The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-02-25
\ 20 20 7 HE
A r
i A Romance
| OF lDrwss@ml@mdl
CContinued.1


memory.
1.-The expected knight was to do
many things in Drussenland,' he said.
HE was to bring peace and plenty
into it. That he should be mighty in
achievement I believed, but with that
1 have nothing to do. My Office him
ders me from welding a sword, and,
though my heart may leap at the sight
Of brave deeds, L 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
disrepute, 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 a law. Think you peace and
plenty shall be poured into the laps of
those who sin? rejoiced at the
knights coming, so is my sorrow keen
er that he has made his mission of
none effect. For him punishment
awaits at the hand Of him who sent
him Our duty is not to delds his>-go-
ing. If it be so willed that as he
came miraculousIy SO niraculously
can he be taken from us, then it shall
be. But death is the only means we
morta1s know of by which he can re-
turn. Therefore by death should we
seek pardon for ourselves. would
my words could take a happier tone
If my eyes are blinded, if I have not
read our laws Alright, then power will
be granted to the knight to increase my
wisdom I wish not to condemn him
unheard. It is not that condemn him
it is our religion which does So
'sFor my own part, I had rather re-
main SILENT said Count Vasca. cit
may seem envious in me to seek to
condemn knight who in tournament
has met me honestly and in the field
has fought valiantly. Indeed, I speak
only for the many as chief of the
knights who attend your highness."
taThat we know, Sir Vasca,' said the
princess, looking hxedly at him
She did not take her eyes from him
while he spoke. Perhaps he saw dis
trust in them, for, after beginning SO
humb1y, he went On bitterly enough:
sHThe priest has spoken of the laws
With them have nothing to do, but,
since the priests and I have been of
ten at variance, in that we are agreed
in this matter proves the justice of
our complaint The knight was to &C
complish two things with which l am
concerned-to place your highness on
the throne in Yadasara and to find
treasure that should bring plenty to
our land I blame not that these
things are not yet accomplished, but
that nothing has been done We are
at present divided country, and
whichever side finds the treasure wins
also the throne in Yadasara. These
foreign dogs the king has brought into
this land would leave him tomorrow
were they paid for doing SO, and there
T., 1T <7ik y11o
would march to Yadasara tomorrow
were the treasure in the kings hands.
The time is ripe to win or to lose, for
success or rebellion. They expected
much of Sir Verrall's coming. They
believe they are doomed to disappoint-
ment, therefore they cry out. Though,
as a true Drussenlander, I have no
pity for those who attacked the knight
when he stood your highness' senti-
mel, stin affirm that he has only him
self to blame. II he is the expected
knight let him fulfill his mission; If
not let him answer for the lie which
made us give him welcome"
A murmur Of appreciation sounded
through the hall Then all eyes turn
| ed toward me. found courage in
the look that was in the princess eyes
as she turned to me-
'sI am accused of breaking a law or
OF causing your highness to break it, .
| I said. at is true. That succeeded,
though with difficulty, as you, who
heard me make my petition, know
well, is the greatest good I have ac-
complished since have been in Drus-
senland I will tell you why Your
| priest said if he had judged anfss I
should have power to increase his
wisdom That power I have, I wish
him power to understand, and not
only the priest, but all you who hear
| me- From whence came you do not
know. You have a legend which you
| look to be fulfilled, and at my coming
you welcomed me. Think you fulfill
ment comes exactly as men expect?
The priests have wisdom, and they
| prophesy, but I came into Drussen-
| land from more enlightened country,
where the wisdom of your priests
would be but as the idle prattling of
q child. This law of yours that pris-
| oners Of war shall be slain was
framed when men knew little of him
/ they worshiped This he bids me tell
you-that to kill men as you would
kill your prisoners is murder. In that
the priests prophesy disaster to this
land because that law is broken they
err most grievously. prophesy peace
for this land If you let mercy rule you
rather than vengeance. I fear moth
| ing of what you can do to me. Death!
| What is it? A moment in time that
sends me to a life of rest. But have
| a mission, as every true man has, and
| If in living I cannot fulfill it It shall
| be fulfilled in dying. That is my an
swer to your priests. They err from
| ignorance. have been given power
| to speak wisdom to them. Let them
beware how they shut their ears to
| the voice that speaks the truth.
| Count Vasca's accusation is of a
| different kind. I have not yet placed
your princess on the throne in Yada-
| sara. I have not yet found the treas
| Hre hidden in this land. But he has
made a graver accusation, not against