Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-04-13

srasped the dagger under her pillow.
Her left shooting upward. closed on
tho arm which held the threatening
steel. Almost without rising from her
bed she projected herself upon her
enemy. and she felt her fingers sink
deep In the soft curves OF woman's
throat.
Then a shrek. long and terrible.
Inhuman and threatening. rang
through the house. As Joan oycrborc
her asEallant upon the floor. tn. door
opened. and glnncIns upward she saw
the wordiesS Man stand on the
threshold. a candle in one hand and
Il naked sword In the other.
The terrible cry which had rung In
her ears had been his. Al sight OF
him Joan unciaspcd her fingers from
the throat OF the woman who had
been her hostess and rose slowly TO
her feet. The old man rushed for.
ward and kncli beside the PROSTATE
body of his mistress.
At the famc moment there came
the sound OF quick footsteps running
up the stairway. The door few open
aud Werner won Orscln burst In. also
sword In hand.
What Is the meaning Of this" he
shouted. Who has dared to harm
my LADY,"
Go down and bring cup Of wInc!"
commanded Joan ms soon as he mp.
pcarcd. And Werner Won Orscln de-
parted without word to do her bid.
ding.
Meanwhile the wordlcsS Man had
raised his mistress up from the
ground. Garry your mistress TO that
couch." said the young duchess, point
Ing to the tumblcd bed from which u
few minutes before she had so hastily
launched herself.
Whilst he was thus engaged wcr-
ncr came In quickly with n silver cup
In his hand.
Joan took II Instantly and going for.
ward she put II to the lips OF the won.
an on the bed.
Putting out her hands the woman
took the cup and drank 1t slowly.
pausing between the drauEhts to draw
long breaths.
Il must have strength" she said.
Il have much TO say. Then. Joan of
Hohcnsto!n. thou shalt Judge between
thee and mel"
The color came slowly back to the
woman's pale face. and. after n little.
she raised herself on the pillows.
Joan stood motionlcss and uncompro-
missing by the great iron dogs of the
chimney.
You are waiting for me to speak.
and ! will speak. You have n double
right to know all. Shall It be told to
yourself alone, or in the presence OF
this mani"
She looked ut Won orseln as she
spoke.
II have no secrets In my life." said
Joan. there is nothing that | would
hide from him. Save one. thirg!" She
added the last words In her heart.
There was an interval of silence
in the room. filled up by the hoarse
persistent booming of the storm with
out and the shuddering shocks of the
wind on the lonely house. Then the
woman spoke again in n low. distinct
voice.
Since It Is your right TO know my
name, I am Theresa Won Lynar-who
have also a right to call myself of
Hohenstein-and your dead fathers
widow"
In an instant the reserve of Joan's
sternly equal mind was broken up.
She dropped her sword Gathering on
the floor and started angrily toward
the bed.
at is lie most foul" she cried,
my father lived unwed for many
years-nay. ever since my mothers
death. who died in giving me life. he
never SO much as looked on woman.
1t is thing we'll known In the
Duchy!"
The woman did not answer directly.
MAX Ulrich, bring the silver cas-
ket." she said. taking from her neck
n little silver key.
The Wordless Man. seeing her
action. came forward and took the key.
He went out of the room. and after
an interval which seemed interminable
he returned with a peculiarly shaped
casket. The woman touched spring
with well practiced hand, and roll
of parchment fell upon the bed. with
a strange smile she gave it to Joan,
beckonng her with an upward nod to
approach.
Joan took the cracking parchment.
It had three seals attached to It and
the first part was in her fathers hand
writing.
81 declare by these presents that
have married. according to the GUS
toms of Hohenstein and the laws of
the empire, Theresa Won Lynar |
daughter of the Count Won Lynar OF
Jutland. But this marriage shall not. |
by any of its occasions or consequents
affect the succession of my daughter
Joanna to the Duchy of Hohenstein
and the Principalities of Kernsberg and