Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1906-07-18
WAT HAPPENED
AT STARKENFELS
BY RAFAEL SABATlNl


In believing that II was to my heart.
and not to my ambitions, that ! fell
yictim2
For months | worshipped her from
afar. as pious ones worship saint
reyerently, ecstatcally. Despairing.
too, was my love for her. realizing
that while she was helress to the
throne of Lichtenstein. | was but one
of the minor satellites OF the court.
My princess was chosen by the
states Of Sachsenberg and i.ichtenstein
to become the vie Of King Heinrich
OF Sachsenberg. Few were there at
the Court OF Vaduz that We're not
prlyy to this. and few whom the
princess Nat refusal to enter into tn
alliance did not hll with constorna-
tion. She had never seen the king OF
Sachsenberg, and SIZE openly vowed
that she never wished to see him; that
she would not be bestowed like unto a
Chattel for purposes Of state
Then d.d 1t occur to me that haply
the princess had already given her
heart to another. Could 1t be- | asked
myself, that my ardent glance5 had
not beel in vain?
will not dwell here upon details OF
our flight; they scarce concern my
story But so well did | contrive that
in three days my mistress sat safe
within the walls of her castle of Stark
onfels We were prepared for q
siege, and | had vctualled the place
50 that score OF people might hold
out for year, If need be.
On the eighth day of our coming to
Starkenfels held parley with one who
rode up In hot haste to the very edge
OF the moat
From the battlements | inquired on
swer he pompously announced that his
business was with the Princess Hola
of Lichtenstein. 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?"
Il know not, madame, 1t pleases
him to be mysterious"
But he is wounded" she cried,
look of pity glorifying her matchless
eyes, And you leave him at the
gate,"
The graceless dog, perceiying her
doffed his grey beaver, decked by "A
broken goose quill disclosing face
that was very pais.
Lady" he began, then stopped alb
ruptly. 1ne hat futtered from hi'
grasp, be sank forward upon the
withers OF his horse, then rolling from
the saddle, lay inert upon the turf
See to him, my lord" the princess
cried He has tainted. 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; sigh es
capped him, and he opened his eyes to
find the princess mirrored in them
Then from those eyes of his there
flashed with returning consciousness
a look Of such wonder and bold al.
mlrauon that my lady's dignity was
aroused by H.
My lady's brow grew dark, and
stern her eye.
Come you on behalf OF King Helm
rich?"
NAY, your highness, on my own,
and a sorry traitor d0 | bold myself
Yet. madame, that which is a foot
secmcth to me 80 foul thing that |
had no longer esteemed myself gen
tlemau had /. Anthony Won Turgen,
not RIDDEN to warn yoG."
What is this wagnlng that keep
you gentleman yet makes you d
traitor7"
Lady. the prince. your father, ac-
compan,cd by the king Of Sa'hseuuprg.
Is on his way hither with thousand
men"
There was moments paus-. and
white grew the Princess Yola's checks
But despair not lady. You may
yet escape. leaving your castle gar
risuned. Bid your men hold out for u
month. and then surrender the smpty
nest to the prince. But, lady, YOU must
hasten. for he draws nearl"
Yola put her hand to her heart. and
looked about her with eyes that for a
moment told Of fear Then
"Here will remain" she said. ''un-
III these tyrants shall have starved
me 10 you save yourself. sir. and
take with you my 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 II was too late. The
princes force was within n couple OF
hundred yards. and could not sane
ton the lowering OF the bridge.
with a careless laugh Won Turren
dismounted and flung the reins to a
servant.
For a month sat the Prince Of Licht-
ensteln and the King Of Sachsenbere
besieglng us. and In my whole life
can recall no other month In which
k.tf .,,,,,b