Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-04-20

"You have been long in coming.
What has your study taught your
One priest, a chief among them, but
not the one who had questioned me
yesterday, stepped forward.
Through the night and through the
day have we studied, and we know
that you are the true knight"
1 bowed, and Organ whispered
"Good business" as he bent his knee
before me. 1t sounded a strange sole
cism and nearly upset my gravity.
Tonight is a vigil" continued the
priest. Tomorrow the most valorous
in deeds shall buckle on your harness
and your sword. See you be a faithful
knight. Attend your MASTER" he add
ed to Organ.
We formed In procession, and as we
left the hall the priests began to chant
a weird melody. We went down a
long wide corridor which was lined
with soldiers and at the end. descend
ing a fight Of steps, entered a chapel.
Organ was not allowed to follow me.
l went in with the priests alone. and
the doors were closed.
The chapel was full of knights
standing, and at one side l saw the
princess, who rose from her seat as !
entered.
Two priests led me to the foot of the
steps OH which the altar stood, and by
the altar was the chisf priest, he who
questioned me yesterday. As % as
I hod Enolt no hovan tn chant n nrov
err, a kind of litany. in which the other
priests joined. The litany ended. there
was a chant in praise OF the Being
who ruled mans destiny, and other
prayers. all chanted. followed.
Then the chief priest, standing be-
fore the altar, faced me and began a
long eXhortation to me. | was in
structed to lay aside all the wicked
ness in me and during the night of
vigil to prepare myself for my great
mission. Other knights had kept the
vigil and had beer faithful. but l was
different to other knights in that by
special command of Khrym, who ruled
the d~estinies of the land. l had come
to bring victory to the cause of right
and to stamp out all %vileness.
Through your day. Sir knight. be
faithful and when your evening comes
lie down under the shadow of the
great mountain. Sunset and sunrise
shall not disturb your slumber until
one morn sunrise kissing the mighty
hills shall awaken you in a new land
where warriors rest and sunset comes
not"
All night long I knelt before the al
tar. keeping my vigil. | welcomed the
first light of dawn that crept into the
chapel and began to listen for coming
footsteps.
At last Il flourish Of trumpets sound
ed. The doors were opened. and | was
led by the priests into the council hall
where the knights were assembled.
They welcomed me with a salute Of
drawn swords, and those who had
been chosen beforehand. all men val.
liant in arms. buckled on my harness
until l stood clothed In complete steel.
On my breast vas a raised device. IA
star in silver. and Il like star was upon
my helmet. With a shout the knights
accepted me as a comrade in arms.
This ceremony over. we left the hall.
and in the courtyard horses were be-
Ing led by pages. Organ stood beside
mine, and l noticed that he had a serv-
iceable sword at his side.
"All goes WELL" he whispered as I
mounted. and a look Of relief came into
his face when he saw that l knew how
to manage a horse.
Through the gates we went to the
camp. A large body Of soldiers was
drawn up in an open space. evidently
awaiting our coming. and as we ap-
preached Princess Daria came toward
us. Being instructed by one of my
comrades. | ~dismounted and went to
meet her, and, drawing my sword.
gave 1t to her. holding 1t by the blade
and presenting to her the hilt. She
took 1t from me and as | knelt laid 1t
lightly across my left shoulder. saying:
Rise. Sir knight. Knight of the Sill
yer Star. Thrice welcome are you. See
you be a faithful knight
She returned me the sword. and nj.
though | had not been told to do so I
kissed 1t before I sheathed 1t. She
smiled. and Count Vasca. who stood
beside her. frowned. What did his
frown signify now? We were both