The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1911-04-10
teontlnued trom lsaturday.l

1PStAA AAA rtA4tS wei W us ECCunG4b. ~
was relief TO hear her voice break
the silence. She spoke softly, yet so
clearly that she must have been heard
even in the farthest corner "In these
days. however. 1t has pleased certain
of our subjects to speak bitterly Of one
who Is not prisoner one who came
to US and was welcomed by US as a
knight long expected in our land. The
Judgment that he was what he has
claimed to be rested not with US. Wis
dom greater than. ours declared his
coming to be propidous 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 CON-
mitted In our own palace, at our very
door, was this knight attacked while
he guarded our person. II the assas-
sims knife were raised against US,
then truly we and all our loyal sub
iects 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, it is our win 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 glorled in
that am your princess, gloried in the
brave hearts 1 rule, gloried in your
deeds, have been proud to cry to the
whole world that am princess in
Drussenland, but show me that you
are cravens. 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. 1 should think it shame to
call such men my subjects"
For moment there was silence:
then a murmur ran through the hall
and then 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, "and you, our
loyal knights. Speak honestly. and
you. Sir verrall, 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 a rather
Slngsong tone, as though he were re-
citing 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
into It That he should be mighty in
achievement believed, but with that
[ have nothing to do. My Office hin
deIs me from welding a sword, and,
though my heart may leap at the sight
of brave deeds, can have no part in
them. My Office is to watch over the
sacred things of this land, to punish
those who bring our great religion into
dlsrepute, giving occasion to those of
lesser intellect to revile and turn the
God we worship into jest,
"Your hlghness has broken a law,
and therefore your people have bro
ken law. Think you peace and
plenty shall be poured into the laps of
those who sin? l reJoiced at the
knights coming. so is my sorrow keen
er that he has made his mission Of
none effect. For him punishment
awaits at the hand Of him who sent
him. Our duty is not to delay his go
Ing. If 1t be so willed that as he
came miraculously so miraculously
can he be taken from US, then it shall
be. But death is the only means we
mortals know OF by which he can re-
turn. Therefore by death should we
seek pardon for ourselves. l would
my words could take a happier tone
If my eyes are blinded. If have not
read our laws Alright. then power viii
be granted to the knight to increase my
wisdom. wish not to condemn him
unheard. 1t IS not that condemn him