Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-10-17

o. ---o---.-. 1uTlt ihruout OF teak
wood and bamboo.
At length came the day for Eide
CONS return from the court.
what makes you so restless, Jo-
van?' asked Demos.
Il know not exactly" replied the
dwarf. hut | fear all is not well with
Edecon," and he would not say no
more. But as the shadows heightened
ont and still no sign Of the returning
emissary was visible. Demos and the
dwarf sought out Attila.
The two were privileged. and so.
sltho the guards knew that the King
slept. they were allowed 10 pass.
They found the huge Hun lying in I'M.
conscious slumber upon the floor of
his room. Very quietly they conceal
ed themselves and waited
II was long and weary wait be
fore the guard peered in and then ad.
mitted a man. In appearance he was
Edecon. but the two concealed were
suspicious. He smiled slowly as he
slipped his hand closely 10 his side
ard edged toward The sleeping Hun
Swiftly he bent over. but not so
swiftly as Demos flew from behind
the curtain and knocked the dagger
from his hand or the Dwarf shrilled
for help. In an instant Attila was up
and in Gcti0n. To the surprise of all.
he saved the impostor from execu'
ton. and when the real Edecon came
back to camp unframed he sent the
impostor back to his king with a
scorEful message.
For weeks and weeks the army
campcd in the mountain, guarding the
passes. and planned to take Constan-
tinople.
The Emperor Theodosius died and
Marcian ruled in his stead, but still
the Huns fingered and every day
found Demos improved in his know
ledge of war and fighting under the
skiliul tuition of the dwarf. who, al
tho in no wise able TO take upon him.
self any burden, knew the science of
war 30 nicely.
lnaction palled upon Attila after a
time, and he accepted Genseric's inyi-
tation to invade western Europe. Once
more the air rang to Attilas battle
cry as he and his horde pressed down
through the dark forestclad North in.
to Gaul
Not long after ne had crossed the
| Rhine, The scourge Of God surrounded
Chalons, and his fierce heart was full
Of JOY at the prospect of subduing the
city and laying it low, when sudden
alarm swept through the ranks. En-
pcror Actius, with the support of the
arms of Europe, had arrived to the at
tack.
In the mighty battle which follow.
eu, Demos was never absent from AT
tila's side. Through the thickest OF
the fight he rode like a whiriwind
gone mad with all his fierce love for
! the master who had befriended him
directing his blors.
But the shock was too much for At.
tia's army ,and retreat was begun
despite all he could do.
The followers OF the scourge of Cod
! everywhere snatched of their saddles
and built a great pile. upon the top of
/ which stood Joyan, motionless and
I sCgrowful. Demos stood at the foot,
/ II his hand a lighted torch, ready at a
moments warning to set the ri,"
ablaze,
/ Present, like a maniac, Alta. dash
/ ed into camp, the yelling horde of
/ Gauls, Franks, Romans and Goths at
| his heels.
| He gave a glance to whore Jovan
stood. solitary, pathetic figure with
misshappen, reckoning arm held out,
and with one leap he stood beside the
! little figure, while all the army Of
the enemy stood gazing at the strange
/ sight, and Demos stood ready at the
first sign Of hostility to fire the heap
rather than let his king fall into their
| hands.
/ II is small wonder that Attila was
I allowed to escape unframed into Ge:-
/ many.
A year later, when Attila lay dead
beside the Danube, Jovan lay at his
feet, in his faithful heart the wound
| of the dagger which had been found
| by Demos. plunged by his own mis-
happen hands.