The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1906-12-25

eyes on the ground, for she meant to
look at no one and behold nothing till
she should see-that which she longed
to look upon.
Suddenly she was conscious that
they had stopped in the middle of a
vast silence. The candles upon the
great altar threw down a golden
lustre, Joan saw the irregular shin
ing of them on her white bridal dress,
and wondered that it should be so
bright.
my brother, the Prince OF Court
land!" said the voice of the Princess
Margaret.
Slowly Joan raised her eyes-pride
and happiness at war with a kind of
glorious shame upon her face.
But that one look altered all things.
She stood fixed, aghast, turned to
stone as she gazed. She could
neither speak nor think. That which
she saw almost struck her dead with
horror.
The man whom his sister introduced
as the Prince of CORTLAND was not
the knight of the tournament. He was
not the young prince Of the summer
palace. He was a man much older,
more meager of body, gr~ey-headed,
with an odd sidelong expression in his
eyes. His shoulders were bent and
he carried himself like a man prema-
turely old.
And there, behind the altar railing,
clad in the scarlet of a prince Of the
church, and wearing the mitre of a
bishop, stood the husband of her
hearts deep thoughts, the man who
had never been out of her mind all
these weary months. He held a
service book in his hand, and stood
ready to marry Joan of Hohenstein to
another.
care you the Prince of Courtland?"
she asked; and at the sound of her
voice, unwontedly clear in the great
church, even the organ appeared to
still itself. All listened %intently,
though only a few heard the converse
ton.
81 have that honor" bowed the man
with the bent shoulders.
"Then, as God lives, I will never
marry you!" cried Joan, all her soul in
the disgust of her voice.
BE not disdainful, my lady," said
the bridegroom mildly; 81 will be your
humble slave. You shall have a
palace and an establishment of your
own, an it like you. The marriage
was your fathers desire. and hath the
sanction Of the emperor. 1t is as
necessary for your state as for mine
Then, while the people waited in
kind of palpitating uncertainty, the
Princess Margaret whispered to the
bride, who stood with a face as asher
pale as her white dress.
WELL" she said finally, 81 vii
marry this man, since it is my fate
Let the ceremony proceed"
Il thank you, gracious lady," sait
the prince, taking her hand and lead
ing his bride to the altar. "You viii
never regret it."
) mo, but you will" muttered hii
groomsman, Prince Ivan of Muscovy
; The full rich tones of the prime,
bishop rose and fell through tn,
crowded Minister as Joan of Hohen
! stein was married to his eide
! brother, and with the closing word
of the episcopal benediction an aw,
fell upon the multitude. They fel
> that they were in the presence 0
, great unknown forces, the action an,
interaction of which might lead nj
: man knew whittier.
! At the close of the service, Joan
o Princess of CORTLAND, leane,
over and whispered a word to he
; captain, Maurice Won Lynar, an actiol
noticed by few. The young mai
started and gazed into her face; but
Immediately commanding his emotion
he nodded and disappeared by a sid,
door.
The great organ swelled out. Th'
marriage procession was reformed
The prince bishop had retired to hi
sacristy to change his robes. The ney
4 princess of CORTLAND came down tn.
4 aisle on the arm of her husband.
In the center of the Minister Place
! the 400 lances of the K%ernsberg es
] cort had formed up, a serried mass o
beautiful well-groomed horses, sta
wart men, and shining spears. fror
III SaCn Oh WHICH the ueHuOu Ol incl
mistress futtered in the light wine
On the steps of the Minister, afte
they had descended more than hal
way, the new Princess of Courtlan
turned upon her lord. Her han
slipped from his arm, which hung
moment crooked and empty before
dropped to his side. His mouth wa
a little open with surprise.
Nov, my lord" SAID the Princes
Joan, loud and clear. 81 have marie
." you. The bond of heritage-brothe
k hood is fulfilled. l have obeyed m
l. father to the letter. l have obeyed tn
k emperor. have lone all. Now be
G known to you and to all men that
If will neither live with you nor yet i
e your city. I am your wife in nam'
You shall never be my husband j
r aught else. I bid you farewell, Prime
v of CORTLAND. Joan of Hohenstein ma
e marry where she is hidden, but sh
It loves where she viii"
= The horse upon which she had com
- 80 tbo NTipetaf stood v~uofffnu Tbnr