The Elbert County tribune., 1906-06-14
JOAN fHis 4H SWORD HAND
~ s.RROCNETT.A .Au1hor AZ MeRnazse;0c
CHAPTER XIII.
Prince Wasp stings

Prince Wasp stings-
Margaret did not answer her Tor
mentors taunt Her arms were about
Maurice's neck, and her lips, salt w'th
tears. sought his in last kiss. The
officer of the Princes guard touched
her on the shoulder. She shook him
haughtily on, and then. having COM
pleted her farewells, she loosened her
hands and went slowly backward 10
wards the further end of the hall with
her eyes still upon the man she
loved.
so" cried Prince Louis, in the
ciiriously uneven voice OF coward
lashing himself into fury, you nave
played out your treachery upon
reigning Prince of Courtland. You
cheated me at Castle Kernsberg. you
have made me a laughing STOCK
throughout the empire. You have
shamed maiden of my house, my SIS
ter. the daughter of my father. what
have you to say ere order you to be
flung out from the battlements OF the
western tower?"
Gentlemen and Princes" Maurice
Won Lynar answered, that which
have done have done for the sake oil
my mistress, the Lady Joan, and am
not afraid Prince Louis. 1t was her
will and intent never to come 10
Courtland as your wife. She wouid
not have been taken alive. 1t was
therefore the duty of her servants to
preserve her life. and I offered myself
in her stead. My life was hers al
ready, for she had preserved 1t. she
had given. 1t was hers to take. with
the chief captains of Kernsberg
plotted that she should be seized and
carried to a place of refuge wherein
no foe could ever find her. There she
abides with chosen men to guard her.
] took her place and was delivered up
that Kernsberg might be cleared of
its enemies. Gladly / came that l
might pay little Of my debt to my
sovran lady and liege mistress. Joan,
Duchess OF Kernsberg and Hohen-
STEM
'Nobly peroratedl" cried Prince
Ivan, clapping his hands. Right So
norously ended But, listen. Sir Mum.
mer, in all this there is no word OF
the Princess Margaret. How comes 1t
that you loudly proclaim having given
yourself a noble sacrifice for one fair
lady, when at the same time you are
secretly married to another? Are you
a deliverer of ladies' by Wholesale?
Speak to this point. Let us have an
other noble period-its subject my affi-
anced bride. Already we have heard
of your high devotion to Prince Louis
wife. Well-next!"
But 1t was the Princess who spoke
from where she stood behind the
crossed swords of her guards.
"That will answer. l am woman
and weak In your hands, princes both.
You have set the grasp OF rude men
alarms upon the wrists of Princess
of Courtland. But you can never com.
pei hersoul. Brother Louis, my father
committed me to you as little child
have ! not been a loving and faith
full sister to you? And till this Musco-
vite came between were you not good
to me? Wherefore have you changed?
Why has he made you cruel to your
little Margaret"
Prince Louis turned towards his
sister. moving his hands uncertainty
and even deprecatingly.
Ivan moved quickly to his side and
whispered something, which rekindled
the light of anger in the weakling's s
eyes.
you are no sister of mine," he
said; you have disgraced your family
and yourself. Whether it be true or
not that you are married to this man
matters little!"
1T is true; do not lie!" said Mar
garet, recovering herself.
at is the worse. then, and he shall