The Lamar register., 1911-07-19
THE /
S 7 A r
BY Percy |
Brebmer J

snOrtly.
Then there was the flare Of torches
in the square and the king came out.
followed by several knights. only
noticed one particularly. the one who
walked beside him. the strange knight
who had come TO the city yesterday.
saw the king whisper to him. and
the knights eyes wandered round the
square In search Of some one.
With my comrades had risen to
my feet and stood waiting.
The king did not look toward me. but
the knight did and our eyes met. Then
he turned to the king and spoke to
him.
"Persaps 1t is no sight for such eyes
a. yours" heard the king say. IRE.
tire II you Will"
The knight bowed and crossed the
square toward one Of The entrances
to the palace. There he paused.
There is traitor among us. Guard
the square we'll We shall find a
short way OF dealing with him. 1t
Is easy to play the traitor. but he shall
ind It difficult To bear the punish
ment."
Escape seemed impossible. but that
short method the king spoke Of came
as tonic to me and gave Inc the
courage OF desperation. I saw O'Ryan
with his company waiting for the
kings command. saw the knight
still at the palace entrance regarding
the scene as he might have watched
an interesting comedy. Who was he;
Surely II was he who had betrayed me.
There WIS II pause-a silence which
seemed long. Then the king looked
At me quickly. straight and without
hesitation. He knew exactly the spot
where ! stood.
Seize the traitor. Clinton!" and his
arm shot out. pointing at me ms he
spoke.
II was no time to plead. My sword
was In my hand In n moment, and I
rushed to the open side of the square.
II never occurred to me that I could
save my life. but might escape the
fortress. ! looked to see O'Ryan rush
to fight his way out with me. but he
did not do so. Instead he gave n word
Of command to his company and. lead
ing them. roared as he came:
For the kings honor, Seize the
traitorr'
I was betrayed. indeed. and by the
man I had trusted. dashed onward
That the command to arrest me had
come suddenly gave me the advantage
for moment. Those about me had
no time to lay hands upon me. was
half across the space toward my only
hope OF escape before man came
within reach Of my sword. and then
l seemed to be surrounded.
take him aliver' I heard n voice
cry. The devil who cried 1t was he
hind me. The devil was O'Ryani
Into the thick of my enemies I went.
always a little space before me clear
ed by the swing Of my weapon. Yet
they closed in upon me. Hands be
hind attempted TO hold me. but I
shook them on.
They rushed In upon me on every
side. struck right and left with my
sword. struck out with my left
arm. / struggled forward Ny enc
mics fell back from me. Only one
man seemed to stand between me and
freedom cut him from my path
and sprang over him as he fell.
take him aliver'
The cry was behind me. Ny enc
mics were behind me, and I rushed
madly through the streets Of the city.
/ did not know the city well. and to
my dlsmay I soon discovered that
had Travelled In circle. Suddenly
man across the street beckoned to me.
II was the strange knight He led me
Into a narrow passage and through a
door but few moments before my
pursuers rushed past. Organ. 1t
seemed. was the traitor. not the
strange knight.
al believed that 1t was you who had
betrayed me. have wronged you."
said.
81 have II message for you from q
woman who loves you we'll" said the
strange knight. $50 well indeed that
your heart il her only home. and thus
she enters it,
The last words were Missed out AS a
swift blow struck me. ! was saved
from death by the mailed shirt ! wore.
1 knew the strange knight now-Lady
Aldrida.
She threw her arms around me and
called to my pursuers. ! had to tear
myself from her She staggered back
word and f.U I eS,.unet into the payt