The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-05-08

The priest began to speak IN a rather
singsong tone. as though he were re-
citing a lesson be had committed to
memory.
The expected knight was 10 do
many things in Drussenland," be said.
He was to bring peace and plenty
into it. That he should be mighty in
achievement | believed. but with that
l have nothing to do My office hin
ders NE from welding 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
disrepute, giving occasion to those of
lesser intellect TO reyile and turn the
God we worship into jest.
Your highness has broken law.
and therefore your people have bro
ken law. Think you peace and
plenty shall be poured into the laps Of
those who sin: | 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 1t 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. | would
my words could take happier tone.
If my eyes are blinded. If have not
read our laws Alright, then power will
be granted to the knight to increase my
wisdom. l wish not to condemn him
unheard 1t Is not that condemn him
it Is our religion which does so
For my own part, / had rather re-
main silent" said Count Vasca. ut
may seem enviOus in me to seek to
condemn a knight who in tournament
has met me honestly and in the field
has fought valiantly. Indeed. l speak
only for the many rs chief OF the
knights who attend your highness."
! THAT we know, Sir Vasca," said the
| princess, looking fixedly at him.
| She did not take her eyes from him
while he spoke. Perhaps he saw dis
/ tIuSl III tlSlI, IOl. tCi ~
/ humbly, he went on bitterly enough:
1.-The priest has spoken Of the laws.
| With them | have nothing to do. but.
| since the priests and | have been Of
! ten at variance, in that we are agreed
| in this matter proves the justice Of
our complaint The knight was to &C
complish two things with which | am
| conference.-the place your highness on
the throne in Yadasara and to find a
treasure that should bring plenty to
our land blame not that these
| things are not yet accomplished, but
that nothing has been done We are
at present divided country. and
whichever side finds the treasure wins
also the throne in Yadasara. These
foreign dogs the king has brought into
this land would leave him tomorrow
were they paid for doing so. and there
are hundreds of men in this city who
would march to Yadasara tomorrow
were the treasure in the kings hands
! The time is ripe TO win or to lose. fol
success or rebellion. They expected
much of Sir Verrall's coming. They
believe they are doomed to disappOint
ment, therefore they cry out. Though
as a true Drussenlander. l have nc
pity for those who attacked the knight
when he stood your highness' senti
mel, still | affirm that he has only him
self to blame. If he is the expected
knight let him fulfill his mission; Il
not let him answer for the lie which
made US give him welcome"
a murmur of appreciation sounded
through the hall. Then all eyes turn
| ed toward me. l found courage IL
the look that was in the princess eyes
as she turned to me.
AZ am accused Of breaking a law OF
Of causing your highness to break 1t,
| said, 1T is true That l succeeded
though with difficulty. as YOU. who
heard me make my petition, know
we'll, is the greatest good | have &C
complished since | have been In Drus
senland | will tell you why. Your
priest said If he had judged amiss
should have power to increase MS
wisdom. That power l have, l wisl
him power to understand, and mo-
only the priest, but all you who heal
me- From whence | came you do no
know You have a legend which yoI
look TO be fulfilled. and at my coming
YOU welcomed me. Think you fulfill
ment comes exactly as men expect
The priests have wisdom. and the!
prophesy. but | came into Drussen
land from a more enlightened country
where the wisdom of your priests
would be but as the idle prattling o
a child. This law of yours that pris
oners Of war shall be slain wa
framed when men knew little Of hin
they worshiped This he bids me tel
you-that to kill men as You wOul'
kill your prisoners IS murder. In tina
the priests prophesy disaster 70 thi
: land because that law is broken the,
err most grtevously. ! prophesy peac
for this land If you let mercy rule yo1
rather than vengeance. fear moth
ing Of what y"u can do to me Death
What Is it: y moment in time tina
. sends me to Il life OF rest. But hav
a mission, ~ every true man has. an
; If in living cannot fulfill il IL shaI
be fulfilled in dying. That IS my al
swer TO Your priests. They err iron
ignorance. | have been given pOwe
DO 70 speak wisdom TO them. Let then
beware how they shnt their ears I
- the voice that speaks the truth.
;. Count VaSca's accusation is Of
different kind I have not yet place
your DriDraSS on the throne in Yada