Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1913-12-12


stepped forward from below and came
forward up the grand stairway. Paul
knew him. II was Won Holzrath. And |
he knew Paul. He advanced reckless
ly to the edge of the barricade and |
Paul sprang up TO meet him. Won
Holzrath saluted.
'WiH 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 conndant.
Il shall stand here" she answered.
And If you fire, shall be one of the /
victims of your bullets.
But, mademoiseIle- high
ness" murmured the captain. regard
ing her in 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 murmur 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 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 slain
man under 1t. But 1t tripped up the as
sailants, and in moment victory de-
claFed 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 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 cIashed
on PauRs. One moment they fought
fiercely; the next the rush of the COM
batants separated them Driven back
with the defenders, Paul saw Won
Holzrfah spit Van Arnim through the
body and twist loose his sword, as one
pulls skewer from a joint. Then
they were together again Swifter
and more fierce grew the movements
of his enemys blade, outmatching his
own, till 1t flashed before Paul's eyes
! like a sphere of living light 1t point
ed, threatened, now here, now there.
PauPs arm grew weary. A dozen times
he laid bare his guard Still Won Holz-
rath forbore to strike, but there was a
sneering smile on his lips. Paul felt
hts 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 eIaperors 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.
"Oficers of the Guards!" he shout
ed. 1.-THE Magyars are at our gates!
Follow me! Courage!"
He stopped and took a sword from
the clutch of q 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 su.
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 g
4 trumpet call. It echoed through the
!. halls, electrifying all into life.
A The regiment from Freiburg!'
shouted the princess. and her face
! took on the aspect of an amazon
) you. are trapped, dogs! You shall
a swing high for thisl 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
a of their rifles. One moment, and the
. assailants fed down the stairs and
d broke into the midst of the newcom
ers. They Glove their way into the
g heart of them, struggling wave amid
Q the white-coated veterans of the EN-
:. peror; in moment the hall was fill
b ed with the tumult of the new bat
+ tie.