The Forrest City times., 1906-05-11
WHAT HAPPENED
 AT STARKENFELS
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Copyright. by Joseph 3. Bowles)
By RAFAEL sAsATIEI

 the beauty of the Princess Yola2 And who that has heard VIII have difficulty in believing that f. was to my heart and not 10 my ambitions. that fell yictim7
 For months worshipped her from afar. as p.oas ones worship a saint reTerentiy. eessa;icaiiy BezpairiHg. too. was Iay love for her. realizing that while she was helress to the throne of Liehtenatein. was but one of the minor satellites of the court
 My princess was chosen by the states Of SaebsenbeTs and LiehtansteiH 10 become the vile of King Heinrich of Saehsepberg. Few were there at the Court ef Naduz that were not priyy t0 this. and few whom the princess fla refusal to enter into the alliance did not fI with constsrna- tion. She had never seen the king of SaehseHberg, and she openly vowed that she Lever wished U see him: that she would not be bestowed like unto ehattel for purposes Of state
 Then did 1t occur to me that hapiy the princess had already given her heart to anothSr. Could it be. asked myself, that my ardent glanees had not been in vain?
 l will not dwell here upon details Of our flight; they scarce concern my story. But so we'll did I contriye that in three days my mistress sat safe within the walls of her castle of Stark cnfeis. We were prepared for siege, and I had victnalled the place So that a score of people might hold out for year. If need be.
 On the eighth day Of our coming to Starkenfels 1 held barley with one who rode up in hot haste to the very edge of the noat.
 From the battlenents inquired on what errand he was come, and in an swer he pompously announced that his business was with the Princess Yola of Lehtenstein. Then there came the rustic of a gown beside me, and the princess was at my elbow. gazing down upon that leather-clad clown
 Who is this, Geristein?''
 T know not, madame. It pleases him to be mysterious"
 But he is wouHded," she cried. look of pity gIorifying her matchless eyes. And you leave him at the gate?s
 The graeeless dog. pereeiving her. doffed his grey beaver. decked by broken goose quill. disclosing a face that was very pale.
 Lady" he began. then stopped ab- ruptly. The hat fluttered from his grasp: he sank forward upon the withars of his horse, then rolling from the saddle, lay in.rt upon the turf.
 See to him. my lord" the princess cried. He has fainted. Have him brought into the castle"
 The wound was mere scratch. though much blood had flowed. as his sodden sleeve bore witness. With her own kerchief she bound it up
 Poor lad she murmured, he hath lost much blood.'
 As she spoke he stirred: a sigh es- eped him. and he opened his eyes. to Ind the princess mirrored in them. Then from tnCse eyes of his there lAshed with returning consciousness look of saca wonder and bold ad- miration that lay lady's dignity was aroused by |.
 My ladys trow grew dark. and stern her eye.
 Come you on behalf of King Hen- rieh2s
 Nay. your h.ehness, on my own. and sorry traitor dn I hold myself Yet. madame that which is a foot seemeth to me so foul a thing that | had no longer esteemed myself a gen tleman had I, Anthony Non Turgen, not ridden to warn YOU
 What is tkis warning that keeps you Q gentleman yet makes you a traitor?'
 Lady, the prince. your father, ac- companied hy the king of Sachsenherg. Is on his was hither with a thousand men.
 There was moments pause. and white grew the Princess Yola's cheeks
 But despair not, lady You may yet escape leaving your castle gar risened. Bid your men hold cut for d month. and then surrender the empty nest to the prince. But, lady. you must hasten, for ha draws near,
 Yola put her hand to her heart and looked about her with eyes that for moment told oi fear, Then
 Here will remain" she said. "un- III these tyrants shall have starved ne. Do you save yourself. sir. and take with you Ey thanks for your noble effort
 At the princess command fresh horse was brought him In this there was some delay. and when at last he was mounted il WIS too late. The princes force was within a couple Of hundred yards. and I could not sane uon the lowering of the bridge.
 With a careless laugh Non Turgen dismounted and flung the reins to a servant
 For a mos.th sat the Prince of L.icht- enstein and the King of Saehsenberg haSisofDo a7e and in my ura ala 1fso |