The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-04-20

yfENGNt anu tnen ndStlIy concealed IL
GszSJ l had almost forgotten what
occasioned the gift until rudely re
minded by Walen as we left the hall
together.
Il fear you have played into Yasca's
hands, VerraI,' he said.
Or he into mine
True, or he into yours 1t is diff
cult TO Judge"
Knowing SO little Of me, you would
say" | went on. putting. l knew. his
thoughts into words. My dear Wa
len. l ask only a fair field and no ia
vOr A few true friends and a good
cause and success is half won"
Men fall in good cause, Verrall."
To prove that 1t is good to those
who remain" l answered.
Ill news gets abroad quickly, and
Organ had heard what had taken
place before l joined him.
"Verrall, you're an almighty fool.
Sure, It's sorry l am to be compelled
TO tell you the truth
Il don't fancy you've succeeded in
doing it now. There was nothing for
it but a bold move. Vasca had de-
termined to force me into this fight
and to leave no loophOle for escape.
Better surely to grip the situation firm
ly and trust to luck"
Luck" he exclaimed Il know what
Vasca can do. You don't"
II very soon shall"
"Pd like to change places with you"
Organ said.
"a piece of national conceit. My
lance play may be as good as yours"
Sure, that's not it at all. The one
who fights dies fighting; the one who
Is left dies there. I'm the one who's
left. That is what troubles me-" And
he waved his hand toward the square
Its a bad sign when a man barks
as loudly as Vasca does" | said.
That's a sound enough argument
when civilizat ton has knocked half the
| fighting power out of a man, but it's
| just meaningless here. In Drussen-
land a man daren't bark unless he can
/ bite I'd give good deal to be back in
/ Yadasara. The place is full of black
| guards, to be sure, but they're black
| guards you can understand-nOne> of
these tournament businesses and non
! sense of that kind"
1 There We're three days of waiting
/ before the tournament, three days in
which | had to steel myself to behave
calmly, as usual, three days during
which l could hardly remain still for
moment.
The day dawned bright and sunny.
but with a keenness in the air which
perhaps my nervous excitement eXag-
gerated | woke early and never. sure
ly. have hours been so leaden winged
as they were that morning.
I'VE will not be the first to arrive
said Organ. curling my Impotence.
1T would only be to show anxiety"
(Which, of course, we do not feel
l said. with a nervous laugh.
We waited in silence until it was
time to go, and in silence we rode to
the camp.
Plentiful as the accommodation i'll
the lists had seemed to me. it was evil
IDENTITY not too much. Every seat, ev-
cry point of vantage, had been taken.
| There were two entrances reserved for
the knights who We're to take part in
the days proceedings, facing each 9th.
er and shut off from the arena by n
barrier which was only opened to let
knight pass in to combat.
On one side of the lists was gallery
in which were the marshal and his
heralds. and opposite a similar gallery
where Princess Daria sat with her ret
inue. My eyes were riveted on this
gallery, but l could not tell whether
she had noticed me or whether she
looked anxious or Indifferent.
Your time approaches, Verrall'
said Organ. looking to the harness OF
my horse.
The trumpets sounded. and a roar
/. of welcome came from a thousand
. threats. Other combats had excited
but my entrance heralded the perform
ance which had brought this crowd to
gether. AS rode past the gallery the
marshal and his attendants rose tC
give me courteous welcome. So hat
they risen TO seach knight as he en-
tered the lists. but there was keene'
criticism in their eyes as they rose Il
me. Some friends l had among them
some enemies. | could probably have
divided friends from foes by the eX
preston on their faces. = kept my
horse well in hand. l had no desire
now to show off CALAMITY. The bust
ness before me was too serious anC
might all too soon give the lie to m!
\ warlike appearance. Slowly l walked
the horse round the lists until / wa:
opposite the gallery in which Princes
Daria sat.
The princess rose. and | saluted he
gravely. wondering if at that momen
the same thought ran through both on
hrains-the thought of the handker
chief which she had given and which
even then was lying close 70 my heart
Then | rode back and stood beneath
the marShal'S gallery.
'Heralds, sound the challenge Of tn
. knight Of the Silver Star-once"' b.
| cried
The trumpetS' music filed the air
and before the echoes had died among
the hills the barrier at the opposite
side of the lists to which had enter
ed was thrown open. and Count Vase;
rode into the arena.
Il accept the challenge" he cried
and then. approaching me, he said i
a lower voice: NO love creeps int
our combat. Sir Verrall. You hav
willed that il shall be for honor"
For honor. Count Vasca, and 70
love. too. if you WILL" l answered dc
| fiantlV