The Elbert County tribune., 1906-06-14


fed with twaining your bodies. In
holy Russia we are plain men. We
have saying. No one hath ever seen
soul. Let the body content you.'
When this gentleman is-what shall
make him, he is welcome to any com
munion of spirits to which he can at
tain with you. I promise you that. so
far as he is concerned, you shall find
me neither exigent lover nor jealous
husband"
And the Prince of Muscovy laughed
loud and long. But Prince Louis did
not laugh. His eyes glared upon the
prisoner like those of a wild beast
caught in corner when it wishes to
fee but cannot.
He shall die-this day shall be his
last. swear it," he cried. "He hath
mocked me- and l will slay him with
my hand"
He drew the dagger from his belt.
But in the center of the hall the
Sparhawk stood so still and quiet that
Prince Louis hesitated. Ivan laid
soft hand upon his wrist and as gently
drew the dagger out of his grasp.
Nay, my Prince, he will give him
a worthier passing than that. So no
BILE knight-errant must die no com
mon death. What say you to the
| Ukraine Cross, the Cross of Steeds?
have here four horses. all wild from
the steppes This squire of DANES.
this woman-mummer. hath, as now we
know, four several limbs. By a strange
coincidence | have wild horse for
Of Of
| be severally attached, my Cossacks
know how. Upon each flank let the
lash be laid-and-well the Princess
| Margaret is welcome to her liege lords
soul. l warrant she will not desire his
body any more
At this Margaret tottered, her knees
| giving way beneath her, so that her
| guards stood nearer to catch her If
| she should fall.
"Louis-my brother" she cried, "do
not listen to the monster. XIII my
husband If you will-because l love
him. But do not torture him. BY the
last words of our mother, by the
memory of our father, by your faith
in the Most Pitiful Son of God, |
| charge you-do not this devilry'
Prince Ivan did not give Louis of
Courtland time to reply to his sisters
| appeal.
| The most noble Princess mistakes"
he murmured. suavely. Death by
the Cross of Steeds is no torture. 1t
is the easiest of death. have wit
messed 1t often. In my country 1t is
reserved for the greatest and most dis
tinguished. No common felon dies by
the Cross of Steeds, but men whose
pride 1t is to die greatly. We will
show you tomorrow on the plain
across the river that | speak the truth
1t is noble sight and all Courtland
shall be there. What say you, Louis ?
Shall this springald seat himself in
your princely chair. or-shall we try
the Cross of the Ukraine?"
Have 1t your own way. Prince
Ivan!" said Louis, and went out with
out another word. The Muscovite
stood moment looking from Maurice
to Margaret and back again. He
was smiling his inscrutable Oriental
smile.
Let the Princess pass" he cried.
The guards dropped their swords to
their sides.
Instantly the Princess Margaret ran
forward with eager appeal on her face
She dropped on her knees before the
Prince of Muscovy and clasped her
hands in supplication.
Prince 1van," she said, "I pray you
for the love of God to spare him, to
let him go. promise never to see
him more. will go to nunnery. I
will look no more upon the face OF
day"
''Thas, above all things, I cannot al.
low" said the Prince. so fair face
must see many suns-soon, l trust, in
Moscow and by my side"
Margaret" said the Sparhawk. at
is useless to plead. Do not abase your.
self in tne presence of our enemy. You
cannot touch mans heart when his
breast covers stone. Bid me good.
by and be brave. The time will not
be long"
Like child after its bedside prayer
she lifted up her face to be kissed.
Goodnight. Maurice" she said
simply. wait for me; l shall not be
long after!"
She laid her brow moment on his
breast. Then she lifted her head and
walked slowly and proudly out of the
hall. The guard fell in behind her
and Maurice Won Lynar was left alone
with the Prince of Muscovy.
AS the door closed upon the Prin
cess a sudden devilish grimace of fury
distorted the countenance of the
Prince Ivan. Hitherto he had been
| studiously and oven caraseinplv cour
teous. But now he strobe swiftly UT
to his captive and smote him across
the mouth with the back of his gaunt
leted hand.
"That!" he said furiously, that foI
the lips which have kissed hers. To
morrow will pay the rest of my debt