The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-04-17

AnJ N arms. uucRIe'l on my harness
until l stood clothed in complete steel.
On mT breast Ws,> raised device.
star in silver. and II like star was upon
my helmet. With Il ii 5ut the knights
accepted M ~ a comrade in arms.
This cereunny over We left the hall.
and il he courtyard horses wer. he
ing led by pa@eS. O'Iiyan stood beside
mine and noticed that he had serv-
iceablt sword III his side.
All goes well" he whispered "a
mounted and look Of relief came into
his face when he saw that knew how
10 manage Il horse.
THROUGH the gates we went 10 the
camp. \ lnr~a body OF soldiers was
drawn up in an open space. evidently
awaiting our coming. and a. we ap-
preached Princess Daria came toward
US. Being Instructed by one of my
comrades I dismounred and went 10
meet her. and saving my sword. /
gave II IN her. holding II 10y the blade
and presenting TO her the hilt. She
took II from me and ~ | knelt laid ii
lightly across my left shoulder saying:
Rise. Sir Knight, Knight Of the Sill
| yer Star Thrice welcome are YOU. Sec
you he a faithful knight"
She returned me the sword and al
| though had not been told Ia do ~
| kissed il before | Sheathed IL. She
smiled. ami Count Vasca. who stood
beside her, frowned. What did his
.,i,y \,
knights.
1t WIS Il day Of rejoicing in the town
and in III" camp. Much Teasing was
there. and i'll II great hall the knights
sat down 10 revelry. The cOmraEe
who had Instructed me in the mogfNng
! sat beside NE, and | soon founH that
/ he hated the counter. as ~ called
/ him. NaSca. Knight OF the RdNNSlnud
/ Each knight had some such diStinHGve
title my comrades being Walen
knight OF the Black stone.
"Nasca rules the feast" he said. He
would like TO rule the land"
You do not love him. | asked.
~ know him for valiant soldier
was the careful answer
And are there many who love hing
we are equally divided. else Vase!
would not rule the feast as he doe:
/ tonight"
The count had risen not too steadily
TO propose new toast when. withou
any warning. the doors We're thrown
open. and the princess entered. The
knights stood up i'll surprise. Neve
before. 50 ! learned. had she honorr,
such Il banquet.
She advanced to the head of III,
table, and. calling for cup Of wine
held it at arms length.
Your princess gives YOU Il toast
To the Knight OF the Silver Star
Every cup was drained. and the prin
cess left the hall. The count resume,
his seat. II black Srowl upon his face
and the feast was ended The tw,
parties were more distinct than ever
for, while some Of the knights left III
hall with me. others gathered roun,
Easca. looking - angry as he did.
The princess has made him YOU
enemy for all time" said Walcn.
The silver star shall shine through
the red cloud" said
And there are swords in plenty Z
help" said one. drawing his weapon
little and sending il home again wit
clash.
Swords in plenty" they said II
chorus.
Quarters overlooking the square
were assigned Ia me and my esquire
O'Ryan. / had sought adventure. ant
certainly l had found it,
| paid aSSiduouS attention TO III!
military duties In the camp. locke,
sharply after the men who were III,
especial charge and in my leisure
hours took lessons from O'Ryan in tn
manipulation of Il sword. | knew
something of the art of fencing. but
assisted ME little in sword exercise a
understood by my worthy esquire
The days passed into weeks slowly
vet not m"not"nouSly. | worked har,
in the camp and with O'Ryan perfect
ing myself in the use OF the weapon
of the DruSSenlanders.
returned from council one da,
more anxious than usual On enter
ing my apartments found O,Ryal
waiting for me impatiently.
You look depressed You hav
heard the news"
What news | asked.
That a tournament Is 10 he held Il
your honor
NO. l have heard nothing OF IT."
It's bad news. VERBAL: the frs
conspiracy against YOU" said ORyar
They are going 10 put You 70 the ties
too soon for my liking"
Tell me all about it | said
They were full Of ii in the court
yard this morning" Organ answered
Faith. Won W." not wanting In SUI
porterS. | admit. and had 10 bluste
with the best of them 70 keep up ar
pearances. hut il was heavy heart
had. Nerrall. Nasca Is at the bottOI
, Of #. He will challenge you an
makes II" secret OF his opinion tina
you are an inrostnr and that yon~-
60 down before his skiIIr, dea
branch Topped -ufCy the storm