The Elbert County tribune., 1906-08-02
JOAN 4ss 4R SWORD HAND
81 S.RROCETT 4uM.oc o| ne Rx0ae,iso
(Copyright 1898 1900. by s. r. Crockett)
Chapter xxx.-continued.

Chapter XXx.-Continued.
She clasped her hands. going a step
or two nearer Boris as if in appeal.
DO. kind sirs," she said, have pity
on two poor girls who have no work
to do Think-we are orphans and far
from home,"
Il will have this one-she is so
merry" cried solemn Boris. seizing
Anna Pappenheim about the waist.
And l this She pretendeth mel
ancholy, yet has tricks like a mon
key!" said Jorian, quickly following
his example. The girls Tended them
gallantly. yet. as mayhap they desired
their case was hopeless.
In this prosperous estate was the
courtship of Franconia and Plassen-
burg, when some instinct drew the
eyes OF Jorian to the door OF the
guard-room, which Anna had carefully
left open at her entrance, in order to
secure their retreat
The Duchess Joan stood there silent
and regardant.
The next moment both the late en-
voys of Plassenburg were saluting as
stiffly as If they had still been men-at-
arms, while Anna and Martha, blush
ing divinely, were busy with their
needlework in the corner, as demure
as cats caught slipping cream.
Joan looked at the four a while with
out speaking.
, Captains Boris and Jorian," she
said sternly, "a messenger has come
from Prince Conrad to say that the
Muscovites press him hard. He asks
for instant reinforcements. There is
not man fit for duty within the city
save your command. VIII you take
them to the Princes assistance i'm
mediately? Werner Won Orseln fights
by his side. Maurice and my Kerns-
bergers are already on their way
my lady, 1t is heartbreakipg, but
we cannot" said Boris dolefully. "Our
Lord Prince Hugo bade us keep the
city till he should arrive!"
"Cowards!" cried Joan, 81 will go
myself The cripples, the halt, and
the blind shall follow me. Thora of
Bornheim and these maidens there
they shall follow me to the rescue OF
their Prince"
And at this her voice broke and she
sobbed out, "Cowards, cowardsl cow
ards! God preserve me from coward
ly men!"
Boris looked at Jorian. Jorian look
ed at Boris.
mo, madam" said Boris gravely;
your servants are no towards. 1t is
true that we were commanded by our
master to keep his Palace Guard with
in the city walls, and these must stay.
But we two are in some sense still
ENJOYS Extraordinary. and not strictly
of the Princes Palace Guard. AS En-
voys, therefore. charged with free
commission in the interests of peace,
we can without wrongdoing accom-
pany you whittier you will. En-.
Jorian?"
."Ay," quoth Jorian; 1--WE are at her
Highness's service till ten o. the
clock"
And why till ten?" asked Joan,
turning to go out.
"Oh" returned Jorian, there is
guard-changing and other matters to
see to. But there is time for wealth
of fighting before ten. Lead on, ma
dam. We follow your Highness!"
IL was SlrdhBe' uHcouth paiu 'hat
Joan had got together in a handful
of minutes in order to accompany her
to the field upon which. sullenly re-
tiring before the vastly more numer-
Gus enemy, Conrad and his little army
stood at bay.
The tWo captains turned away in
disgust. They walked to and fro a
little apart, and Boris, who loved all
animals, kicked a dog that came his
way. Boris was unhappy. He avoid
ed Jorian's eye. At last he broke out:
I'VE cannot let our Lady Joan set
forth for field with such a following
of mumpers and tun-barrels as these!"
he said.
Boris confded this. as it were. to the
housetops Joriap apparently did not