The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1906-08-11
JOAN 4Hf %Hf:SNQND HAND
S.RROCETT. .4Mzac a. MeR ga
Copyright. 1885. 1900. by S. R. crockettD

euoA opeolelite anu readiness 10 serve
her. Then she gave them their in
structions.
You will conduct me past the city
guards, out through the gates. and
take me towards the camp of the
Prince of Muscovy. There you will
leave me, and shall be met by one
who in like manner will lead me
through the enemy's posts"
And when shall you return, my
Lady Theresa We will wait for you."
Thank you, gentlemen. You need
not wait | shall not return."
Not return" cried Jorian and Boris
together, greatly astonished.
No" said Theresa. very slowly and
quietly, her eyes set on the darkness
Hear ye, Captains of Plassenbrrg. l
will give you my mind. You are trusty
men, and can as | have proved, hold
your own counsel"
Boris and Jorian nodded. There was
no difficulty about that.
Good" they said together as of old.
Listen. then" Theresa went on.
You know. and | know, that unless
quick snccor come the city is doomed.
.
ye make an end amid the din of battle.
or escape for this time, is matter
wherewith We do not trouble your
minds till the time comes But for me,
be 1t known to YOU that l am the wild
ow of Henry the Lion of kernsberg.
My son Maurice is the true heir to the
Dukedom. Yet, being bound by an oath
sworn to the man who made me his
wife. have never claimed the throne
for him. But now Joan his sister
knows, and out of her great heart she
swears that she will give up the
Duchy to him II, therefore, the city is
taken. the Muscovite will slay my son.
slay him by their hellish tortures. as
they have sworn to do for the despite
he put upon Prince Ivan. And his wife,
the Princess Margaret, will die OF grief
when they carry her to Moscow to
make bride of a widow. Joan will be
prisoner, Conrad either dead or
priest, and kernsberg, the heritage of
Henry the Lion, f1ef OF the Gar.
There Is no help in any. Your Prince
would succor. but it takes time to raise
the country. and long ere he can cross
worked his will in Courtland. Now l
see way-a woman's way. And II
fall in the doing of 1t, well-I but go
to meet him for the sake of whose
children freely give my life. In this
bear me witness"
Madam" said Boris, gravely. I'VE
are but plain soldiers. We pretend not
to understand the great matters of
state of which you speak. But rest as
sured that we will serve you with our
lives, bear true witness, and in al!
things obey your word implicitly"
Without difficulty they passed
through the streets and warded gates.
They plunged into the darkness of the
outer night. At first in the swirl OF
the storm the three could see nothing:
but gradually the watchfires of the
Muscovite came ont thick-sown like
stars on the rising grounds on both
sides Of the Ala. Presently they began
to descend into the valley, the iron
shod feet of the men clinking upon the
stones. Theresa walked silently,
stepped in thought, laying hand on
arm or shoulder as she had occasion.
Suddenly tall Boris stopped dead and
with sweep of his arm halted the
others.
"There," he whispered, pointing up
ward
And against the glow thrown from
behind ridge they could see a pair of
Cossacks riding to and fro ceaselessly,
dark against the ruddy sky.
Captains Boris and Jorian,' Their
esa was speaking with quietness. rails
ing her voice just enough to make her,
self heard over the roar of the wind
overhead, for the nook in which they
presently found themselves was shell
tered, Il bid you adieu-it may be
farewell. You have done nobly and
like two valiant captains who were fit
to war with Henry the. Lion. thank
you. You will bear me faithful wit
ness in the things Of which | have spo-
ken to you. Take this ring from me,
not in recompense, but in memory. 1t
is a bauble worth any lady's accept
ance. And you this dagger" She
took two from within her mantle, and
gave one to Jorian. 1T is GOOD steel
and will not fail you. The fellow of
it l will keep"
as you have commanded, SO will we
do"
And as they had been bidden they
withdrew into clump Of willow and
alder.
"Yonder woman is braver than you
or I, Jorian," said Boris, as crouching
they watched her climb the ridge.
Which Of us would do as much for
any on the eartl? ?"
after all. it is for her son. II you
had children, who can say"
Whether | may have children or no
concerns you not" returned Boris,