The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-16

the Seven Sacraments TO his prlestiy con-
fessor?
And from aloof she studied him, with new
doubts and misgivings, her thoughts run
ming fast; and anon bent her eyes TO the hill
on the other side Of the valley. In her condi-
ton of mind, confused as before crisis, IL
was distinct relief when toward noon word
was brought that the free baron was ap-
preaching. Soon, not far distant, the cortege
of Louis of Hochfels was seen; at the front.
flashing helmets and breastplates; behind. a
cavalcade OF ladies on horseback and filters,
above which fioated many flags and banners.
Would he come on; would he turn back?
Many opinions were 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. Ac-
cordingly, leaving the cavalcade of the prin-
cess, her maids and attendants, the free
barop of Hochfels, surrounded by his own
trusted troops. dashed forward arrogantly
intS the he valley bent upon sweeping aside
Wonders daring knave, your Majesty"
with some perturbation observed the prelate
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
weighing the affairs of state, nearer and
nearer drew the soldiers of the bastard of
Pfalz-U rfeld; roughly calculating, a force
numerically as strong as 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
a 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 tangle of men and horses; the bristling
array of lanceS had vanished, and swords
and weapons for hand-to-hand warfare
threw play of light amid the tumble OF
troops and steeds, flags and banners. With
sword red from carnage. Louis of HOchfes
drew his men around him, hurting them
against the firm front of Charles's veterans
1t was the crucial moment; the turning
point in a struggle that could not be pro-
longed, but would be rather sharp, short
and decisive. If his men failed at the onset,
all was lost; If they gained but little
cendancy now, their mastery of the field
became fairly assured. Great would be the
reward for success; the fruits of victory
baron cut down a stalwart trooper; his blade
pierced the throat of another.
Clear the way to Charlesr' he cried, ex-
ultantly. He is our guerdon."
So terrible that rush, the guard OF Spain
on the right and the troops of Flanders on
the left began to give way; only TIE men
of Friedwald Stood but with the breaking of
the forces on each side il was inevitable
they, too, must soon be overw nelmed. In
voluntarily, as the quick eye of the Emperor
detected this sign of impending disaster, he
half started from his chair. His hand sought
his side; in his eyes shone steely light
The prelate quickly crossed himself and
raised his head as if in prayer.
THE penance, SIRE" ne murmured, but
his voice trembled.
Mechanically Charles replaced his blade.
Yea; better a kingdom lost" he muttered,
than broken VOW.
Yet after so many battles won in the field
and Diet; after titanic contests with kings
in Christendom. and Soyman in the east to
fan, by the mockery of fate into the grasp
or a thieving mountain riier-
Ambition! power! we SOW but the sand"
whispered safety.
''Vainglory is sleeveless Grand muir
INJURED the spirit of the fagellant
Yet he gazed half fercey at his priestly
adviser, when suddenly his gloomy eye
frightened; the inutiity of ambition was
forgotten; anconsciously he clasped the arm
of the joculatrix. who had drawn near. His
grip was like gauntlet; even in her tense,
strained mood she WINGED.
The fight is not yet lost" he exclaimed
AS he spoke the figure of a knight, fully
armed who had made his way through the
avenue of tents, was seen swiftly descend
ing the hill Upon his strong Arabian steed,
the riders appearance and bearing signaled
him as a soldier apart from the rank and
file of the guard. His coat-of-arms. that of
the house of Friedwald was richly emilia
ZOned upon the housings of his cOurser
Whence had he come? The attendants and
eqxerries had not seen him in the camp
Only the taciturn armorer of Friedwald
looked complacently after him, stroking his
great beard, as one well satisfied AS this
late-comer approached the scene of strife
the TANKS of the guard were wavering yet
more perilously.
"A miracle. sirev' cried the prelate.
But one that partakes more of earth than
heaven" retorted Charles, with ready irony
who is he, sire?" breathlessly asked the
Il A g. x,-l.. -
eyed page, holding to her skirt, all his cour-
age gone.
But before he could answer-if he had seen
fit to do so-from below, out of the vortex
came the clamorous shouts:
1.-THE dukei The duke,"
The master OF the mountain pass heard
also. and felt at that moment sudden thrill
Of premonition. The suerdOn; the quittance
could il be possible after all, the end was
not far? He could not believe il, yet
paroxysm of fury seized him; his strength
became redoubled; wherever his sword
touched trooper fell.
But like a wave. recovering from the re-
coil, the soldiers of Friedwald broke upon
his doomed band with a force manifold aue-
it, for the assaulting parties to the right |
and left were dismayed by the strength an
expectedy hurled against the center The |
bulky Flemish. the 1.-the Snaniard, the !
lofty trooper of Friedwald, overfiowed the /
shattered line of the marauders
Duke Robert" and "Friedwald," shouted /
''Cowards Would you give way?" cried |
the free baron. striking among them. |
Fools; Better the sword than the rope /
Gomez
But in his frenzied efforts 10 rally his mon
the master of Hochfels found himself face
to face with the leader of the already VIC
torious troops. AT the sight of him the bas-
tard paused; his breast rose and fell with
his labored breathing; his sword was dyed
red, also his arms, his clothes: from his
forehead the blood ran down over his heard
His eyes rolled like those of an animal: he
seemed something inhuman: an incarnation
Of baffied purpose.
IF it is reprisal you want. sir duke YOU
shall have it." he painted
"Reprisal' exclaimed Robert OF Fried
valid. scornfully. THE best you can offer is
And with that they closed. Evading the
strokes of his more bulky antagonist, the
younger mans sword repeatedly sought the
Vulnerable part OF the Others arnlor The
rec baron's strength became exhausted: his
blows rang harmlessly, or struck the empty
iir.
sensa ton Of pain admonished him of his
,wn disa bility. About. him his band had
melted away: doggedly had they given UP
heir lives beneath sword, mace and poniard
The ground was strewn with slain; riderless
iorses were galloping up the road. The free
,aron breathed yet harder; before his eyes
le seemed to see only blood
OF what avail had been his efforts? He
,een his triumphsi With belief that was
almost superstition, he had imagined his
lestiny lay thronewards. But the curse OF
lis birth had been ban 10 his efforts; the
bitterness of defeat smote him. He knew
he was falling: his nerveless hand loosened