New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-04-19
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IAN goes weIi,' he whispered as |
mounted and look of relief came into
his face when he saw that knew how
to manage 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, I dismounted and went to
meet her, and, drawing my sword.
gave it to her, holding it by the blade
and presenting to her the hilt. She
took it from me and as knelt laid tt
lightly across my left shoulder. saying:
"Rise, Sir Knight, Knight Of the Sill
yer Star. Thrice welcome are you. See
you be faithful knight"
She returned me the sword, and al
though l had not been told to do SO
kissed it before I sheathed it. She
smiled, and Count Vasca, who stood
beside her. frowned. What did his
.rown signify now? We were both
! nights! .-.s.. -.... ...-..#
1t was a day of rejoicing in the town
and in the camp. Much feasting was
there, and in great hall the knights
sat down to revelry. The comrade
who had instructed me in the morning
sat beside me, and I soon found that
he hated the counter, as he called
him, Vasca, Knight of the Red Cloud.
Each knight had some such distinctive
title, my comrades being Walen,
Knight of the Black Stone.
"Vasca rules the feast" he said. HE
would like to rule the land"
'You do not love him?" I asked.
II know him for a valiant soldier"
was the careful answer.
"And are there many who love him?"
1--WE are equally divided, else Vasca
would not rule the feast as he does
tonight"
The count had risen not too steadily
to propose new toast, when. without
any warning, the doors were thrown
open, and the princess entered. The
knights stood up in surprise. Never
before, so I learned, had she honored
7 such banquet.
She advanced to the head Of the
table, and, calling for a cup Of wine,
held it at arms length.
"Your princess gives you a toast:
To the Knight of the Silver STAR
Every cup was drained, and the prin-
cess left the hall. The count resumed
his seat, a black scowl upon his face,
and the feast was ended. The two
parties were more distinct than ever.
for, while some of the knights left the
hall with me, others gathered round
Vasca, looking as angry as he did.
"The princess has made him your
enemy for all time" said Walen.
"The silver star shall shine through
the red cloud" said.
"And there are swords in plenty to
help" said one, drawing his weapon
little and sending it home again with
q clash.
Swords in plenty" they said in
chorus.
Quarters overlooking the square
were assigned to me and my esquire.
Organ. had sought adventure, and
certainly had found it.
paid assiduous attention to my
military duties in the camp, looked
sharply after the men who were my
!. especial charge and in my leisure
Ahours took lessons from Organ in the
2 manipulation Of a sword. l knew
something of the art of fencing, but it
assisted me little in sword exercise as
understood by my worthy esquire.
The days passed into weeks slowly,
vet not monotonously. l worked hard
in the camp and with Organ perfect
ing myself in the use Of the weapons
of the Drussenlanders.
I returned from council one day
more anxious than usual. On enter
ing my apartments I found Organ
waiting for me impatiently.
"You look depressed. You have
heard the news?
. "What news" asked. .''
''That tournament is to be held in
your honor
"No. I have heard nothing Of it,
"It's bad news, Verrall the first
conspiracy against you," said Organ.
'"They are going to put you to the test
too soon for my liking"
"Tell me all about it," said.
"They were full of it in the court
yard this morning." Organ answered.
Faith, you were not wanting in sup
porters, I admit, and 1 had to buster
with the best Of them to keep up ap-
pearances but it was heavy heart
ho1 G bottom
of it. He will challenge you and
makes no secret Of his opinion that
you are an impostor and that you will
60 down before his skill like a dead
branch Topped off by the storm"
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