Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-20
PRINCESS MARTHA
BY PERCY BREBNER.
T SONY
BY PERCY BREBNER.
Copyright. 1908. T. J. Mcbride Z Son.,

fires. So the leaders encouraged. and the
| men believed and were content.
Ellerey still remained in the angle of the
| wall, endeavoring to attract little atten-
| ton as possible. Were he seen and recog-
niZed some position of command was likely
| to be thrust upon him. and this he was most
| anxious to avoid. His place was beside
| Martha when she came. One spoke
to him. asking him what orders he had re-
ceived.
ITO protect the princess" he answered.
The man gave him a friendly nod. and
! Ellerey conceived that to certain men some
such command had been given, and that
| his answer was happy one.
From the opposite side of the square
| came the crack of rifles again. quickly an
| swered. The rebels were well armed. and,
whatever the issue. the struggle was to be
| a desperate one. Here was loose rebble
| to turn and~fee. but enthusiasts bent on
disputing every inch Of the way.
| "Cha-ge!' came order from the dis
tance. and there followed the sudden growl-
| ing OF conflict Yonder the battle had be-
| gun in earnest, and moment later a roar
| of triumph proc laimed that the soldiers had
been thrust back. There was wisdom in
| making them fight in narrow streets.
| 1t was difficult for Eilerey to remain
| where he was. Fighting was going forward,
| and the spirit of the soldier in him made
! him restless to take his Part in it. His
| hand was upon his sword. when suddenly
| a great roar of voices from every side
seemed to shake the square: Again and
|
| storm waves lashing a shore. There was
! quick movement round the statue of Fer
| dinand, a frantic waving OF arms, and then
| the mighty roar became articUlate.
| Martha, Maritza.'
! She had come among tiiem-a warrior.
| even as her fathers were: 1t was fitting that
her name should resound over Sturatzberg.
| Charger
Again the distant command again the
| fierce cries and grooming of conflict. and
still the rebel ranks remained unhroken:
again the soldiers were beaten down and
driven back Martha rad come and that
meant victory. The belief was deep seated
in the heart of every man.
| From what point she had entered the
| square Ellerey could not determine, but in
a few moments he saw her She was
| standing on the steps of the statue, a pa
| thetic. yet SIN heroic figure She was still in
| her boys dress, her bright Curls falling
! loosely from under her cap. She said some
! thing which Ellerey could not hear. and
| then the shouting broke out again Men
| ran to join their comrades. impatient only
| for opportunity 10 strike a blow at the foe.
| leaving the princess in the midst of little
| band, evidently picked hodygrard. among
them Baron Petersen and Dumitru.
For moment Eierey watched her, She
had come. There was no sign Of fear III
her face: how should there be? Did he not
| know her courage? When had Martha
ever failed when the time for action ar
rived? Had he not full reason to know
] what a splendid cOmrade she was in
| tight place? All these who shouted her
| name were her comrades: was it likely she
| would desert them in the hour of their
need? And this was the woman he loved,
| the woman who loved him-yes, in that in
| slant all doubt seemed to fade into knowl-
| edge. Almost he fanced that her quick
| glance sought him In that striving crowd.
! and. not finding, that disappointment touch
ed her heart. Oh. 1t was good to be loved,
even for one short hour, by such woman
| this.
His sword was naked in his hand as he
| no
| dered his way to her.
Desmond Eilerey-' she cried. wondrous
| light glowing in her eyes as she stretched
out her hand to him.
AT your service and command, princess,
| he answered.
| In her glad cry at his coming he heard
| the confession of her love: he read 1t In
| her eyes yet he did not call her Martha.
! Today. indeed, she claimed the address Of
sovereignty.
| II thought perhaps you would not come
! she said in lower voice. You do not love
my cause"
To-day stand fall for it, princess"
| he said aloud: "because-'
''Desmond"'
Because 1 love YOU" he whispered.
1t was said. 1t had to be said now. lest
| she should never know. for this day was
day Of battle. and. before evening" ears
might be deaf and lips silenced forever.
For moment longer she held his hand in
! hers. and then. fearing. perhaps, that others
about her might see some preference In her
welcome. she cried aloud:
"Ah. God must surely destine me for
victory. He has given me SO many brave
and true men,!
The roar of conflict was not confined to
one side of the square now. Street after
street took up the fight The soldiers were
attacking from every quarter. The sharp
command to charge rang out more often.
and the sudden growl Of the hand Ito hand
struggles was fiercer and longer and more
continuous. Here and there was an omi-
nous bending inward Of a mass OF defend
ers, but it was Strengthened again by mere
force of numbers.
"They want more men there" SAID Ellery,
pointing with his sword to one place.
Martha gave a quick order to man
! near her. and Immediately other men were
hurrying to strengthen the position.
who commands" asked Ellery, turning
to the baron.
1.-The princess" was the answer.
"A dozen leaders fight for me-, said
Martha: but 1 look to you and the baron
to advise me-.
What forces have you in the city beside
| these?" Ellery asked turning to Petrescu
Many are hurrying to join us, he
| answered.
And will have to fight their way to us
| said Ellery. I'VE must hold the square at
all COSTS for see no line of retreat"
Retreat" exclaimed Martha. There is
no retreat for me. Today makes me queen
in Wallaria or nothing.
Still. princess. momentary retreat
might save the day.
I'VE have no way of retreat. captain"
said Petrescu and the look in his face told
E.llery plainly enough that, loyal as he was,
he had little hope OF success. ''Circum-
stances have forced matters to an issue,
and we must stand or fall as the fates
decide"
The rattle of musketry was now con-
tinuous on all sides. and for those who fell
there was little help or thought friend and
foe alike tfampling them to death In the
| struggle. More than once soldiers, thrust
forward by those behind them. had broken
through the ranks of the defenders. only to
be shot or stabbed before they could re-
cover themselves. Again the rushes were
stopped and repulsed. but still they were
made with unabated fury. and Ellery saw
that each one was more determined. more
diffcult to meet than the last. Constantly
that omnous bending inward was only
Strengthened with great effort.
Presently he touched the baron on the
shoulder. and pointed to one street where,
| In the distance mounted men could be seen.
IT have wondered why they did not use
them" said Eiery.
1.-The streets are narrow for Them" said
Petrescu.
True. but il only dozen break through
ha copfu m