Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-11-29
ll&5

Il tuSNtfeu.
0SS "Of course he is. l don't
N23ssJ doubt your pluck. Verrali
but you've had no practice"
Therefore there can be no dis
honor
"Sure. it's not the honor or dishonol
I'm thinking Of: it's the result. A
knight sent from Ehrym has got no
right to bite the dust at his first en-
counter, and as sure as you do you
won't have q friend among the lot Of
: them"
"A cheerful outlook" l said, with a
forced laugh. "What shall we fight
with-swords?
"Lances-a fierce charge across the
arena, and them
Dust biting" suggested.
Its no testing matter. This Vasca,
! hear, has never been worsted, and
rs no light game he'll play at this tour
nament, I warrant. If he can put an
end to your adventure, my boy, he
will. Have you ever used lancer"
II have learned how to handle one
since came here"
But have you ever charged at any
thing with it,"
mo"
"Then you don't know what a devils
toy it is to play with. There's only
one thing to be done-we must get out
of it somehow
when Is this tournament to beT'
AT once, tomorrow or the next day.
1t is only for the princess to decide"
There is court tonight"
Organ nodded.
Come, man, tighten your heart
little. We're not tied to the posts in
the square yet"
TITS question Of time, I'm think
ing. I'd feel a deal safer in Yada-
sara"
To say that had no plan in my
mind when attended court that night
would be untrue.
l was late arrival upon a more
than usually brilliant scene. Here in
Drussenland it was much the same as
at home, more color and freedom than
there would be at such function in
the old country, perhaps, but the same
foundation to both-political intrigue
and personal interest.
The first man l encountered was
Walen.
II have been waiting for you," he
said. There is mischief brewing. 1t
hangs in the air tonight. Vasca and
some Of his party have been pressing
round the princess ever since she came
in"
"And she is pleased with such at
tention?" asked
II could read neither pleasure nor
displeasure in her face. Few can read
her, Verrall, If she chooses that they
shall not
''That is true. Even a princess can
not help being woman"
"Vasca has a persuasive tongue, and
he is her kinsman. That counts for
something"
For much, my dear Walen. It is
difficult to refuse kinsman, and kins-
men, knowing this, take advantage
and ask hard things. l will learn
more Of this intrigue"
"And speak carefully" he cautioned.
"Much depends upon your caution
Who could know that better than I
did? Were confirmation needed it
came in the many glances directed to-
ward me as l made my way to the
top of the hall where Princess Daria
was.
"Sir Verrall!'
It was a woman who called me as
was making my way through the
crowd, and l could not refuse to an
swer her reckoning finger. She was
standing, one of little group OF
danes and cavaliers, tricked out most
tastefully, leaders Of fashion in the
court of Princess Daria. I knew the
woman, as meddlesome a little vixen
as existed.
SIS what we hear true?" she asked
as, bowling low, joined the party.
''Who would dare to speak anything
but the truth to the Lady Aldrida?"
''As ready as ever with words. Sir
yerrall." said young jackanapes. a