The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-04-12
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E-.-l | had almost forgotten what
occasioned the gift until rudely re-
minded by Walen as we left the ball
together.
81 fear you have played into Vasca's
hands, Verrall,' he said.
cor he into mine
TRUE, or he into yours. 1t is diff
cult to Judge"
knowing so little of me, you would
say" went on. putting, | knew, his
thoughts into words. MY dear Wa
len. | ask only fair field and no IA
vor A few true friends and a good
cause and success is half won"
MEN fall i'm good cause, VeTall."
"To prove that it is good to those
who remain" | answered.
III news gets abroad quickly, and
organ had heard what had taken
place before joined him.
Overall. you're an almighty fool.
Sure. it's sorry | am to be compelled
to tell you the truth"
Il don't fancy you've succeeded in
doing II now. There was nothing for
Il but n bold move. Vasca had de-
termined to force me into this fight
and to leave no loophole for escape.
Better surely to grip the situation firm
" and trust To luck"
Luck" he exclaimed. II know what
vasca can do. You don't"
G 81 very soon SHALL
ard like to change places with you"
Organ said
"a piece of national concelt. My
lance play may be as good as yours"
"Sure, that's not it at all. The one
who fights dies fighting; the one who
is left dies there. I'm the one who's
left. That is what troubles me-" And
he waved his hand toward the square.
Its bad sign when man barks
as loudly as Nasca does" | said.
"rhat's sound enough argument
when civilization has knocked half the
fighting power out of man, but it's
Just meaningless here. In Drussen-
land man daren't bark unless he can
bite. I'd give good deal to be back in
Yadasara. The place is full of black
guards, to be sure, but they're black
guards you can UNDERSTANDINGS of
these tournament businesses and non
sense of that kind"
There We're three days of waiting
before the tournament, three days in
which | had to steel myself to behave
calmly, as usual. three days during
which could hardly remain still for
q moment.
The day dawned bright and sunny.
but with a keenness in the air which
perhaps my nervous excitement exag-
gerated. | woke early and never, sure
ly, have hours been so leaden winged
as they We're that morning.
I'VE will not be the first to arrive"
said O'Ryan. curbing my Impotence.
at would only be to show anxiety"
(Which. of course, we do not feel"
] said. with a nervous laugh.
We waited in silence until it was
the camp.
Plentiful n the accommodation in
the lists had seemed to me. ii was evil
IDENTITY not too much. Every seat, ev-
cry point of vantage had been taken.
There were two entrances reserved for
the knights who were to take part in
the days proceedings. facing each 9th
er and shut off from the arena by a
barrier which was only opened to let
a knight pass in to combat.
On one side of the lists was gallery,
in which We're the marshal and his
heralds, and opposite a similar gallery.
where Princess Daria sat with her ret.
inue. Ny eyes Were riveted on this
gallery, but | could not tell whether
she had noticed me or whether she
looked anxious or Indifferent.
Your time approaches, Verrall,"
said Organ looking to the harness of
my horse.
The trumpets sounded and roar
OF welcome came from a thousand
Threats. Other combats had excited,
but my entrance heralded the perform
ance which had brought this crowd to
gether. As rode past the gallery the
marshal and his attendants rose to
give me courteous welcome. So had
they risen TO each knight as he en-
tered the lists. but there was keener
criticism i'm their eyes as they rose TO
me. Some friends | had among them,
some enemies | could probably have
divided friends from foes by the ex.
preston on their faces. | kept my
horse well in hand. i had no desire
now to show of CALAMITY. The bust
ness before me was too serious and
might all too soon give the lie to my
warlike appearance. Slowly walked
the horse round the lists until | was
opposite the gallery in which Princess
Daria sat
The princess rose. and saluted her
gravely, wondering II at that moment
the same thought ran through both our
brains-the thought OF the handker-
chief which she had given and which
even then was lying close TO my heart
Then rode back and stood beneath
the marshal's gallery.
"Heralds. sound the challenge OF the