The Elbert County tribune., 1906-07-19

For almost five minutes they stood
thus without speech; then Joan drew
away her hands.
You forget" she said smiling, that
was forbidden in the bond"
MY lady" he said, was not the
bond for Isle Rugen alone? Here we
are comrades in the strife. We must
save our fatherland. have laid aside
my priesthood. II live, shall appeal
to the Holy Father TO loose me wholly
from my vows"
Smilingiy she put his eager argu-
ment by.
TT was of another vow I spoke. |
am not the Holy Father. and for this
I will not give you absolution. We
are comrades, 1t is true-that and no
morei Tomorrow ride to Kerns-
berg. where | will muster every man,
call down the shepherds from the hills,
and be back with you by the ALA be-
fore the Muscovite can attack you. l.
Joan of the Sword Hand, promise IT."
She stamped her foot. half in earn
est and half in mockery of the sonor-
GUS name by which she was known.
II would rather you were Joan of
the Grange at Isle Rugen, and | your
jerkined servitor. cleaving the wood
that you might bake the bread"
Conrad" said Joan. shaking her
head wistfully, such thoughts are not
wise for you and me 10 harbor. We
must stand to our dignities now when
the enemy threatens and the people
need us. Afterwards. an 1t like us, we
may step down together"
Joan" said Conrad, very gravely,
do not fear for me. have turned
once from career never chose.
Death alone shall turn me back this
time"
81 knew it," she answered; 81 never
doubted it, But what shall we do with
this poor lovesick bride of ours?"
And she told him of her interview
that morning with his sister. Conrad
laughed gently, yet with sympathy.
Leave me Won Orseln, and do you
take the young man." said Conrad;
then Margaret will go with you will
ingly and gladly"
But she will want to return-that
is, If Maurice comes, too"
Isle Rugen?" suggested Conrad
Send your ten men who know the
road If they could carry off Joan of
the Sword Hand. they should have no
difficulty with little Margaret of Court
land"
Joan clasped her hands with pleas
ure and relief. all unconscious that i'm
mediately behind her Margaret had
entered softly and now stood arrested
by the sound of her own name.
"Oh. they will have no trouble. will
they not?" she said in her own heart.
and smiled. isle Rugen? Thank you,
my very dear brother and sister. You
would get rid of me. separate me from
Maurice while he is fighting for your
precious princedoms. What is a coun-
try in comparison with a husband?
would not care a doit which country |
belonged to, SO long as had Maurice
with mel"
A moment or two Conrad and Joan
discussed the details OF the capture,
while more softly than before Mar
garet retired to the door. She would
have slipped out altogether. but that
something happened Just them which
froze her to the spot.
A trumpet blew without-once. twice
and thrice. in short and stirring blasts.
Hardly had the echoes died away when
she heard her brother say, "Adieu, best
beloved! 1t is the signal which tells
me that Prince Ivan is within days
march of Courtland I bid you good
bye, and Tiff we should never meet
again. do not forget that loved you
loved you as none else could love."
He held out his hand Joan stood
rooted to the spot. her lips moving. but
no words coming forth. Then Mar
garet heard hoarse cry break from
her who had contemned love.
Il cannot let you go thus." she cried
81 cannot keep the vow! 1t is too hard
for me! Conrad, am but a weak
woman after ALL"
And in moment the Princess Mar
garet saw Joan the cold Joan of the
Sword Hand. Joan Duchess of Kerns-
berg and Hohenstein in the arms of
her brother.
Whereupon. not being of set purpose
an eavesdropper, Margaret went out
and shut the door softly The lovers
had neither heard her come nor go.
And the wife of Maurice Won Lynar
was smiling very sweetly as sne went.
but In her eyes lurked mischief.
Conrad descended the stair from the
apartments of the Duchess Joan, di-
vided between the certainty that his
lips had tasted the unutterable joy and
the fear lest his soul had sinned the
objectionable sin.
A moment Joan steadied herself by
the window, with her hand to her
breast as If to still the flying pulses
of her heart. She took step forward
that she might look once more upon
him ere he went. But, changing her
purpose in the very act, she turned
about and found herself face to face
with the Princess Margaret, who was