The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-11-21

stepped forward from below and came
forward up the grand stairway Paul
knew him. 1t was Won Holzrnth. And
he knew Paul. He advanced reckless
ly to the edge Of the barricade and
Paul sprang up to meet him. Won
Holzrath saluted.
will her highness deign to retire
that we may fire also?" he asked
Paul turned There stood Clothilde
at his elbow, defiantly regarding Step
ans chief conf1dant.
II shall stand here" she answered
"And If you fire, shall be one Of the
victims of your bullets.
But, mademoiselle-your high
ness" murmured the captain, regard
ing her in helpless manner. Every
WELL" he said, 1--WE shall give you the
sword. A vous, monsieur" He sa
luted Paul and, turning, made his way
slowly down the wide stairway He
reached the hall and the defenders
heard the murmur of voices. Their
came the rush.
Twelve abreast they bounded up the
marble stairs, In ranks four deep, bran
dishing their swords and shouting the
name Of Stepan, who, Paul noticed
with a grim smile, remained in the
rearmost rank. That was his last con
scious observation for some time, for
an instant later, sword was crashing
on sword-point, thrust, thrust, point
The twelve men in the first rank were
expert fencers, and while they par
ried and thrust, those in the ranks be
hind them tore at the barricades,
pulling and heaving at the great logs
with all their strength
Point, thrust! One of the defenders
was down, pierced to the heart, and
as he fell, the key-log loosened, crash
ed down, and, like cataract, the en-
tire structure collapsed and tumbled
down the stairs, burying the slair
man under it. But it tripped up the as
sailants, and in a moment victory de
clared itself for the defenders. The
attacking party retired in hot haste
leaving three dead behind them
"Now, Paul, fight bravely for-fol
me- he heard voice in his ear. He
turned, to look into the face of the
princess, who, apparently devoid Of
fear, stood at his side. His hopes
revived. AS the assailants, reform
ing, charged bravely up the stairs, he
singled out Won Holzrath and shout
ed a challenge at him. He saw the
captains eyes flash their answer, and
sword in hand, waited
Won Holzrath came toward him
brandishing his sword. 1t clashet
on Paurs. One moment they Tough
fiercely; the next the rush of the com
batants separated them. Driven bacl
with the defenders, Paul saw Vol
Holzrath spit Van Arnim through the
body and twist loose his sword, as on,
pulls skewer from joint. Their
they were together again. Swifte
and more fierce grew the movement
Of his eLemy's blade, outmatching hi
own, till it flashed before Paups eye'
like a sphere of living light. 1t point
ed, threatened, now here, now there
Paups arm grew weary. A dozen time!
he laid bare his guard. Still Won Holz
rath forbore to strike, but there was {
sneering smile on his lips. Paul fell
his strength leaving him, he thrust
with all is force, he saw Won Holz
rath's b.de meet his and parry it
point itself for the final blow, anC
then
Out of the emperor's apartments
where, fighting desperately for theil
lives, the four men stood, backs
against the wall, there tottered {
frail old man with pale, blue troubled
eyes. And, as he emerged, sudden
ly the din grew quiet, and, where
there had been murderous shouts ant
clashing blades, there might have
been a tableau in marble. The OLE
man came into the passage and his
eyes fell on the assailants, who stood
before him with lowered swords
Then instinctively Franz JOSEPH
Strengthened himself, his form became
erect and his voice grew strong.
Officers of the Guards" he shout
ed. THE Magyars are at our gates
Follow me! Courage!"
He stopped and took sword from
the clutch of dying man, and stood
feebly welding it, calling on the
names of his great captains, dead fifty
years before. The last survivor Of al
those stirring years, he seemed like
one re-arisen from the grave. A SUI
perstitious fear fell on all present
The assailants retreated toward the
head of the stairway, and, gathering
there in little knots, looked with trou
bled eyes upon the pathetic figure Of
their once mighty emperor.
Suddenly without there came a
trumpet call. It echoed through the
halls, electrifying all into life.
"The regiment from Freiburg!'
shouted the princess, and her face
took on the aspect Of an amazon
you are trapped, dogs! You shall
swing high for this! Ha! Freiburg!
Austria! Succor!"
Into the hall below burst a detach
ment of the loyal regiment, their bay
onets set, their fingers on the triggers
of their rifles. One moment, and the
Iassailants fed down the stairs anG
broke into the midst of the newcom
ers. They Glove their way into thu
heart of them, struggling wave amid
the white-coated veterans Of the EN-
peror; in a moment the hall was fill
ed with the tumult Of the new bat
tie.
Princess Clothilde took Paul by The
arm.
You must go now, Paul." she said
| "You have saved Austria and ma