Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-11-29

he knew Paul. He advanced reckless
~ to the edge of the barricade and
Paul spraug up 10 meet him Won
Holzrath saiuted.
VIII her highness Geign to retire
that we may fire also?' he asked.
Paul turned. There stood ClOthilde.
at his elbow. detiantly regarding Step
ans chief confdant
Il shall stand here" she answered
And if you fire, | shall be one of the
victims OF your bullets.
But. Observation-Disclosures high
ness" murmured the captain, regard
ing her in a helpless manner. Very
we'll" he said. I'VE 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 Then
came the rush
Twelve abreast they bounded up the
marble stairs. i'm ranks four deep bran
dishiEE their swords and shouting the
name Of Sjepan 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-poirt, thrust, thrust. point
/ The twelve men In the first rank were
expert feucers, and while they par
ried and thrust, those in the ranks be
/ hind them tore at the barbados.
pulling and heavinE 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 tumblod
down the stairs, burying the slain
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-for
me-" he heard q voice in his ear. Re
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
brandishiug his sword 1t FLASHED
no. oil,
fercely: the next the rush Of the com
batants senaratod them. Driven back
with the defenders, Paul saw Fon
Holzrath spit Van Arnim through the
body and twist loose his sword. as one
pulls a skewer from a joint Then
they We're together again. Swifter
and more fierce Erew the movements
of his enomy's blade. outmatchins his
own. till it flashed before Paurs eyes
like a sphere of living light It point
ed, threatened, now here, now there,
Pauls arm grew weary. A dozen times
he laid bare his guard StiH Won Holz-
rath forbore to strike but there was a
sneering smile on his lips. Paul felt
his strength leaving him, he thrust
with all his force, he saw Won Holz-
rath's blade meet his and parry it,
point itself for the final blow, and
then
Out of the emperor's apartments.
where, fighting desperately for their
lives, the four men stood, backs
against the wall there tottered a
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 and
clashing blades, there might have
been a tableau in marble. The old
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 all
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 1t 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
assailants fed down the stairs and
broke into the midst of the newcom-
ers. They Glove their way into the
heart Of them, struggling wave amid
/ the whfte-coated veterans of the en-
/ peror; in a moment the hall was fill
/ ed with the tumult of the new bat