The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-21
A NOVEL A WEEK.
Next Week
"GOOD INDIAN"
BY Ii. Nj. Bower.

serve."
l had the shoe in my hand, and
she had bent forward to look at
1t, when l started to my feet. In
moment / had thrust the shoe
away and my sword was gripped
in my hand. Some one was push
ing his way through the under
growth, even as we had done.
At the top of the bank opposite,
the bushes had parted. Pale, dis
heveled, was the seneschal, and
behind him stood Christian of
Varna.
The Count laughed, that boyish
laughter which always had some
thing SO attractive about 1t.
Il said we should meet once
more, Heselton. 1t is not my fault
that 1t was not at noon today"
l did not answer. l was listen
ing for sounds I'm the wood behind
him. The Count guessed what
was In my mind.
I'VE are alone, we four; you
and /, each with his witness. This
Is secure retreat. But for the
seneschal here, who CHANGED to
know of it, you would not have
been found.
And this same serving maid
looks wondrousIy we'll as a page"
he went on. You cannot marvel
that l am your rival"
mo, that does not astonish
me-"
you are not the only fool, Hes
elton. l am of the brotherhood.
IL were easy to surround this hol-
low with men, and a word would
make an end of the affair; but a
woman robs me of wisdom, and
sets us face to face, one man
against another, with only our
courage and our skill to help us.
/ would prove myself the worthier
Of the two in the eyes of the wo-
man."
You play the man but how
about the seneschal?" | asked.
plague take it, Heselton, he
would not have troubled us at all
had you been wise and hanged
him. Your cloak"
The seneschal hesitated to give
1t. and said something in a whis-
per.
Your cloak" demanded the
Count, land stand where you
are"
Partly with his sword, partly
by tearing, the Count slit the
cloak into bands, which he
knotted together, and with this
improvised rope he bound the
seneschal to one of the saplings
which grew on the steep bank op-
posite. Then he gagged the man
and bound a thick piece of the
cloth over his mouth.
Are you satisfied" he said
to me.
1T seems secure" I answered.
Still the odds are heavy
against you, Heselton, but we'll
set them at balance. Tethered
in a little clearing yonder are
two horses, the seneschal's and
mine. The seneschals is for the
lady; mine is yours IL you leave
this hollow. With one of us the
lady shall ride tonight"
Count"
Stay, man, there is not yet an
equal balance" he said. Some
wandering guards might encout-
er you and bring trouble. Catch.
1t is my ring. Let the lady take
1t. That shJuld give you safe con-
duct from end to end of Sake
Oldenburg."
l passed the ring behind me to
my lady. This was a generosity
beyond all expectation. 1t made
me feel mean by comparison.
is death the only solution of
the difficulty" l asked. Cannot
your generosity go one step fur
Their aid let the lady decide which
of us shall ride with her to-
night?"
THAT is unworthy, Heselton,"
he laughed, IAN attempt to pull
the balance in your favor. The
lady is prejudiced Just now and
cannot choose wisely. Between
us, the sword decides"
With the naked weapon in his
hand, he came to the center of
the hollow, and there l met him.
He did not leave me long in
doubt as to what manner of
swordsman / had to do with. His
pose was easy. his body lissome,
his wrist flexible, yet of iron. His
play was quick and brilliant.
More than once / could see that
he thought my defense over late
and believed he had my measure.
The light was failing. l was
conscious OF no sound but the
ring of the steel.
= The Count suddenly parted
thrust of mine awkwardly and at
the same time cried out:
Look! Mademoiselle!"
Sharply came an answer.
mol"
1t was my lady who spoke. But
for the short, quick word, should
have turned. She understood; for
an instant, I did not. The Count
kn 1aIt A-Iw