The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1906-12-04
Johann in the Summer Palace.
CHAPTER VII.


1t vas with a beating heart Johann
Pyrmont knocked at the door Of ene
summer palace.
"Enteri" said a masculine voice
within, with startling suddenness.
And opening the door and %grasping
his papers, the secretary suddenly
found himself in the presence of
the hero of the tournament.
You have business with me,
young sir2" said the prince, courte-
ously. turning upon the youth a regard
full of dignity and c-ondescension. The
knees of Johann Pyrmont trembled.
Fol a full moment his tongue refused
its office.
81 come" he said at last, Ito convey
these documents to the me~t noble
Prince of CORTLAND and wilma" He
gained courage as he spoke. for he
had carefully rehearsed this speech
to Dessauer. Il am acting as secre-
tary to the ambassador-in lieu Of a
better. These are the proposals con-
corning alliance between the realms
proposed by our late master, the
Prince Karl, before his death; and
now, it is hoped to be ratified and car
Tied out between CORTLAND and Plas-
senburg under his SUCCESSORS, the
Princess Helene and her husband"
The tall, ~fair-haired Prince took the
papers from the hand of Johann Pyr-
mont. and laid them on a desk be-
side, him. without, however, breaking
the seals.
He stood regarding the youth,
whose bushes came and went as he
stood %irresolute before him.
"A modest lad" said the prince to
himself. this righteousness is par
ticularly charming in a secretary of
legation. 1 must see more of him."
Suddenly a thought appeared 10
cross his mind.
why. did l not hear that you came
to us by way of K~ernsberg." he said.
The bushes ceased and a certain
pallor showed under the tan, which
overspread the young mans face as
the prince continued to gaze fxedly
at him. He could only bow in assent.
Then, doubtless, you would see the
Duchess Joan?" he continued. "Is
she very beautiful? They say So"
81 do not think so. l never thought
about it at ALL" answered the secre-
tary.
The prince laughed, throwing back
his head a little.
THAT is surely a strange story to
bring here to CORTLAND" he said.
whittier the lady is to come as a
bride ere longl Especially strange
to tell me, who"
"I- ask your pardon" said Johann
Pyrmont, your Highness must bear
with me. l have never done an er.
rand of such moment before, having
mostly spent my life among soldiers
and Che was on his guard now) in a
fortress. For diplomacy and word,
play I have no skill-no, nor any Xix
ingi"
You have chosen your trade
strangely then" smiled the prince, 'tc
proclaim such tastes. Wherefore are
you not a soIdier?"
Il ami ami" cried Johann eager
iy; "at least, as much as it is allowed
to one of my-of my strength to be-
81 doubt not, young sir, that you
were one of the mighty army of ad
mirers which, they say, continually
surrounds the Duchess of Hohen
steini' said the prince.
Indeed, you are in great error. my
lord" said Johann Pyrmont, witt
great earnestness and obvious SINGER
ity; 81 never in my life said one sin
gle word of love to the Lady Joan
no, mol to any other womani"
NO" said a new voice from tht
doorway, that of the Princess Margar
ct, "but doubtless you took grea
pleasure in teaching them foreign Gus
toms. And I am persuaded you diC
it well, tool"
The Prince left his desk for tn,
first time and came smiling toward: