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

~ Jury SelZe0 MIN. Ills strength OC-
came redoubled; wherever his sword
touched a trooper fell.
But. like a wave, recovering from the
vecoil, the soldiers Of Friedwald broke
Upon his doomed band with a force
manifold augmented-broke and car
ried the TANKS with 1t, for the assault
ing parties to the right and left were
hurled against the center. The bulky
Flemish, the 1.-THE Spaniard the lofty
trooper Of Friedwald. ovcrhowed the
vhattered line of the marauders.
"Duke Robert" and "F'riedwald"
shouted the Austrian band.
Edwards. WoMid you give way?"
cried the free baron. striking among
them. Fools! Better the sword than
the rope. Gomez
But in his frenzied efforts to rally
his men the master of Hochfels found
himself face to face with the leader of
Che already victorious troops. At tho
sight Of him the pretcnder paused. His
breast rose and fell with his labored
breathing. His sword was dyed red,
| uIHO hiS az hio SiothsS. iOih HiS
. forehead the blood rnn down over his
beard. His Dyes rolled like those Of an
animal. He seemed something inhu-
man, an incarnation Of bafiled purpose.
IF it is reprisal you want. Sir Duke,
| you shall have it," he painted.
"Reprisal" exclaimed Robert Of
Fricdwald scornfully. 1.-The best you
ran offer is your life"
And with that they closed. Evading
the strokes Of his more bulky antago-
mist, the younger mans sword repeat
eddy sought the vulnerable part of the
others armor. The free baron's
strength became exhausted. His blows
rang harmlessly or struck the empty
air.
A sensation Of pain admonished him
Of. his own disability. About him his
bg1l had melted away. Doggedly had
they given up their lives beneath
sword. mace and poniard. The ground
was strewn with the slain. Riderless
horses were galloping up the rond. The
free baron breathed yet harder. Before
his eyes he seemed to see only blood.
OF what avail had been his efforts?
He had won the princess. but how
brief had been his triumphs With n
belief that was almost superstition he
Imagined his destiny lay throneward
But the curse Of his birth had been a
ban to his efforts; the bitterness Of de-
feat smote him. He knew he was fall
Ing; his nerveless hand lOosened his
blade
II am Sped" he cried--"sped" and
released his hold, while the tide of con-
nict appeared abruptly to sweep away.
AS he struck the earth an ornament
that he had worn about his neck became
lnfastened and dropped to the ground.
But once he moved, to raise himself on
his elbow.
The hazard Of the diew he muttcred.
striving to see with eyes that were
growing blind. A rush Of blood in
lerruptetf him. he fell back, straighten-
ID out and stirred NO more.
Now had the din Of strife ceased al.
together when descending the slope up
pesred a cavAitade, at the head of
which rode n lady on white palfrey
followed by several maids and guarded
~ du c0COTt VI SOI0ACI6 WuO "OiC ssiO
ting's own cOlors. A stricken process
)ion 1t seemed as 1t drew near. the
laces Of the women white with fear,
NE gay attire and gorgeous trappings
"a mockery on that ensanguined arena.
Proudly proceeded the lady on the
white horse. although in her eyes shone
look of dread. 1t was an age when
women were accustomed to scenes OF
bloodshed. Injured to conflicts in the
Hsts, yet she shuddered as her palfrey
picked its way across that field. Al
Me near side Of the hollow her glance
singled out q mOtiOnleSs figure anon.
those lying where they had fallen. {
!hickset man. whose face was upturn
I'd to the sky. One look into those
CLASSY eyes, so unresponsive to hcl
swn, and she quickly dismounted ant
Tell on her knees beside the recumben
form She took one Of the cold hands
n hers. but dropped 1t with scream.
Dead" she cried. "Dead"
The lady stared at that terribly re
pusive face. For some moments sh
seemed dazed snt there DULY. the on
lockers forbearing to disturb her. Thel
her gaze encountered that of him wh
had slain the free baron. and sh
sprang to her feet On her features al
expression Of bewilderment had beel
followed by one Of recognition.
'The dukes fool" she exclaimed
wildly. "He is dead. and you hav
killed him. The fool has murdered hi
paster!'
ut is true he is dead" answered til
Nher. leaning heavily on his swor'
md surveying the inanimate form
but he was no master OF NINE"
THAT, Madame la Prncesse, we will
,lso AFFIRM broke in an austere voice
Behind them rode the emperor,
sark figure among those bright gown
and golden trappings, the saddleclotI
and adornments Of his stecd somber a
~ MN