The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1906-12-25
s.RCROCKETT.A uMor Of MeRnaaes,
Copyright. 1898, 1900, by S. R. Crockett)
CHAPTER x.
At the Hiqh Altar.

At the High Altar.
When Maurice Won Lynar reached
theOpen air he stood for full five min
utes, light-headed in the rush of the
city traffic. The loud reiteration OF
rejoicing sounded heartless and even
impertinent in his ear. The world had
changed for the young Dane since the
Count o 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
the west.
"Ah, Won Lynar, my brave Dane,
what good wind brings you here?" she
cried. 81 declare l was longing for
some n to talk to-" A consciousness
of need which had only just come
upon her.
II have seen the Princess Margaret"
said the youth slowly, "and l 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 her
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 Loen. Then she reproached me
fiercely because I 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 a
merry peal.
"The Count Won Loen, did she say?"
she mediated. well so you are the
Count Won Loen. I create you the
Count Won Loen. I give you the title.
4 E1N0 IGu dloO AlElC hhC -
which pertain to the title. They are
situated on the borders of Reichenau.
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, sententiously.
The duchess looked at him quickly.
"You are in love-with the Princess
Margaret" she said.
The youth blushed a 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, Il fea1
not trouble. 1 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 allegi
ance," said the duchess. But how
did you manage to appease her? Thai
is no mean feat. She is an imperiouE
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 pu-
upon him than that she should know
he had lied to her.
DO not be afraid" said the duchess
cit was / who tangled the skein. 81
far you have unravelled it very well
The least 1 can do is to leave you t.
unwind it to the end, my brave Coun
Won Loen."
The morning of the great da!
dawned cool and grey. The streets