Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-03-16


and instead OF kissing his bishops
ring. as In strict etiquette she ought To
have done. she cried out. Conrad. do
you know what that glorious wench
has done! Dared her husbands au-
thority at the church door. ieaped into
the saddle. whistled up her men. cried
To all these Courtland .ailants. Catch
me who can!' and 10. at this moment
she Is riding straight for Kcrnsbcrg.
and now our Louis must catch her. A
glorious wedding! would had been
by her side"
SO. then. madam. you knew Of
thisT" said her elder brother. glover
ins upon her from beneath his heavy
brows.
Nay irIlicd tho gay Princess. -
only wish I had. Then !. too. would
have been riding with thcm-such n
Jest ms never was. II would have been.
Goodbye. my forsakcn brother! Joy
he with you on this your bridal jour.
rcy. Take Prince Ivan with you. and
Conrad and will keep the kingdom
against your return with your prize
scn'icd ON your wrist
So. smiling and kissing her hand.
tn. Princess Margaret waved her
brother and Prime. Ivan on. The
Mnscnvitc turned often In his saddle
ms II to carry with him the picture she
made OF saucy conntcnancc and dainty
hsurc as she stood looking up Into
the face OF the Cardinal Prince Con.
rad.
What In heavens name Is the
meaning OF nil IhiS--i do rot under.
stand In the icast?" he was saying.
Haste you and unrobc. brother
Con-" she said: this grandeur OF
yours dauntE me. Then. In the sum.
mcr parlor. I will tell you all!'
Il canno, go back to CORTLAND dis.
honorcd." said Prince Louis To ivan OF
MuAcoyy. as they stood on the green
bank looking down on the rushing
river. broad and brown. which had So
lately been the fords OF ALA. The
river had risen almost as II seemed
upon the very heels Of the four hun.
drcd hoTscmcn Of kcrHEbcTg. and the
irunciad knights and mcn.ai.arms who
followed the Prince Of CORTLAND
could not face the ycas;y swirl OF the
food.
Prince ivan stood n moment silent.
Then his eyes glanced over hts com.
pan!on with certain severe and
amused curiosity. II there was any.
thing so contcmptuous ms that eye.
blink In the open scorn of all the
burghcrs of CORTLAND. Prince Louis
was to be excused for any hesitation
In facing his subjects.
The matter OF Prince wasp's mcdi.
iaiion ran somewhat thuswisc: Thou
man. fashioned from n scullion's nail.
pairing. and cooked upon horse. what
can I make OF thee? Thou. to have a
country. crown. wife! GudgcOn
eats sticklcback. Jackpikc eats gud.
gcon and grows fat. till at the last the
sturgeon In his armour eats him.
will fattcn this jack. ! will feed him
like the gudgeons OF Kernsbcrg and
Hohcnstcin. baitcd with a dainty fly
indeed. black.tipped. with sleeves gay
as cranes wings. and answering to
the name OF my lady Joan But wait
Il must he wary. and have n care
lest I shadow his water"
So saying within his heart. Prince
Wasp became exceedingly thoughtful
and of a demure countenance.
My lord" he said. this days
work will rot go well down In Court.
land. I fear met"
Prince Louis started quickly as the
Wasp's sting touched him.
And. pray, Prince Ivan" he said.
what could have done that I have
left urdone? Speak plainly. since you
are so prodigal of smiles suppressed.
so witty with covert words and shoul.
der tappings!"
My Louis" said Prince Wasp. lay.
ing his hand upon the arm of his com.
panion with an affectation of tender
ness. 81 nout you not-l mock you
not And II I speak harshly. It Is only
that love not TO see you in yCur turn
tlouted. mocked. scorned, mad, light
OF before your own people.
Ever since | came first TO Court
land with the not dishonorable hope
of carrying back to my father n prin.
cess of your house. none have been so
amiable together as you and !. We
have been even as David and iona
than
The Prince Louis put out hand.
which apparently Ivan did not see. for
he continued without taking It.
"Yet what have l gained either Of
solid good or even OF the lighter but
not less agreeable matter of my lady's
favor? So far as your sister is con
cerned. have wasted my time. If |
consider n union of our peoples, al
ready one in heart. your brother
works against us both; the Princess
Marraret desrises me. Prince Conrad
thwaris u.s."
81 think not So" answered Prince
I ouis--"1 cannot think so Of my broth
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