Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-18

cuHopy Oh VeiVet overlooking the VAL
ley hc so far compromised with con.
science as personally to direct the prep.
arntions for the conflict. On his sable
throne. surrounded by funereal hang.
ings, how white and furrowed, how
harassed 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
martial commands talked Of holy or.
ders. the apostolic see and the seven
sacramento to his priestly confessorf
And from aloof she studied him, with
new doubts and misgivings, her
thoughts running fast. and anon bent
her eyes to the hill on the other side Of
The valley. In her condition Of mind.
confused az before a crisis, It was a
distinct relief when toward noon word
vas brought that the free baron was
approaching. Soon. not far distant, the
tortege Of Louis Of Rochfels was seen;
Mt the front, flashing helmets and
breastplates; behind. a cavalcade Of la.
dies on horseback and litters. above
which foated many flags and banners.
Would he come on? Would he turn
back? Many opinions were rife.
son. 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 II the dan.
gers before him were great those be.
hind were greater. Accordingly, leav.
10 Af ho ri
maids and attendants, the free baron
Of Hochfels, surrounded by his own
trusted troops, dashed forward AFRO
gantly into the valley, bent upon
sweeping aside even the opposition Of
Charles himself.
"Yonder's daring knaSe, your mai
esty," with some perturbation observed
the prelate who stood near the emper.
Or's chair.
"Certes. he tits at fame or death
with 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 bis monas.
terry retreats, weighing the affairs of
state. nearer aud nearer drew the sol.
diers Of Louis of Pfalz- urfed-rouRhly
calculating, a force numerically az
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? Imperturbable sat the mount.
ed 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 on.
ward. The girl strove to look away,
but could not.
Both bands, gaining in momentum
met with a crash. That nice symmetry
of form and orderliness of movement
were succeeded by tangle of men and
horses, the bristling array Of lances
had vanished. and swords aud 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 point In a struggle that
could not be prolonged. but would be
rather sharp. short and decisive. II
his men failed at the onset all was
lost. II they gained but a little ascend
ency now their mastery of the field
became fairly assured. Great would
be the reward for success; the fruits
Of victory-the emperor himself. And
savagely the free baron cut down a
stalwart trooper His blade pierced
the throat Of another
Clear the way to Charles.' he cried
exultantly. He is our guerdonv'
So terrible that rush the guard OF
Spain on the right and the troops OF
Flanders on the left began TO give way
Only the men Of Friedwald stood, but
with the breaking of the forces on cnch
side it was inevitable they, too. must
soon be overwhelmed. Involuntarily,
as the quick eye of the emperor detect.
ed this sign of impending disaster. he
half started from his chair. His hand
sought his side In his eyes shone q
steely light. The prelate quickly cross.
ed himself aud raised his head as IL in
prayer.
The penance. sire" he murmured,
but his voice trembed.
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 Soly.
man in the east. to fall by the mockery
Of fate into the grasp Of a thievina
mountain rifer-
Ambition, power. we SOW but the
sand whispered safety.
"VainglOry Is a sleeveless ezra nd
murmured the spirit of the flagellant
Yet he gazed half fiercely at his
priesty adviser. when suddenly his
gloomy eye frightened; the inutility Of
ambition was forgotten: unconsciously
he clasped the arm of the jOcuatrix,
who had drawn near. His grip was
like a gauntlet. Even in her tense,
strained mood she WINGED.
THE fight is not yet lost" he ex'
claimed.
AS he spoke the figure of knight,
fully armed, who had made his way
through the avenue Of tents, was seen
swiftly descending the hill. Upon his
strong Arabian steed the riders ap.
pearance and bearing signaled him as