The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-09-29
The Knight
of the
Silver Star
CHAPTER XVIII.


I'VE held out his arm for me 10
lean upon. Doubtless l look
BsFdFgs ed a sorry figure. earth STAIN
lH ed and in rags; but, almost
brusquely / fear. | pushed his arm
aside This was no time to give way
to fatigue or despair 1t was the time
to act and to act quickly.
''Aiy watch is over" said the knight
81 waited only for you. You look
spent. Sir verrall will send for food
and wine"
One of the soldiers left US; the other
led us into the princess apartments.
He knocked out his torch and remain
ed in the anteroom. The knight and
/ passed into the chamber l knew so
we'll
Tell me ALL" l entreated.
you had promised to go in three
days, and when it was found that you
had departed secretly reaction came
in favor of the priests and of Vasca-
At the street corners men talked
treachery. To Sir Walen and others
whom she trusted the princess told
the reason and the manner of your
going. 1t was wise to be secret doubt
less, but it gave great occasion to
your enemies. The princess threaten
ed to treat those who murmured with
the greatest severity. No one could
stay her. You were ID danger. she
said, and that was an all sufficient rea-
son for her going.
Did Vasca persuade her to set out
for Yadasara?'
AT first, no."
"Ah The time was not ripe"
"She liked not bis advice he went
IN. Il remember her words. for she
spoke angrily: 1t would not be I'M
pleasant to you. count. if the knight
should never ride into our gates again
You were ever his enemy" He bore
her resentment well. Ii was "A hard
accusation. Early yesterday the forces
moved toward Yadasara. We tried to
prevent her. fearing treachery. Count
| Vasca is in command.
"She made her peace with him?"
Rather, Sir Verrall, he made his
|
man of Yadasara brought captive into
! the camp declared that you were in
| sreat danger, that it was known you
were spy and that you were likely
to meet quick reckoning-might even
already have done So"
"a foul plot" | said between my
teeth.
| vi 10
he went on Her face had no color
IN it, and the red of her lips turned
gray. A light grew In her eyes that
had never seen there before nor in
/ The eyes of any woman. a light as
hat along the edge of IA sword drawn
.or vengeance-there was no mercy in
t. When she spoke it was another
voice than hers. hard as mans In
passion
"And yasca?"
HE appla uded her prompt action.
Now that we know the danger to him
who is risking his life for Drussen-
and what private rivalry there has
been between US is past, is nothing.
IS forgotten. With your highness
Try. ITO arms The princess gave
aim her hand. and the color came
back into her cheek So the count
made his peace. All night the town
-ang with preparation. Men, aye. and
women. too. shouted jubilantly: TO
lrms On toward Yadasarar The
lay dawnpd leaden gray. with swish
If fine rain. yet CLEAN of sunlight
shone as the princess came from the
palace She rode. warrior in COM
plete steel. and a shout rang loud and
high at her coming. ! warrant the
sight of her turned many a traitor
into loyal subject"
Heaven grant it so! But there is
the foulest treachery afoot. Sir knight.
That captive was no captive. but a
messenger proclaiming to the count
that the time was ripe"
1--WE feared treachery. Sir Verrall.
but we were powerless except 10 fol
low the princess. OF those who swore
to protect her | alone am here. 1t
was Jasar who suggested that | should
wait for you"
who is with you that you can
trust?'
"A dozen men. Here are food and
wine: you need them" said the knight.
Tell me how deep is the treachery."
so deep that death grips hands
with loyalty In Yadasara there are
many for the count In Yadasara Lady
Aldrida attempted my life Ten days
ago ut least | escaped from the city
You may judge what truth there was
in the messenger the count brought to
the princess.
Let me change these rags for armor
and we will GO" ! cried. draining the
wine. 1t put new strength in me
Every man who yields loyal
sword is necessary TO the princess
now" said. Have your men by the
gates in half an hour"
So at midnight we rode from the
gates Strange that after running
away from Yadasara | should so ca
gerly ride toward it again.
II was toward shutdown that we
found the camp. pitched in a place sur
rounded by thick woods. and ii was
fortunate that our coming happened
upon a point where friends were or
we might have been Intentionally mis-