The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-01-24
FROM TOURNEIL TO PALESTINE.
A Story of the ChiIdren's Crusade.
BY ETA CLARK.

The following original story, written
by Miss Eta Clark, of Denver, Colorado
was awarded the annual prize of $40 in
gold offered to the students of the West
Denver High School by The Heraldo,
the official organ Of the Denver schools.
This is the first time the prize has been
awarded to junior, which makes it all
the more gratifying to Miss Clark and
her friends. Miss Eta is but sixteen
years old, the daughter of Mrs. w. P.
Clark, formerly of Leon.
Centuries ago large castle stood
near the village of Tourneil. Situated
upon woody hill, it guarded the I'M
broken plains which swept about it until
they met the horizon. The castle itself
was huge pile OF dark gray stone with
high battlements and gloomy dungeons.
For many decaues it had been the nome
oi the DeLacys OF Tournell. The pres
ent heir to the estate was Hubert, a boy
OF fifteen, who played all day in the
courtyard with his twin sister, Hide
Sarde. Their only guardians were
Rollo The squli e and an old Srett-auut
Eight years before, the uhiidren's father
Sir llooert, one OF the best and bravrsJ
knights III France, had ridden away wiCD
party OF lrieuus wearing Crusader )
cross. 10 his squire he entrusted his
children While he fought for the rescue
OF the Holy Sepulchle. IN time the
other knights returned, but Sir robert
did not accompany them. He had fought
by their side IN a battle with the Sara
Gems, but in the heat Of conflict had dis
appeard and no Jidings had ever been
received OF HIN.
"Wnen I'm man. said Hubert. ri
shall go TO Syria To lind my father
Inc lad was strong and sturdy, a
typical DeLacy, Hildegarde, golden
haired and dark-eyed, was like her dead
English mother. One bright spring
morning when they had walked 1ogeth, /
to Tourneil, the little village seemed
completely deserted until they reached
the market. place. There tall boy
stood in the midst Of crowd who hung
GREATNESS on his every word. III,
brother and sister joined them and be.
gan to listen.
why did the Christians fail to con
quer the Moslems?' he said. They had
great armies, brave knights, and the
wealth OF Europe. Why should they
fail? Their hearts were full of sin. Be.
to hold the sacred city. The lives OF
children are pure. Christ said, Suffer
little children to come unto me and for.
bid them not He himself has called us
to rescue his holy grave from the in.
tidels. Who dares to follow where he
leads? Who, pinning on His emblem
the cross, will march to Jerusalem, sing.
ing the chant Of the First Crusaders
! ~ n II q "
and behold the Liberator who comes tt
break thy chains! Who dares?'
81 dare, shouted hun Ire d voices, as
boy, demanding the tiny white crosses
task. Among them were Hubert and
aunt Clotilde positively refused to al
They coaxed and they pleaded, but all
base" was aunt Clotilde. SO Hubert
planned an escape. He told Hildegarde
nothing If his intentions as he did not
wish her to go with him.
"a girl cannot fight he said scorn-
fully to himself, "she had better stay at
home with her dolls"
By secret passage leading to the
drawbridge many a DeLacy had fled for
{ his life when the castle was besieged
and by this passage Hubert proposed to
set out upon quest. One dark night he
cautiously crossed the great hall, fear
ing to awaken the pages who slept upon
the rushes strewn before the fireplace.
Opening narrow panel in the wall, he
stepped into the passage. The ground
and walls were damp and Shiny and the
air was damp and oppressive. A sudden
fear clutched the boy and he ran blindly
until he stood out under the stars. A