The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-12-02
Fashion Cavalier

The knight of the Golden Helmet
rode briskly down the lane. His sword
made a pleasant clanking In the rusty
scabbard. which IL was never intended
to 1T. his eyes sparkled: his plumes
waved bravely In the breeze.
The general get-up Of the gentleman
OF the aureate headpiece was . trfne
startling. Upon his head was basket.
the handle beneath his chin and its
bottom Tor rather top In Its present
positionl decorated with the tail-festh-
ers OF an incautious rooster: about his
waist was a red sash stuck full OF
wooden dirks: from the left side OF
this sash half hung. half dragged the
naval sword In the old cavalry scah-
bard.
A rake handle answered the purpose
OF lance and bore as its pennon Q
nuttering. three-eornered piece of red
flannel: upon the knights fat. chubby
legs were fastened pieces of zinc. evil
IDENTIFY intended for greaves. The
stsed he bestrode was a crooked psecs
Of apple limb. with bit Of twine
about one end OF Il for reins.
II is probably quite as needless to
cite that. now the literature had been
absorbed. he thirsted for deeds of vaior.
Hence the rlde down the lane. and
-.ence the whoops. But very unsor.
tunately IL seemed TO be an OF day for
opportunities.
He had Just splashed through the
muddy pool where the cattle drank
each evening. and was eantering
blithely past the birches beyond. when
he saw a young man approaching-a
young man in nannels. very tall and
straight. pleasant faced. too. although
Just now the forehead was wrinkled
In q frown and the firm jaw was set
In determination. The young man was
puffing vigorously at the briar pipe
between his teeth. sending out great
blue clouds OF smoke in his wake.
The Knight OF the Golden Helmet
man before him with familiar;
Hey. CHARLIE"
Then. suddenly remembering the
dignity Of his position. he squared his
small shoulders and threw up his
chin.
What no, Charles." he corrected
his first SALVATION. Hold a bit
wouldst haze converse with thee"
The young man seemed aware for
the first time of the others presence.
Hello. Billy" said he. abstractedly
glancing at the queer figure before
him. What's up now"
II am the Knight of the Golden Hell.
met" was the grave response.
You don't say. Where are you
bound?"
where is thy LADY," the knight de
manded.
my lady7 You mean your Aunt
Margaret"
The knight nodded
Down the lane a bit. by the wal
nut trees. Know the place, aont
your"
| Sure" was the unknightly reply.
He drew a bit nearer; one hand
rested upon the hilt OF the sword.
why are you here. varlet?" he de-
manded. why hast thou deserted thy
lady?'
Huh" said the man In nannels.
Then he burst into laughter. but there
was Q certain grating noise in IL.
well. Billy-Mr. Golden Helmet.
mean-Pm here because she sent me.
Couldn't seem to endure my society
are you en-? And hardly think you're
correct IN calling her my lady. She
Just told me mighty plainly that she
wasn't"
Back you go. craven." he declared.
hatly.
Hun? What2" said the man In
the nannels.
Back you go, ride to the succor
Of ladies in distress"
Bully for you. old chap" the other
replied. Il think you'd better 60 alone
though"
Never" bawled the knight Turn
around"
See here" the young man began
irrttably. as he took a step forward /:
but at that moment they both heard
quick steps down the lane.
Around the bend came the lady under
discussion. She started violently al
the sight Of them. Her face was flush.
ed and her eyes wer suspiciously red
I've got him." shouted tho knigh,
toyously: hes in my power. He was
DESERVING you, but held him up. I'll
see he begs your pardon. II you say
So"
The young woman drew herself up
Her face was scarlet now.
Billy. what are you doing? What
10 the meaning OF this foolishness? p
she demanded.
Come on, you. APOLOGIZE" said
the youth sulkily. prodding the inma-
culate white trousers with the point of
his sword.
Margaret" he cried. he's right. I
should apologize. that's a fact. I'm q
pig-headed duffer. The quarrel IL my
iault-all mine"
Then came a few low words: a 1T
tie happy laugh from the girl. and
then two OF them strolled down the
lane together, utterly oblfyfous TO the
ridiculous figure which stood silently
watching them until they disappearsd
around the bend
The Knight OF the Golden Helmet
remained thus for some moments. lost
In thought. Then he turned about and
went slowly mp the lane.
"Gee." he muttered. wouldn't that
cook yer, This Amt the way they
done Il in the book"
He was still lost In his own mus
ings as. whoopless. be. passed again
the grazing cattle and the huddled
sheep.-BARRY PRESTON.
a punetuaI Bird.
What tempts the little hummins