The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1906-04-14

him Joan unclasped 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 knelt beside the PROSTATE
| body of his mistress.
AT the same moment there came
the sound of quick footsteps running
up the stairway. The door flew open
and Werner Won Orseln burst in, also
swori in hand
What is the meaning of this" he
shouted. Who has dared to harm
my ladye"
GO down and bring a cup of wine'"
| commanded Joan as soon as he ap-
peared, And Werner Won Orseln de-
parted without a word to do her bid
ding
Meanwhile the Wordless Man had
raised his mistress up from the
| ground. Garry your mistress to that
couch" said the young duchess, point
ing 10 the tumbled bed from which a
few minutes before she had SO hastily
| launched herself
Whilst he was thus engaged Wer
| ner came in quickly with silver cup
| in his hand.
Joan took it instantly and going for
| ward she put it to the lips of the wom-
I an on the bed
Putting out her hands the woman
| took the cup and drank it slowly,
pausing between the draughts to draw
long breaths.
81 must have strength she said.
II have much to say. Then, Joan of
Hohenstein, thou shalt judge between
| thee and me-"
The color came slowly back to the
womans pale face. and, after a little,
| she raised herself on the pillows.
Joan stood motionless and uncompro-
| missing by the great iron dogs of the
| chimney.
"You are waiting for me to speak,
and | will speak. You have a double
right TO know all. Shall it be told to
| yourself alone, or in the presence of
| this man."
She looked at Won Orseln as she
| spoke
Il have no secrets in my life,' said
| Joan there is nothing that | would
| hide from him. Save one thing," 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 a low, distinct
voice
Since 1t is your right to know nv
name, l am Theresa Won Lynar-who
| have also 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
1T is a 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.
J 1t is a thing well known in the
/ Duchy!"
The woman did not answer directly
Max Ulrich bring the silver cas-
| ket," she said. taking from her neck
| 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 a spring
with we'll practiced hand, and a roll
of parchment fell upon the bed. With
| ha /,
| becllonng her with an upward nod to
! approach
I Joan took the cracking parchment
| II had three seals attached to it and
! the first part was in her fathers hand
writing.
Il 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 Principaities of kernsberg and
| Marienfeld. To which we subscribe
our names as coniointly agreeing
: thereto in the presence of His High
| Eminence the Cardinal Adrian, Arch
| bishop Of Cologne and Elector of the
Holy Roman Empire"
After her first shock of surprise was
over Joan noted carefully the date. 1t
| was one year after her own birth, and
therefore the like period after the
death of her mother, the openly ac-
knowldged Duchess of Hohenstein.
Joan folded this parchment and
handed 1t back. Then she stood silent
waiting for an explanation.
| The woman took up her parable
| calmly, like one who has long compre-
| hended that such crisis must one
day arrive. and who knows her part