Evening journal., 1909-08-16
Her Champion.
IOriginal.J


[OriginalJ
One evening IN June, 1914, when the
army Of King Charles /. Of England
was marching to attack the parliamen-
tary forces at Marston moor, Cavalier
riding along a country road heard the
voices Of women singing a Puritan
hymn AS he proceeded the sounds
grew nearer till at last, reaching a
country home, he saw a group Of wo-
men on the porch at their devotions.
Riding into the grounds, he threw him
self from his horse and, mounting the
steps, asked for some supper. The wo
men there were no men present; they
were all with CromwelD paid no atten-
ton to the soldier till they had finished
their evening service, when a girl Of
twenty invited him in and with her
own hands laid a supper for him.
The Cavalier was John Hinehelwood,
q younger son Of nobleman, but
twenty years old, a born soldier, and
knew no law save that of the army.
While the girl was laying the supper
he was feasting his eyes upon her.
And we'll he might Unlike the pre-
vailing type of Englishwomen. she was
a brunette, tall, willowy Of figure. with
large, lustrous eyes, while her face had
the finely chiseled beauty of cameo.
When the young soldier had finished
he arose from the table and said:
"Silver and gold l have none, but
IA 7 he. 4 ID 80.
Throwing his arms about her, he
held her in a tight grip and kissed her
again and again. Then, leaving her.
the blood burning in her cheeks and
her eyes flashing upon him in anger,
he went ou,, mounted his horse and
rode away. 1t was not long before he
heard a horse galloping behind him
and. turning, saw a boy riding toward
him.
''AIy sister," said the boy, sends this
word to you: You are a coward to at
tack q woman, and she expects that
you will return and give satisfaction
to one whom she may select as her
champion"
"Tell your sister" said the soldier,
that l am expecting a bigger fight
with the kings enemies, but when 1t
IS over. If come out alive, will do
her bidding
A few days later Hinchelwood,
wounded and exhausted with his part
in the battle at Marston moor. rode up
to the house Of the girl he had insult
ed. He found her on the porch. As
she looked upon him thus altered an
expression Of pity came into her face,
and she said:
IF you will apologize. sir, for your
brutal conduct you may go unpun-
ished."
THAT / will when have put a
sword hole through your champion.
I'll crave your pardon on my bended
knee"
I'm that case he viii meet you. II
is now 4 o'clock. At G you will find my
defender at the bridge half a mile VI
the road. He will teach you how tc
insult a weak woman
Il shall be pleased to kill him that
may step into his shoes as your de
fender. And after 1 have killed him
VIII champion you against all comers.'
The girl turned away, and Hinchel
r wood left the house. When the clocl
stood at @ he was waiting at tn
bridge. So exhausted was he that h
leaned against the rail for support
His wound had broken out and wa
bleeding afresh. Presently he saw
man coming on horseback. When b.
drew near. Hinchelwood noticed tha
he wore a helmet with the visor down
"Are you the lady's champion" h
asked.
/, Il am"
? Judging from your voice. you ar
, but boy. Take Off that old fashione,
I headpiece and let me see your face"
( My father fought in this armor, an
choose TO Go the same"
: Suppose refuse to fght an vi
e known enemy"
u zone who would insult a woma
r would likely take that ground"
a This was quite enough for Hinche
Q wood. He drew his sword, his enem
T. dismounted, and they took their pos
e tions. Hinchelwood said;
e Il conclude that you, being the ID
i dy's champion. are In her favor Bs
e ing ambitious to be first in her favo
i myself, | shall brook no rivals"
; These are fine words, sir We sha
see whether you will make them good.
= Hinchelwood made a thrust. whic
: was clumsily parried by his opponen
= Indeed, from the first it was evider
: that he was no swordsman. He stoo
continually on the defense and neve
: made a thrust till Hlnchelwood aske
e him II he was going TO let himself b
!. killed like a lamb. Then the VI
n known's sword point struck Hinche
is wood In the cuirass. At that momer
J. Hinchelwood saw the sky. the field
his enemy. swim before him IN circle
aud lie fell fl n faint.
The stranger, throwing down b
sword, uttered a cry and ran to b
u fallen enemy and raised his head, ;
r the same time throwing up the visor {
r his own helmet. Hinchelwood opene
n his eyes and started. He e,was lookir
into the face Of the woman he had Il
suited.
= Il have killed you," she moaned.
I. "Killed mel You couldn't kill fro
: It's my wound Of the battle receive
i from a giant Roundhead. But whi
!, means this absurdity? Thank heave
- I've not harmed you. Had killed "
I xv0uld hovQ Dlunopd my sword IN