The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-08-11
The Knight
of the
Silver Star

dom greater than ours declared his
coming to be propitious to our state,
and in arms he has borne himself gal
lantly, as many a valiant warrior can
here attest. Yet some among us have
spoken bitterly of him, and more
have. in their hearts, condemned him
without hearing. That is indeed in
justice.
"But worse offense has been COM
mitted. In our own palace, at our very
door, was this knight attacked while
he guarded our person. III the assas-
sins knife were raised against us,
then truly we and all our loyal sub
jects owe this knight thanks for his
protection of us. If, as some affirm,
the attack was made upon the knight
then are there some among us whom
It would be well to stamp out, since
for lack of courage they seek to muir
der and are no true Drussenlanders.
We know that the hand which held
the knife was not the hand of him
who devised the crime. The tool paid
dearly for his part, and so In good
time shall they who planned and who,
to screen themselves from our anger,
silenced forever the guards who could
have betrayed them Now we are
here not to judge, nor Of our wish is
this council called together. 1t is by
the wish of the knight you have ac-
cused; not all of you, but some. Only
vaguely has he heard the charges
brought against him, and, since there
can be no steady answer to vague ru-
NOR, 1t is our will that you who have
aught to say speak and that the knight
shall answer you. You who listen,"
and she swept her arm round to in
clude every upturned face in the hall
"you who listen give patient hear
ing. We seek not to guide you, but
be honest men, not fools of passion to
be led by every one who tries to move
you. Be Drussenlanders, not wretches
making our street corners dangerous,
men ready to creep In the dark and
stab from behind. / have gloried In
that I am your princess, gloried In the
brave hearts | rule, gloried in your
deeds, have been proud to cry to the
whole world that l am princess In
Drussenland, but show me that you
are crayens, men afraid to meet their
enemy face to face, and | will fling
this golden circle of my sovereignty
among you. Make whom you will
your ruler should think it shame to
call such men my subjects"
For a moment there was silence;
then a murmur ran through the hall
and then a great roar. She had touch
ed them. Dexterously she had paved
the way for me.
"You, our priests, have somewhat
against the knight" she said when the
shouting had ceased, land you, our
loyal knights. Speak honestly, and
you Sir VERBAL, answer honestly, so
Justice shall be done"
She looked first at the chief of the
priests, then at Count Vasca and then
at me.
The priest began to speak In rather
Iingsong tone, as though he were re-
citing a lesson he had committed to
memory.
1.-THE expected knight was to do
many things in Drussenland,' he said.
He was to bring peace and plenty
nto it, That he should be mighty In
achievement | believed. but with that
have nothing to do. My Office hin
iers me from welding Il sword, and,
though my heart may leap Mt the sight
If brave deeds, l can have no part i'll
hem. My Office IS to watch over the
,acred things of this land. to punish
hose who bring our great religion into
iisrepute, giving occasion to those of
esser intellect to revile and turn the
God we worship into Il jest.
"Your highness has broken IA law,
md therefore your people have bro
zen law. Think you peace and
plenty shall be poured into the laps of
hose who sin? | rejoiced at the
Knights coming, so is my sorrow keen
.r that he has made his mission of
zone effect For him punishment
waits at the hand of him who sent
him. Our duty Is not to delay his 60
ng. If it be so willed that as he
zane miraculOusly so miraculously
AN he be taken from us, then 1t shall
%. But death is the only means we
nortals know of by which he can re
urn. Therefore by death should we
seek pardon for ourselves. | would
my words could take a happier tone.
If my eyes are blinded, II | have not
.ead our laws Alright, then power Will
)e granted to the knight to increase my
wisdom. | wish not to condemn HIM
lnheard. 1t is not | that condemn nm
it is our religion which does so.
"For my own part, | had rather re
main silent" said Count Vasca. 1T
may seem envious In me to seek to
condemn a knight who in tournament
has met me honestly and in the fed
has fought valiantly. Indeed, | speak
only for the many as chief OF the
Knights who attend your highness.'
"That we know, Sir Vasca," said the
princess. looking f1xedly ut him.
She did not take her eyes from him
while he spoke. Perhaps he saw dis
trust in them, for, after beginning so
humbly, he went on bitterly enough
"The priest has spoken of the laws
With them l have nothing to do, but
since the priests and | have been of