River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-11-20

stepped forward from below and came
forward up the grand stairway. Pau
knew him. 1t was Won Holzrnth. AnC
he knew Paul. He advanced reckless
ly to the edge of the barricade and
Paul sprang up to meet him. Won
Holzrath saluted.
viii 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 confidant
Il 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 a helpless manner. Very
WELL" 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 murInur of voices. Then
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 barbados,
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 slain
man under 1t. 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 a 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 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 clashed
on Pauls. One moment they fought
f1ercely; the next the rush of the COM
batants separated them. Driven back
with the defenders, Paul saw Won
Holzrath spit Van Arnim through the
body and twist loose his sword, as one
pulls a skewer from a joint. Then
they were together again. Swifter
and more fierce grew the movements
of his Ell emy's blade, outmatching his
own, till it flashed before Pauls eyes
like a sphere of living light 1t point
ed, threatened, now here, now there.
du1 dl III SISW WOd1 y. IA dOACAl
he laid bare his guard Still 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 lis force, he saw Won HolZ-
rath's b.>de meet his and parry 1t,
point itself for the final blow, and
then
Out of the emperors 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
Iy 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 a 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 detach-
ment of the loyal regiment, their bay
onets set, their fingers on the triggers
Of their rifles One moment, and the
assaiIants 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 a moment the hall was fill
ed with the tumult of the new bat
tle
Princess Clothilde took Paul by the