The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-04-03

door. was this knight attacked while
he guarded our person. IL the assas'
sins knife were raised against us,
then truly we and all our loyal sub
jects owe this knight thanks for his
protection Of us. IT, as some affirm.
the attack was made upon the knight,
then are there some among us whom
It would be well TO stamp out. since
for lack of courage they seek 10 muir
der and are no true Drussenlanders
We know that the hand which held
the knife was not the hand of him
who devised the crime. The tool paid
dearly for his part. and so In good
time shall they who planned and who,
to screen themselves from our anger.
sllenced forever the guards who could
have betrayed them. Now we are
here not TO Judge, nor Of our wish Is
this council called together. 1t Is by
the wish of the knight you have ac-
cused; not all of you, but some. Only
vaguely has he heard the charges
brought against him. and, since there
can be no steady answer to vague ru-
NOR. II is our will that you who have
aught TO say speak and that the knight
shall answer you. You who listen.'
and she swept her arm round TO in
clude every upturned face in the hall
"you who listen give a patient hear
ing. We seek not to guide you, but
be honest men, not fools of passion to
be led by every one who tries to move
you. BE Drussenlanders, not wretches
making our street corners dangerous.
men ready TO creep in the dark and
stab from behind. ! have gloried in
that I am your princess, gloried In the
brave hearts / rule, gloried In your
deeds. have been proud to cry to the
whole world that | am a princess In
Drussenland, but show me that you
are cravens. men afraid to meet their
enemy face to face, and ! will fling
this golden circle of my sovereignty
among you. Make whom you will
your ruler. / should think it shame TO
call such men my subjects"
For a moment there was silence;
then a murmur ran through the hall
and then a great roar. She had touch
ed them. Dexterously she had paved
the way for me.
You. our priests, have somewhat
against the knight" she said when the
shouting had ceased, land you. our
loyal knights. Speak honestly, and
you. Sir Verrall, answer honestly, so
justice shall be done"
She looked first at the chief OF the
priests. then at Count vasca and then
Mt me
The priest began to speak in a rather
tiagso.g lone. as though he were re-
citing a lesson he had committed to
memory.
THE expected knight was to do
many things in Drussenland." he said.
He was 10 bring peace and plenty
into 1t. That he should be mighty in
achievement | believed. but with that
have nothing TO do My office hin.
ders me from welding sword. and.
though my heart may leap at the sight
Of brave deeds, ] can have no part in
them. My office is to watch over the
sacred things of this land TO punish
those who bring our great religion into
1isrepute, giving occasion to those of
lesser intellect to revile and turn the
God we worship into jest.
"Your highness has broken law,
and therefore your people have bro
ken law. Think you peace and
plenty shall be poured into the laps of
hose who sin? | rejojced at the
knights coming, so Is my sorrow keen
er that he has made his mission of
none effect For him punishment
waits at the hand Of him who sent
him. Our duty is not to delay his GO
ng. If ii be so willed that as he
anne miraculously so miraculously
IAN he be taken from us. then 1t shall
De. But death is the only means we
nortals know of by which he can re-
urn. Therefore by death should we
eek pardon for ourselves. would
ny words could take n happier tone.
II my eyes are blinded. IL | have not
cad our laws Alright, then power will
DC granted to the knight to increase my
wisdom. ! wish not TO condemn him
inheard. 1t is not that condemn him
1T Is our religion which does So"
"For my own part, ] had rather re-
main SILENT" said Count vasca. "It
nay seem envlous in me to seek to
a knight who in tournament
has met me honestly and in the field
has fought valiantly. Indeed. / speak |
'nly for the many as chief of the
inights who attend your highness."
THAT we know, Sir Vasca." said the |
looking fixedly at him.
She did not take her eyes from him
while he spoke. Perhaps he saw dis
rust in them. for. after beginning so
lumbly, he went on bitterly enough:
"The priest has spoken of the laws
With them | have nothing to do. but,
'ince the priests and ] have been Of
en- Mt variance, in that we are agreed
n this matter proves the justice of
'ur complaint. The knight was to ac-
omplish two things with which | am
place your hlghness on
he throne in Yadasara and to find q