The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1906-03-10
JOAN e e. SWORD HAND
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At the kiqh Altar,
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CHAPTER X.

Al the high Altar.
When Maurice Won Lynar reached
Tx. open air he stood for full FIVE min
utss, light-headed in the rush of the
city traffic. The loud reiteration of
rejoicing sounded heartless and even
inpeTtinent in his ear. The world had
changed for the young Dane since the
Count Won Loen had been summoned
by the Princess Margaret.
He cast his mind back over the in
terview, but failed to disentangle any
thing definite. 1t was a maze of i'm
pressions out of which grew the GER
tainty that safely to play his difficult
part he must obtain the whole conf
dence of the Duchess Joan.
The young Dane found the duchess
walking UP and down on the noble
= promenade which faced the river to
Dthe west
"Ah. Won Lynar. my brave Dane,
what good wind brings you here?' she
cried. Il declare l was longing for
soLre one to talk to-" A consciousness
of need which had only just come
upol her.
Il hava seen the Princess Margaret
said the youth slowly. and | think
that she must mistake me for some
other person. She spoke things most
strange TO me-
The eyes of the duchess danced. A
load seemed suddenly lifted off Ter
mind.
Was she very angry?" she queried.
Very" returned Won Lynar smil-
ing in recognition of her smile.
What said the princess?"
First she would have it that my
name and style was that of the Count
Won Ioen. Then she reproaehed me
fiercely because l denied it. After
that she spoke of certain foreign GUS
toms she had been taught, recalled
walks through corridors and rose gar
dens with me, till my head swan
and I knew not what to answer
Joan of the Sword Hand laughed
merry peal.
The Count Won Loen. did she say?"
she mediated. We'll, so you are the
Count Won Loen. l create you the
Count Won Loen. l give you the title.
l give you also Herewith the estates
which pertain to the title. They are
situated on the borders of Reichenau.
l am SO happy tonight that l would
like to make all the world happy. l
am sorry for all the folk l have in
jured."
Love changes all things" said the
Dane, sentenuously.
The duchess looked at him quickly.
You are in love-with the Princess
Margaret" she said. -,---.---------
The youth blushed deep crimson
with flooded his neck and dyed his
dusky skin.
Poor Maurice," she said, touching
his bowed head with her hand, your
troubles will not be to seek"
My lady, said the youth, 81 fear
not trouble. ! have promised to serve
the princess in all things. She has
been kind to me. She has forgiven
me all
"So-you are to change your allesi-
ance,' said the duchess. But how
did you manage to appease her? That
is no mean feat. She is an imperious
lady and quick of understanding
Then Maurice Won Lynar told his
mistress of his most allowable false
hoods, and begged her not to unde-
ceive the princess. for that he would
rather bear all that she might put
upon him than that she should know
he had lied to her.
DO not be afraid" said the duchess,
t'it was | who tangled the skein. So
ar you have unravelled it very we'll
#'he least | can do is to leave you to
unwind it to the end, my brave Count
on Loen."
The morning of the great day
awned cool and grey. The streets