The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-10
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 the Burgundians hurried preparations to march against De la Marek and I,iege Louis was permitted to send to his ter ritories for forces-for knights enough tD make him a useful ally, and not enough to make him dangerous rival.
 Eagerly the Duke oi Burgundy presse forward for the fight. Only one thing did he permit to interfere with his prepara tons for war, and that was to try again to force the Countess Isabelle to marry. But she resisted so desperately, vowing that she would flee to a convent that at last he cried out, half in anger and half in admiration: Well, theni Your fate shall be decided according to the ancient rules of chiyalry. He that brings us the head of the Wild Boar shall claim your hand of us! And if you deny his right he snail have your domains and allow you what he pleases to live on in a conventi'
 Her remonstrances were drowned in a general acclaim, and in a few days the united forces moved from Peronne toward Liege in splendid array.
 Before the troops had passed from the city gate Qunetin Outward, who was riding with the Scotch Archers, received a billet sent him in secret by Isabelle. She conveyed to him the astounding news that the Countess Hameline had consoled the Wild Boar by marrying him in place of her niece; and she added the still more important tidings that De la Marek had determined to fight in the coming battle disguised in the armor of the duke of Orleans to deceive his enemies, who other wise would all set on him.
 Quentin felt his heart leap with a wild hope. His possession of the secret gave him an immense advantage over all pos sible rivals Hardly had the assault of q he n ha van looking for the well-known crest. At last he spied 1t in the midst of the fierce foot soldiery known as Lanzknechte who surrounded the knight in their centre with their spears as with an iron wall.
 Supported by his uncle. Le Balafre anu a few of his fellows, Quentin spurred at the phalanx Bit by bit they llewed their way through the bristling lances and they were approaching the knight when sud- denly his men broke and pressed him back in retreat with them.
 Quentin followed hard and at last brought him to bay at the brink of great wall. There stood the huge figure, dealing death with a mighty iron mace and so covered with blood that it was almost impossible to see his armor Quen- tin closed. Le Baafre roared to the rest to stand away and give both fair play. The steel-elad figure swung his mace like lightning and Quentins utmost efforts served not to reach the Wild Boar with a finishing stroke though the ruffiian was tiring perceptbly and the ground where he stood was reddening with his bod.
 Suddenly there came an outburst of fighting that rolled along the street and swept between him and his prey When he cleared himself from the throng there was no sight of the man whom he had almost beaten.
 Utterly cast down Quentin at last de- cf..1 1... 10 the cathedral, where, after mass had been said, Charles and Louis proceeded to hear the claims of those who had per formed especial services during the battle
 Many produced trophies, such as hel- nets, shields boars' heads and similar tokens in virtue of which they claimed the honor of having Killed De la Marck and demanded the prize. There was wrangling and confusion throughout the cathedral when Lord Crawford pressed to the front and flung on the floor the bloody head of the Wild Boar.
 Tt was delivered to me by Ludoyic Lesiy," said he, whom we call Balafre He did not know whom he had killed He knew only that 1t was a knight whom his nephew had nearly dispatched and to whom he gave merely the finishing blow He is noble; but he cares not for mar rage, and he begs to resign his preten- sions to his maternal nephew. by whom the Wild Boar was actually brought to bay"
 T will vouch for that youths services and prudence,' said King Lewis, over- joyed that fate had drowned so gallant a prize to one over whom he thought ne might have some influence. Without his prudence and vigilance we had been de- feated. It was he who discovered night sally of the enemy that would have over whelmed our camp ere we were ready
 "l owe him some reparation then for having doubted his faith till now, said Charles.
 And l can attest his gallantry as a said Dunois.
 He is descended from that Outward who was High Steward of Scotland" said Lord Crawford.
 Nay, if it be young Durward," said Crevecoeur, T say no more. Fortune has declared herself on his side too plainly"
 We have yet to inquire said Charles what the fair laJy's sentiment may be toward this fortunate adventurer"
 By the mass" said Crevecoeur, 10 VI Nhom it had fallen to take his young kinswoman in charge after she entered Peronne, 'I have but too much reason to believe that your Grace will find her more amenable to authority than on q former occasion!''
 Next Sundays one-page classic wil' he "Undine,' by De La Hottie Fouque.