The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-05-10
The priest began to speak in a rather

THE expected knight was to do
many things in DrussenIand." be said.
HE was TO bring peace and plenty
into II. That he should he mighty In
achievement believed. but with that
| have nothing to do. My office him
ders me from welding sword. and.
though my heart may leap ut the sight
| of brave deeds. can have no part I'm
them. My Office Is TO watch over the
sacred things of this land. to punish
those who bring our great religion into
disrepute. giving occasion to those of
lesser intellect to revile and turn the
God we worship into a jest.
"Your highness has broken q law,
and therefore your people have bro
ken a law. Think you peace and
plenty shall be poured into the laps Of
those who sin? rejoiced at the
knights coming. so Is my sorrow keen
er that he has made his mission Of
none effect For him punishment
awaits at the hand of him who sent
him Our duty is not to delay his 60
ing. If II be so willed that as he
came miraculously so miraculously
can he be taken from us. then ii shall
be. But death is the only means we
mortas know of by which he can re-
turn. Therefore by death should we
seek pardon for ourselves | would
my words could take a happier tone.
If my eyes are blinded, If have not
read our laws Alright, then power will
be granted to the knight to increase my
wisdom. wish not to condemn him
unheard 1t is not that condemn him
it is our religion which does So"
For my own part. / had rather re-
main silent" said Count Vasca. ut
may seem envious in me to seek to
condemn a knight who In tournament
has met me honestly and in the field
has fought valiantly. Indeed. | speak
only for the many as chief of the
knights who attend your highness."
THAT we know. Sir vasca." said the
princess. looking fixedly at him.
She did not take her eyes from him
while he spoke. Perhaps he saw dis
trust in them. for. after beginning so
humbly, he went on bitterly enough:
"The priest has spoken of the laws.
With them | have nothing to do. but.
since the priests and ! have been Of
ten at variance. in that we are agreed
i'm this matter proves the justice of
our complaint. The knight was to ac-
compiSh two things with which | am
concerned-to place your highness on
the throne in Yadasara and to find
treasure that should bring plenty to
our land. blame not that these
things are not yet accomplished. but
that nothing has been done. We are
at present Il divided country. and
whichever side finds the treasure wins
also the throne in Yadasara. These
foreign dogs the king has brought into
this land would leave him tomorrow
were they paid for doing so, and there
are hundreds vi men in this city who
would march to Yadasara tomorrow
were the treasure in the kings hands
The time is ripe to win or to lose. for
success or rebellion. They expected
much of Sir Verrall's coming. They
believe they are doomed TO disappoint-
ment. therefore they cry out Though.
as true Drussenlander. | have no
pity for those who attacked the knight
when he stood your hghness' senti-
mel. still affirm that he has only him
self to blame. If he is the expected
knight let him fulfill his mission: If
not let him answer for the lie which
made us give him welcome"
A murmur of appreciation sounded
through the hall. Then all eyes turn
ed toward me. | found courage In
the look that was in the princess eyes
as she turned to me.
81 am accused of breaking law or
of causing your highness to break II.
said. 1T is true. That | succeeded.
though with difficulty. as you, who
heard me make my petition. know
well, is the greatest good ] have ac-
complished since have been in Drus-
senland | will tell you why. Your
priest said if he had judged amiss |
should have power TO increase his
wisdom. That power | have. | wish
him power TO understand. and not
only the priest but all you who hear
me- From whence | came you do not
know. You have legend which you
look to be fulfilled. and at my coming
you welcomed me. Think you fulfill
ment comes exactly as men expect?
The priests have wisdom, and they
prophesy. but | came into Drussen-
land from a more enlightened country,
where the wisdom of your priests
would be but as the idle prattling of
a child. This law of yours that pris-
oners of war shall be slain was
framed when men knew little Of him
they worshiped. This he bids me tell
you-that TO kill men as you would
kill your prisoners is murder In that
the priests prophesy disaster to this
land because that law is broken they
err most grievously. prophesy peace
for this land If you let mercy rule You
rather than vengeance. fear moth
ing of what you can do to me. Death.
What is It? A moment In time that
sends me TO life of rest. But have
a mission. as every true man has. and
If in living | cannot fulfill ii it shall