Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 23, 1924 — page 153: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

i _A CENTAUR OF NAVARRE. ¢ M. d’Orsang had come near us and had heard. “She has reason!” he exclaimed, and in a lower voice meant for me. ‘‘ This makes my gifts complete.” He turned to one of the priests. “Marry them, father,” he said. He bowed toward his guests. “I invited you to a wedding, my friends. You shall not be cheated of it.” ‘By Saint George!” roared Mark, com- prehending the trend of events. “ Tie the knot! I will keep them back out there!” And he hastened to the front door and stood there with his sword like a red headed Saint Michael. I looked down at Serene. For the first time that day there was color in her cheeks. “Do you consent?” I asked her. “Foolish Hilaire—why, pray, did I send for you?” I am quite sure that I kissed her. ‘You are welcome to all my poor trap- pings here,” said M. d’Orsang, pointing to the bower and altar opposite the door. “TI will engage that you shall not be disturbed.” He limped rapidly into the hall. Events had been crowding rather fast for my poor head; but I mustered wit enough to lead my lady to the altar, behind which the priest had betaken himself. I would gladly have stood behind it, too, to hide the trembling of my legs. Hardly were we in place when a loud voice on the lawn summoned Mark, as the only visible’ garrison, to give up the door- way. Then we heard the rasping tones of the viscount: “This is my door, my fine fellow, and I will protect it.” The priest began the marriage service. From the doorway M. d’Orsang’s harsh croaking sounded again: “Tn five minutes you may come in. Be- fore that time no man shall enter—not even vou, M. the Béarnais.” “Thousand devils! But I say that I will enter now,” answered the king. “Stand out of that doorway, M. d’Or- sang!” “Not for five minutes.” A clash of steel followed, and I knew that the king and the viscount were at it. eS ——< Tt. = oe < ae . > SSS eee en HS eS Bh pee eee felt her tremble under his regard. dil Not for any business less important than what I was about would I have missed that swordplay. As it was, my attention was divided. Twice. I felt Serene tug at my hand impatiently; and I knew that I must have been making a mess )>f my responses. But I got through with it somehow. With the ‘“‘ amen,” one of M. d’Orsang’s friends called the word to him, and he let fall his sword. “You may come in now,” he said. I tucked my wife under my arm and passed to the rear of the altar, where I could have a wall behind me. Mark had come in, and he and my men ranged them- selves with me. In a quick glance around I saw only determined faces and_ shining eyes. Brave fellows! Whatever fate should be mine, they were willing to share. The viscount’s friends and servants drew away toward the lower end of the parlor. The priest who had married us remained at the altar. Steel shod feet clanked along the corri- dor. The room began to fill with the king’s troopers. Two of them led in M. d’Orsang. He was bleeding from a slight gash in the cheek. A quick step approached the doorway. At each side of it the soldiers stood at sa- lute; and the arms of my men were lifted also. The king came in and paused in front of the altar. The dust of many roads was thick upon his armor and in his beard, and his face was haggard from weariness; but his keen gray eyes were bright and restless, with a glint of anger in them. Around the room they shifted, from the priest at the altar to the viscount’s guests and soldiers, and then to the group of us against the wall, where I stood with an arm around Serene. “ Ventre Saint Gris!’ he swore with a short laugh. ‘I have traveled shorter dis- tances to more cordial greetings. What has happened here?” “A wedding,” answered M. d’Orsang. Henri’s glance flashed to Serene, and I He strode over toward the viscount. ‘“Unhand him,” he commanded. The troopers obeyed. EComicboo mM (eo)