The Ocala evening star., 1911-05-03


SN&j council that morning, 80
threaded my way through the crowd
to find Walen or some other friend to
question. Lady Aldrida, however, in
tercepted me. and / was obliged to
follow her to an unoccupied corner.
"I congratulate you, Sir Verrall. and
also l thank you"
"Why thank meT'
do l not owe 1t to you that / have
been 80 graciously received tonightT
II assure you that l have said no
word on your behalf" 1 answered.
A knight-one Of the counts satel-
utes-approached US.
Your pardon and yours, my lady.
come from the count, Sir Verrall.
He bids me inform you that you will
be intrusted with the safety Of her
highness tonight"
"a short notice." / said.
"It has indeed only been arranged
Just now The count thought it might
be a pleasant duty, seeing the things
which have happened SO lately"
"It is a pleasant duty. VIII you
thank Count Vasca and tell him that
I shall be at my post an hour before
midnightT'
"It is good to be q princess to COM
| mand such a sentinel" said Lady
Aldrida when he had gone.
| made my adieus hastily.
Good night" she said, 'and II the
night seems long remember my
thoughts surround you"
i Still. the knowledge that l was
to have the companionship of her
thoughts through the night hours gave
me little comfort. Folly had indeed
got me In tight embrace.
It was a custom In Drussenland-an
ancient one, I believe-that knight
should stand sentinel until the dawn
at the entrance to the soveretgn's
apartments. It was a custom which
was rather sentimental than useful
for the palace was always we'll guard
ed The honor was given only to an
accredited knight, one who had earn
ed a reputation for valor, so 1t was not
strange that the duty had not fallen
to me until now. had certainly earn
ed the right TO be considered eligible,
but that / had been chosen for this
particular night gave me ample food
for reflection as l went back to my
quarters.
had nearly reached them when at
corner Of the street hand was laid
upon my shoulder. In an instant my
hand was upon my sword hilt.
"The second time you have received
me as an enemy, Sir Verrall," said
Jasar.
"It was your own advice that
should fear shadows and ever be ready
to defend myself" l answered.
"You are to be sentinel tonight?''
Yes. | thank her highness for this
mark of her trust In me-
II am charged with a message"
1.-The sender?" l asked.
For only one do l carry a message
Sir Verrall.''
1.-THE message, then?" l said. my ex
citement, l am sure. plainly discern
ible in my voice.
"'Be faithful and loyal knight. and
| the God you worship grant you safe
ty.'"
II pray so," l answered. Tell me-
"Sir Verrall, l was charged with nc
further speech, and l detain you
He turned from me abruptly and
with rapid strides left me.
The entrance to the princess apart
ments was In q spacious corridor
which at one end was approached by
| a wide staircase, the other end leading
only to rooms occupied by her suit
Two soldiers stood at the head Of the
staircase. and they saluted me as
passed. Their faces were unfamiliar
to me. took up my position at the
entrance and drew my sword. 1t wa.
about II o'clock, as near as | coul(
tell, and 1t was evident that the prin
cess had not yet retired, for servant:
passed In and out Of her apartment,
for some time after | arrived, But
caught no sight nor sound Of her
though | watched each opening Of tn
s. door and listened for even a low mur
muir to recognize. Sounds came from
r other parts OF the palace for SOM
5, time, and 1t was certainly past mid
5. night when the last servant left tn
= apartments and I heard the doc
barred behind him.
After a time / began to feel uro-<sy
Suddenly a slight sound startled me
was on the alert In a moment. but
ner of sound 1t was. l was facin
down the corridor toward the stair
case. 1t was pitch dark. and cam
, to the conclusion that l could hea
nothing, and yet instinctively l kneN
: that the darkness hid something
y something which threatened me.
seemed to palpitate in front OF N
IL silently, but none the less certainl.
I put out my hand. passed 1t in fror
of me and at my side. 1t reste
against the wall of the corridor &
tn the sharp corner. one side of the el
trance TO the princess apartments.
swept my sword round me at the fu
extent of my arm. but it touched not
ing. Yet something was there. and
knew it.
: Suddenly something touched me 1
gently that 1t might have been Il
brush of a bats wing. 1t touched II
arm extended to the wall. The ne,
- moment swift blow fell upon Ii
- shoulder. and | felt a spasm Of pa
ed run through me. for sharp steel hi
penetrated the joint Of the armor.
second blow fell so quickly after Il
first that for a moment I thought
had more than one assailant. II
. blow failed In its purpose. giancu