The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1906-12-01

II am the mother of Maurice Won
Iynar, and this is the Isle Rugen!"
she said simply, rs If the answer wers
nh.sufficient.
The woman In the crimson cloak
waited for Joan to be assisted from
the boat, and then. without word of
greeting. led the way up little sand.
cd path to gate which opened in a
high stone wall. Through this she
admitted her guests. whereupon they
found themselves in an enclosure
with towers and battements rising
dimly all round
Then came long, grey building,
another door low and creaking heav-
lily on unaccustomed hinges, sudden
burst of light and 10! the wanderers
found themselves within a lighted
hall. wherein were many stands of
arms and armor, mingled with skins
of wild animals, wide-spreadng. many.
tined antlers, and other records of
the chase.
The woman who had been their
guide now set down her lantern and
allowed the hood of her cloak to slide
from her head. Werner and his two
male companions, the captains of Plas.
senburg, fell back a little at the appa-
rition. They had expected to see
some nag or crone, fit companion of
their wordless guide.
Instead, woman stood before them,
not girlish certainly, nor yet in the
first bloom of her youth, but glorious
even among fair women by reason of
the ripeness Of her beauty.
The mother of that young paladin,
their Sparhawk? II seemed impossi.
BILE. This woman was too youthful,
too fair, too bountiful in her gracious
beauty to be the mother of such a
tense young yew-bow as Maurice Won
Lynar.
MY lady joan" she said. in the
same thrilling voice. my son has sent
me word that till a certain great dan.
ger is overpast you are to abide with
me here on the Isle Rugen. live
alone, save for this one man. dumb
Max Ulrich, long since cruelty manned
at the hands of his enemies. can
offer you no suite of attendants be-
yond those you bring with you. Our
safety depends on the secrecy of our
abode. as for many years my own life
has done. | ask you, therefore, to re-
spect our privacy. as also to impose
the same upon your soldiers"
The Duchess Joan bowed slightly.
"As you doubtless know, | have not
come hither of my own free will, :"
she answered haughtily: but | thank
you, madam, for your hospitality.
Rest assured that the secrecy of your
dwelling shall not be endangered by
me-"
Then with large gesture the elder
indicated the way up the broad stair.
case. and throwing her own cloak
completely off she caught It across
her arm as 1t dropped and so fol.
| lowed Joan out of sight.
|
instinct was so strong that, as soon
as the women had withdrawn them.
selves upstairs, the three captains
started towards the door to make the
round OF the defences. The Wordless
Man accompanied them unasked. The
square enclosure in which they found
themselves seemed liker an old fortified
farmhouse of grange than a regular
castle. though the walls were thick
as those of any fortress, being loop
holed for musketry, and Tin those
days of bombards few and heavy) can.
able OF standing n siege In good ear.
nest against small army.
The three captains returned through
the hall into long dining room vault.
ed above with beams of solid oak.
| Curtains were drawn close all about
the walls. In the recesses were many
stands of arms of good and recent
construction, and opening a cupboard
with the freedom of man at arms,
Boris saw ramrods, powder and shot
arranged in order, as neatly as though
he had done II himself, than which
no better could be said.
In little while the sound of foot,
steps descending the nearer staircase
was heard. The Wordless Man moved
to the door and held il open, as Joan
came in with a proud, high look on
her face Won Lynar's mother en-,
tered Immediately after her guest
and it needed nothing more subtle
than Werner Won Orseln's masculine
acumen to discern that no word had
been spoken between them while they
were alone.
With queenly gesture the hostess mo-
toned her guest to the place OF honor
and indicating that the three soldiers
were to take their places at the Other
side of the table. Werner Won Orselr
moved automatically to obey, but
Jorian and Boris were already at the
sideboard, busting platters and max
ing them ready to serve the meal.
Il thank YOU madam" said Jorian
Were we here as ENJOYS of our mas
ter, Prince Hugo of Plassenburg, VIC
would gladly and proudly sit at meat
with you. But we are volunteers, ant
have all our lives been men at arms
We will therefore assist this 5000
gentleman to serve. an it please yor
4 IN narpnit