Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-12-01
the c0tinf struggled to his feet.

| LIE COUNT StruSSIeU u HIS Ieet.
"A stumbling steed is no knights
dishonor. Another horse!'' he cried.
"Or on foot. Sir Verrall. as you WILL"
sat still and mute. AS through a
mist l saw waving hands in the gal
leries; as through thick fog l heard
my name and Vasca's.
The sharp note Of a bugle aroused
me somewhat. For an instant fan
cied it the summons to another charge
and turned my horse mechanically.
But there was other business in hand.
A blare Of trumpets had summoned to
the mimic battle. bat this was one
sharp. long drawn note, a note Of
alarm always in Drussenland. The
shouting ceased: hands no longer
waved. think saw the princess rise
and leave her gallery suddenly. know
that there was mass Of movement
on all sides Of the lists. knights and
soldiers rushed across the turf. and
was borne along with them to the bar
r1er.
ITO arms! To armsw was now the
cry on every SIDE
"Bravely done. Sir Verrall!' And
saw Organ press toward me through
the crowd.
"What is it?' I said almost in q
whisper.
Faith. it's what suits us best-real
fighting. The enemy are in force be-
fore the town."
T-I"- And then I should have slip
ped from my saddle had not Organ
literally lifted me to the ground.
The excitement ut the news of com.
ing conflict was so great that fortu-
nately little notice was taken OF me.
and Organ managed to get me away
quietly. He piled me with more wine.
"Do you want to rob me of what
little sense l have" I said.
Anything to make you sleep for a
few hours" Organ answered you
have a short time to rest before we go
out against the enemy"
did any one notice that fainted?'
mo; took care Of that. Not soul
knows but what you were still full Of
rious business came-more serious,
that Is, to some. but far less to US.
Verrall"
"You laughed this morning when I
spoke Of LUCK"
Luck! Don't say the word. Sure,
it wasn't luck at all. but fine fighting"
The intense strain of the day was
loosened, the danger was over; almost
I believed that luck had had nothing
to do with my success. and then-then
dreams came. light fancies. feathers
borne on the bosom Of a summer wind,
whispering voices calling softly, "Da-
ria," and then vision of her with
arms outsretched, smile upon her
lips, radiant as the smile Of morning,
and then, before l could hear her
speak, before I could throw myself
at her feet, deep sleep with no dream
in it.
'Time, Verrall."
I started up.
"You ought to be rested" said
Organ. ave been shaking you long
enough, and, by st. Patrick, your
snoring has been mighty"
It was early morning. The world at
our feet was still in twilight, but the
top of Khrym had caught the sun. /,
felt refreshed, but certainly not in con-
dition for hard days fighting.
"It's to be real war this time, not
games," said Organ.
'"The other was no game to me, and
I would sooner wait little while for
the real fghting," I answered.
The camp was in considerable confu-
sion as Organ and I rode in.
"You're much bigger man than you
were yesterday" said Organ.
Surrounded by her guards and by
several knights, the princess was in
earnest conversation with Count Vasca
as I went to salute her. Naturally her
mind was full Of anxious thought, and
I should not have noticed her casual
acceptance of me had not knight sa-
luted her just before me. To him she
smiled graciously; to me she gave a
bare acknowledgment.
"Your prowess yesterday argues i'll
for many a brave knight yonder in
Yadasara," Count Vasca said.
"You are gracious to say so, count"
I answered.
"Truly I speak only as I have cause
to know. can prove honestly a friend,
although fear you do not SO consider
me-"
II have a habit Of being honest too"
(which means that you do not be-
lieve me"
II have Judged by actions" said.
II ask no more than that you con-
tinue to do So" he replied.
He held out his hand. and took it. l
could do no less. and his frankness al
most deceived me-
There r. work before u.s." he went
on. "You will march your men toward
Yadas"ra. Tonight. maybe. we will
pledge cur Friendship in cup of wine
Perhaps tomorrow we shall ride side
by sile in pleasant rivalry against our
common ennr'ieS''
Ito be Continued
GARY SUGGESTS SOME RENE