Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-07-13
The Knight
OF the
Silver Star
A Romance of
DrwssemDam@
by PERCY BREDNER
Copyright. 1901. by r. =. Fenno q
Co
BY PERCY BRIDNlER
1907. by R. =. Fenno 4

Then came blank. have no recol-
lection whatever Of what happened
from the moment we plunged into the
water until | awoke suddenly out Of
a faint. 1t may have been. to feel
cold wind upon my face and to draw
into my lungs half dozen long
breaths Of it. They were drawn in
rapid succession. and then l felt the
water close over my head again.
put out my arms to struggle. and q
weight began to slip from me. | was
fully conscious in a moment and closed
one arm again only just In time to pre-
vent Daria slipping from my grasp.
turned upon my back and with consid-
cradle difficulty shifted Daria's posi-
ton until she lay upon my chest. With
one hand ! steadied her and with the
other and my legs struck out for
shore close beside the rock.
Fortunately for us the waters on this
side. though running rapidly. had no
swirling current in them. ! had but
to keep afoat and steer myself with
my free arm and feet approached
close to the bank. and there. straining
at the painter. was boat. the water
tapping noisily from its bows.
had to use force to unclasp Daria's
arms from my neck. Perhaps hurt
her a little. for she sighed again
Standing in the water. lifted her into
the boat. then. working my hands
along the gunwale to the stern. got
In myself. 1t was comparatively
easy matter to wrench the rope from
its fastening on the bank. and the next
moment we were drifting sharply
down the stream. Not yet had time
to attend to Daria. seized the oars
and worked hard to get across. making
slow Roadway. but drifting great
deal.
OF immediate pursuit had no fear.
Probably they would not 60 to my
dungeon until the morning 1t was
Count Vasca they sought. and those
who attempted to follow after him.
even II they knew the way he was to
take. would have to aght their way
out of the city. O'Ryan had told me
that friends were watching over the
counts safety that night. Tat some
one had betrayed Vasca would prob
ably only precipitate the revolution
by few hours. Strange that the sue
cess with which the count had arrang-
ed his plans should be the means of
our safety.
/ lifted Daria from the boat and laid
her on the bank. Then let the boat
go downstream. 1t had served me
well. 1t would be III If its presence
should tell tales of me at dawn tomor-
row.
Then l looked to Daria. and even as
] bent over her she opened her eyes.
my love-" | whispered. 1--WE are
safe"
! should never have reached the
woods had l had TO carry her all the
way. She reused up presently. which
Is hardly to be wondered at. what with
the cold and the jolting
set her on her feet. She must have
been less bruised than |, for she walk.
ed more easily than | did.
"Clintonw
"Dariav'
We went on in silence. our hands
clasped. The rest of the journey to
the woodeutter's hut she helped me far
more than helped her. l should have
fallen from sheer exhaustion and slept
had she not been with me-
Clinton. there is some one in the
woods close to u.s." Daria whispered
suddenly.
was alert in a moment. Approach
ing danger aroused me as nothing else
could.
There was shout.
"Vascav
For one moment l hesitated. Then l
answered. ..O'Ryan."
There was cracking of the branch.
es. and the Irishman stood In the path
before u.s.
you have been long"
Eve are here" answered.
why. man. that is not like your
voice. What has happened" And he
caught hold Of me- wet too. The
boat was there"
Yes, but we did not come the way
We intended. Give me some wine.
am thoroughly done. A little rest and
shall be all right" said.
REST must wait We cannot stay
here. Your highness is wet too" And
Organ offered her the flask.
Must we start at once?'
Yes, at once"
The wine did me good. l took a
longer draft of 1t than would have
been good for me at any other time
It drove the cold out. and the blood be-
gan to leap through my veins again.
In the saddle felt new man, and,
with Daria between us. we began our
journey.
The day dawned as we galloped on
ward. We did not talk. Neither Daria
nor / had inclination to do SO, and
Organ. think. kept his eye upon
both OF us lest we should become ex-