The Red Cloud chief., 1912-11-21

heard the herald proclaim the victor
amid deafening shouts. He adjusted
his vizor and soDt the gray at an easy
lumber toward the knights pavilion
Again the horse was seized by the
bride. Looking down Burnett per.
ceived that gorgeously clad individ.
ual, tlanked on each side by boy
bearing a pennant and followed by
trujnpeter who looked like the Knave
q Hearts, was accostins him.
Your name, Sir Knight?" demand
ed this individual. looking a little
sheepish. For the question Burnett
was prepared.
Sir, am a stranger knight" he an
swered briskly. land l have ridden
hither from overseas to contest for
my lady In your tourney and to up.
hold her name against all comers."
You cannot contest, Sir, unless
your name Is on the entrance list"
replied the herald, keeping tight
grip Of the horses bride. IT'S against
the rules. Hi! Get on the grass. you
there! Go round and pay your shill.
ing at tie entrance IL you want to zee
the tourney"
But Burnett broke short the col
lLquy by suddenly spurring the gray
again and galloping toward the en-
trance. where he perceived a bevy OF
knights upon their steeds awaiting
their turn at the jousting. The Mas
ter.Of-Arms, seeing him approach
came spurring out toward him.
Your lame, Sir Knight" he de
manded. Are you an entrant In thi,
tourney, ard come to do battle for
some lady?"
mo. I'm stranger" answered Bur
nett briskly. But ! guess from the
little I've seen that there won't be
much Of battle when l get busy"
The Master-At-Arms frowned an
grily. Nobody who isn't entered car
joust. unless some lady HIS nominal
ed him." he answered.
The Master-At.Arms carried an Mg
Unlocking face. and there seemed
certain finallty in his words. Sudden
ly Burnett, casting his eyes upward
perceived, looking at him, not twenty
yards away-Emmeline Ware!
The shock almost unnerved him
He had been thrown much into her
society since his arrival two months
before, and had reason to believe that
she was not wholly Indifferent to him
And now, looking at her, he perceived
that she had overheard. and distinctly
saw her lips frame the word yes"
I'm nominated by Miss Ware-Miss
Emmeline Ware. She's my nominator
Il mean my lady," stammcred Bur.
nett; and then somehow the strange.
ness Of the scene caught the imagina'
ton Of all and the spectators rose and
shouted and the Queen of Beauty
smiled-and 6. moment later Burnett
was cantering down on his side Of the
barrier againt knight whose hel
met was encircled with ducal straw
berry leaves. And two moments la
ter the duke was galloping past clutch
ing his horses name. his shivered
lance on the ground. while Burnett
found himself the victor.
Again knight rode out at him, and
the sullen gr;.y thundered past: and
this time the knight was changing up
on the sandel ground. like an over
turned turtle, while Burnett rode past
and saluted Miss Emmeline and saw
her smile on him. Again-again; he
felt sure Of himself. knew that he
could not be overthrown. And 1t was
remarkably like riding on the creased
rail at Cony, but not SO hard.
:, Now the champion was billed to
meet him-the Duke Of Clydesdale, O
wiry, athletic man mounted on q mag
niflcent Norman. He was q splendid
figure as he rode down the lists. and
the excitement reached its zenith
They stood up. women and men. and
shouted and clapped their hands
. Burnett thrust, but struck only air
and. reeling in his saddle. he gallopet
by. At the end of the lists the com
batants turned and drew together
again. The lances smote true. Eacl
. shivered into dozen fragments
Burnett caught ut the bride and saved
himself by the gray's hard-bittet
mouth. But when he turned amid thu
tumultuous acclamations OF all. h,
saw the duke limping out Of the saw
dust.
The Master-At-Arms was heart
, above the tumult.
"Unroll your standard. Sir Knight
} that the Queen Of Beauty may &C
} claim you victor and crown you will
, the wreath" he cried. And Burnett
looking up, saw Emmeline Ware
! eyes fixed on his and her parted lips
her face. wherein intense emotion
, strove with dignity. And he knew
! that II he unrolled his standard h.
must never see her again.
His scheme had failed. but from tina
, failure something Of more worth thar
success was to spring.
He bent his head. raised his righ
arm In salutation-and holding tn
precious standard tightly rolled In hi
: stirrup bucket he gallOped of the field