Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-10

before? Certes, here stood now only a
rosy maid. robbed OF her spirit; or a folle
struck witless. and Charles face softened.
out Immediately grew stern, as his mind
abruptly passed from wandering jestress
and fleeing fool to matters of more moment.
Under VOW TO the Virgin, the emperor had
announced he would not draw sword him
self that day, but, seated beneath n can
opy of velvet, overlooking the valley, he so
far compromised with conscience as per-
sonally to direct the preparations TO- the
conflict. On his sable throne, surro lnded
by funeral hangings, how white and fur
rowed, how har2sSed with many cares, he
appeared in the glare of the morn to the
young girl! Was this he who held nearly
all Europe in his palm? who between mar
tial commands talked of holy orders, the
apostolic see and the seven sacramentS to
his priestly confessor?
And from aloof she studied him, with new
doubts and misgiving, her thoughts run
ming fast, and anon bent her eyes to the
hill on the other side of the valley. In her
/ condition of mind. confused before a
crisis, it was distinct relief when toward
noon word was brought that the free baron
was approaching. Soon, not far distant,
the cortege of louis of Hochfels was seen;
at the front flashing helmets and breast
plates: behind a cavalcade of ladies on
horseback and filters, above which floated
many flags and banners.
Would he come on would he turn back?
Many opinions We're rife.
"Oh. cried page with golden hair,
there will be no battle after all"
And truly, confronted by the aspect of
the emperor's camp, the marauder had at
first hesitated; but If the dangers before
him were great. those behind were greater.
Accordingly. leaving the cavalGade of the
princess her maids and attendants, the
free baron of Hochfels, surrounded by his
own trusted troops, dashed Toward AFRO
gantly into the valley, bent upon sweeping
aside even the opposition of Charles him
self
Wonders daring knave, your. majesty. >
with some perturbation observed the prel-
ate who stood near the emperor.s chair.
"Certes he tits at fame, or death, with a
| bold lance" replied Charles. would that
Robert of Friedwald were there to cry him
quits" -
While thus he spoke, as calm as though
secluded in one of his monastery retreats.
weighing the affairs of state, gpearer and
nearer drew the soldiers of the bastard of
Pfalz-Urfeld; roughly calculating, force
numerically as strong the emperor's own
guard
The young girl her face now white and
drawn, watched the approaching band.
Would Charles never give the signal? I'M
perturbable sat the mounted troopers of the
emperor. awaiting the word of command
AT length. when her breath began to come
fast and sharp, Charles raised his arm. In
solid. steady body. his men swept onward
The girl StrOve to look away, but could not.
Both bands. gaining in momentum, met
with crash. That nice symmetry OF form
and orderlineSs of movement was succeeded
by a tangle of men and horses; the bristling
array of lances had vanished, and swords
and weapons for hand-to hand warfare
threw a play of light amid the tumble Of
troops and steeds, flags and banners With
sword red from carnage, Louis of HochfelS
drew his men around him, hurting them
against the firm front of Charles veterans
1t was the crucial moment; the turning