed my mind. but put it out with
a curse. knowing that the king was
ever man to love open fighting. So
through all the remaining hours of the
night rode with my gloomy heart
There were few signs of dawn in the
sky when | sighted the inn of the
Three Trees. Snow lay frozen on the
road and fanged wind started out of
the east Shelter of some kind meant
to have, and. looking about. espied at
a little distance from the outbuildings
of the hostel a half ruined stable One
corner. under the roof of thatch. was
snug enough. and here the good horse
stood contentedly while kept watch at
the door. slapping my arms across my
chest. after the manner of woodchop-
pers in the forests of LISTENS.
The dawn broke at last, yellow and
red. 1t was dreary piece of country
wide meadows divided by lines Of pop
lars-which stretched before the door
of our refuge Away to the right the
white and gray monotony was broken
by wedge shaped forest of evergreens,
coming down the side of hill.