The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-07-07
The Knight
of the
Silver Star

4 drida dld not DecKOn me now. or my
own accord l went to her, and she
drew her gown aside that ! might sit
by her.
"You honor me. Sir Verrall"
NAY, mistress; 1t is ever the lady
who honoreth the knight when she &C
cepts his company"
"And once you swore that you were
rough Of speech. not given to paying
compliments"
She cast down her eyes as she said
| it. She looked beautiful, and / was
/ in the mood TO like her beauty.
said l SOP asked. leaning toward
her until the scent of her hair was In
my nostrils.
Indeed you did"
"You must have frowned then, sweet
mistress, or | could not have been so
ungallant When you smile the ver1-
est churl could not help but say pref
ty things"
"Once it was said that could you use
your sword as you used your tongue
you would be a great warrior. Now
"And nowY' l asked, touching the
lace upon her sleeve in a sort Of mute
caress.
"Ah, Sir VERBAL, you have proved
yourself with your sword, yet / doubt
If it can work greater damage than
your tongue"
each to its business" ] answered
gayly-"the sword for the heart of
man, the tongue for the heart Of
woman"
ANY man or any woman
may, you wrong me; | VOW 1t. The
man must be q foe as surely as the
woman one l love"
Had you said so when you paid no
compliments l might have believed
you" she whispered. e
And whispered just as low:
mistress, l viii quarrel with you II
you believe me not now"
Quarrel she said, with an anxious
look, little hand laid upon my arm.
"Then believe"
A hundred had bowed before her, yet
she stood heart whole. 1t was my
own victory-success where others had
failed.
And deeper yet dived, blindfold, as
1t were.
Mistress. if you would, prove my
faith"
She looked up suddenly, interrupting
me.
MAY IY'
"How and when you WILL" I an
swered.
mot now" she laughed. 81 have
no quest to set you to, no enemy who
has slandered me to point out"
swell for him." l boosted, ''for am
dangerous when you smile upon me.
Still, mistress, there is one question I
would ask"
"And viii answer it if 1 can"
sYour other lovers. have you forget
ten them?"
"Sir Verrall!"
Pardon, mistress, but a lover is
jealous fellow He must walk alone
In his lady's garden or walk not there
at all And beauty cannot hide itself.
have seen many a gallant waiting
for one smile from you. Therefore
ask the question"
my lovers they may be. but no
heart chord of mine have they touch
ed Perchance smiled. my lord.
Would you always have me frown-
mgr
. NAV. mistress, but there are smiles
which onl / should have I pray you
smile not so upon them"
mot on one, my lord, | promise
you"
mot even on
"On whom?"
"on Count vasca. He surely loves
,ou, and he is a valiant knight"
Loves mel Perhaps once he did.
but now it is the princess he would
win a gracious word from. Valiant,
you say, yet l know one more valiant
than he. My heart leaped toward you
as Count Vasca rolled to earth that
day"
81 have had greater affairs to settle
than that, mistress" and. fool that I
was, / almost blushed TO think how
Tar truth had retreated from me.
when ! seek to prove you it shall
be hard task then" she whispered.
And then she stood up suddenly.
There is music in the lower room.
My feet long to dance, since my heart
lis light VIII you take me?'
l believe I would have married her
there and then had she asked, so great
4 fool was l.
The Lady Aldrida danced gracefully,
and / do not think ! disgraced her as
a partner ! did my best to please,
for was glad TO lead her through the
dance
The dance over, pledged her In
wine, sealing, as it were. the words
had spoken, and she blushed a sweet
acceptance of my homage.
HAS never Vasca pledged you sou
| asked.
Il hope not or yours would he
false pledge. seeing that he seeks my
company no longer"
Truly a fool to forsake such ia
vors."
yet he does so for the favors of
princess" she said in a low voice.
Tell me, not as you see with Il lovers
eyes, but eritically-on your honor
critically-am | not as fair as sheY'
NAY, mistress, you judge yourself