The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1906-11-14
JOAN 4 3R SWORD HAND
-
b. S.RCROCKETT.< 4u1Hor al ZSeRsNdMr;co
CHAPTER xl.-continued.

CHAPTER Nl.-Continued.
Suddenly there passed a wave over
he people who crowded the spacious
pom platz Of CORTLAND The many
headed, parti-colored throng of wom-
ems tall colts. gay futtering ribands,
mems velvet caps, gallants' white
feathers that shifted Ike the permuta-
lions OF a kaleidoscope. all at once
Fixed Itself into sea Of white faces,
from which presently arose forest
OF arms, nourishing kerchiefs and
tossing caps. To this succeeded
deep mouthroar OF burgherish vel
come such as the relgnins Prince had
never heard raised in his own honor.
Conrad Prince Conrad! God bless
our Prince-Cardinal!"
The legitimate ruler Of CORTLAND,
standing where Joan had left him,
with his sllm-waisted Muscovite men
tor behind him, half turned to look.
And there on the highest place stood
his brother in the scarlet OF his new
dignity as II had come from the Pope
himself. his red biretta held in his
hand and his fair and noble head
erect as he looked over the folk to
where on the slope above the city
gates he could still see the sun CLINT
and sparkle on the cuirasses and lance
heads Of the four hundred riders Of
Hernsberg.
But even as the Prince OF CORTLAND
looked back at his brother, the whis-
per OF the tempter smote the latter's
I ear.
Had Prince Conrad been in your
place and you behind the altar rails,
think you that the Duchess Joan
would have fed so cavalierly?"
BY this time the young cardinal had
descended till he stood on the other
side OF the Prince from Ivan OF Mus
coyy.
you take horse to follow your
brlde?" he queried, smiling. "Is 1t a
| fashion OF Kernsberg brides thus to
steal away?"
Louis OF CORTLAND broke out in
sudden-overboiling fury.
"This IS your doing!" he cried; Il
know It well. From her first coming
imy bride had set herself to scorn me.
My sister knew IT, You knew Il. You
| smile as at a Jest. You would have
all--the love Of my wife. the rule Of
my folk. as well as the acclaim OF
these city swine. Listen-'The good
| Prince Conradl God save the noble
Princel It is worth living for favor
such as this"
Brother Of mine" said the young
man gently. "as you know well, new
err set eyes upon the noble Lady Joan
before. Never spoke word with her,
held no communication by word or
PEN
you were constantly with the old
'1ox Dessauer the envoy OF Plassen-
burg-who came from Kernsberg,
bringing with him that slim secretary.
BY my faith. now. when I think OF II,
| Prince Ivan told me last night he was
as like this madoap girl as pea to pea
some hy-blown b stard brother
| doubtlessl"
Conrad shook his head His brother
had doubtless CONS II omentarily dis.
tract with his troubles
"Nay, deny Il not! And smile not
either-lest | spoil the symmetry OF
that face for your mummery and pro
eessions. Aye. II have to underlie
ten years interdict for 1t from your
friend the most Holy Pope OF Rome!'
do not forget there is another
:hurch in my country, which will lay
no interdlct upon you, Prince Louis,
laughed Ivan OF Muscovy. But tC
1orse-we lose time!"
Brother" said the Cardinal, layinl
his hand on his brothers arm, ION my
word as knight-as a Prince OF the
church, knew nothing of the mat
ter. I cannot even guess what hal
led you thus TO accuse met"
The Princess Margaret came a
that moment out Of the cathedral ant