Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1913-12-19

ed into the courtyard and hammered
upon the gates.
Silence, gentlemen!" Won Arnim
said. 2|t
The hammer:ug grew louder until
the din was tremendous. Evidently
oak beams were being brought into
play. Presently the sounds ceased;
then two minutes later, there was the
roar Of dynamite. The gates rocked
and fell inward, and through the cloud
Of mortar and marble dust figures of
men emerged. It was quite light
now.
They rushed up the stairway, and
suddenly perceiving the barricade and
the defenders and stood still. But
one man ran to the barricade, and
hoarse with passion, shouted and
shook his fists. 1t was Stepan.
Surrender" he cried. Our terms:
your lives are spared. We demand
his majesty and her highness the
princess!"
In ten seconds" responded Van Ar
MIN. I'VE open dre."
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 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.
Nov, Paul, night bravely for-for
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 q challenge at him. He saw the
captains eyes fash their answer, and,
sword in hand, waited.
Won Holzrath came toward him.
brandishing his sword. It clsshed
on Paul's. One moment they fought
fercely; tho next the rush Of the COM
batants separated them. Driven back
with the defenders, Paul saw Won
Holzrath spit Van Arnim through tho
body and twist loose his sword. as one
pulls q skewer from joint. Then
they were together again. Swifter
and more fierce grew the movements
of his enemy's blade, outmatching his
own, till it flashed before Pauls eyes
like sphere Of living light. It point
ed, threatened, now here, now there.
Paul's arm grew weary. A dozen times
he laid bare his guard. Still Won Holz-
rath forbore to strike, but there was
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 1t,
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 q
frail old man with pale, blue troubled
eyes. And, as he emerged, sudden
lily the din grew quiet, and, where
there had been murderous shouts and
clashing blades, there might haveN
been q tableau in marble. The old
man came into the passage and his
eyes fell on the assa:Sants, who stood
before him with lowered swords
Then instinctively Fran. Joseph
Strengthened himself, his form became
erect and his voice grew strong.
"Of1cers 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
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 . 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 white-coated veterans Of the en-
peror: In q moment the hall was I'LL.
ed with the tumult OF the new bat
tie.
Princess Clothilde took Paul by the
arm.
"You must 60 now, Paul." she said.
| Uv.,, hove oovo6 Aucfria and ma. |