Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-04-13
The KmigmG
Of the
Silver Star
A Romance OF
Drmssemlam@
BY PERCY DREBNnR
copyright. 1907. by r. F. Fenno &

r. was still early when we started
anon our Journey. Two men were sent
an in front and told to keep a sharp
.ookout. the Others fell to the rear. and
o,Ryan and l rode alone.
what am / to expect at the end of
chi, ~journey?' asked presently.
"Faitb. that's more than | a tell
ne every man for himself here. and
vouu find your life pretty much what
you make it."
..That sounds promising"
.ob there's plenty of promise. It's
some of the fulfillment I'm waiting for
RS all very well to I've back in the
middle ares and feel like the hero of
. bovs' story book. but it wants pay
Ing for"
Then the legend is true, or partly
frue?' | said.
q don't know anything about the
,ecend or how these people came here.
ANYWAY, here they are n engaged
In as pretty n piece of war as poor old
ireland has ever suffered from. There
are two factions in the country. the
kings party and the rebels. who are
headed by n relation of his-Princess
Daria. Those who fight for the prin.
cess fight chiefly for love of her. which
is all very well in its way. but not
attractive to the adventurer who hopes
some day to go home and enjoy him
self. The king, on the other hand.
nays his soldiers, and, not having
enough men in the country to fight
his cause, he has got in a few foreign
ers to help them. I'm one Of the for
eigners. We have all beer brought in
secretly, and not a man jack OF US
knows his way out"
"Does the king pay we'll"
81 think he would if he could, but
his lack of the necessary troubles
me-" Organ answered.
"Then how does he manage"
much as they do at home-makes
promises and pays for the accommo-
dations. That's not a new trick. 1t
was an old fashioned one in the days
of ancient Babylon. The king. as a
matter of fact. expects to find a treas-
ure. We were looking for signs Of 1t
when you came. l expect the treasure
is where the legendary part of the
story comes in"
"You found nothing Of itY"
"Not a cent. Still. my undertaking
the mission means promotion when !
return"
"And with a prisoner too"
81 would sooner have had a bit of
the treasure to take back" he an
swered bluntly. II don't deny that
shall try to make something for my
self out of bringing you back"
How will you explain my coming?'
asked.
1t was well that l should know how
to speak best for myself. To look
after No. 1 seemed to be the creed of
the country.
II shall tell the truth" he continued.
There is no lie to equal it. I'm glad
you're a big. healthy looking fellow
We don't take much notice of weak
lings. As long Is n man has a mighty
arm the size of his brain doesn't mat
ter"
The mountains on either side of us
narrowed as we went on until We
were presently passing through a de
file that a few resolute men coult
have held against an army. noticed
that Organ quickened his pace ant
became silent for a time.
The defle came to an end suddenly
and we came out OF to a broad roat
which swept round the slopes OF tn
lower hills. An exclamation of aston
ishment and admiration burst from m,
lips. Away from the road the hills
green clad and wooded. undulated t
level country, which stretched ava,
for miles. Green pastures. arabic land
clusters Of rough stone dwellings her
and there, a river glinting In the sun
light and woody hollows made as fai
a landscape as one could wish to SEE
Cattle were feeding below us, and
saw some women moving about tn
dwellings at the foot of the hill.
Your first real glimpse of Drusser
land" said Organ.
rs that how you call the cOuntry?'
Il didn't christen 1t, but that's tn
name of it."
1T is very beautiful" said, IAN
doesn't look as If 1t were the seat
war"
Things have been rather quiet lat
~, probably because there's a stori
brewing. You see those women? W.
men do most OF the work just now b,
cause all the men are under arms o
one side or the other"
And are unprotected ONE safe
such times?'
We'll, | won't go quite SO far Is
say that, but there is a rough sort {
saliantry among us that compares fai
y well with that of civilized nation
when war Is the order of the day"
The legend says the women a
Beautiful
And, by st. Patrick. the legend
rignt so far! If ! ever get back to Ir
hnd there'll bp moments when sha