The Elbert County tribune., 1906-05-24

Ahc Hiincess spoke calmly, ana 10 the
ear even little coldly.
The door closed upon the Swedish
maiden. Margaret and Maurice turned
TO each other with one pregnant in
stinct and took hands.
Already" said Margaret family,
going back into the woman they
might have left us alone a little long
er- How shall we meet this? What
shall we do? ! had counted on this
one day"
Margaret" answered the Sparhawk
impulsively. this shall not daunt u.s.
We would have told your brother
Louis one day We will tell him now.
Duchess Joan is safe out of his reach,
kernsberg is reyictualed. the Musco-
vite army returned There is no need
to keep mp the masquerade any longer.
Whatever may come of ii. let us go
TO. your brother. That will end 1t
swiftly, at all events" The Princess
Put away his restraining clasp and
came closer TO him.
No-no." she cried: you must
not You do not know my brother
He is wholly under the influence of
ivan OF Muscovy Louis would slay
you for having cheated him of his
bride-Ivan for having forestalled him
with me-"
But you cannot marry Ivan. That
were an outrage against the laws of
God and Mani"
Marry Ivan." she cried. to the full
as impulsively as her lover; mot
though they set ravens to pick the live
hesh off my bonesi But yet the
thought of torture and death for YOU
that | cannot abide. We must CON
tnue to deceive them. Let me think,
let me Think"
Hastily she barred the door which
led out upon the corridor. Then TAX
ing Maurice's hand once more she led
MIN over to the window. from which
she could see the green ALA cutting
It's way through the city bounds and
presently escaping into the yet green.
er corn lands on its way to the sea.
1T Is for this one days delay that
we must plan. Tonight we will Ger.
tainiy escape. | can trust certain of
those OF my household. | have tried
'hem before. have IL.
Maurice. you must be taken lille
down on this couch away from the
light. There is a rumor of the Black
Death in the city-we must build on
that. They say an Astrakhan trader
is dead of 1t already. For one day we
may stave off with this. 1t is the
poor best we can do. Lie down, will
call Thora. She is staunch and fully
to be trusted"
No
inner door and clapped her hands
sharply.
The fair-haired Swedish maiden
came running to her She had been
waiting on such signal.
"Thora," said her mistress in Quick
whisper 1--WE must put off this mar.
riage. | would sooner die than marry
Ivan. You have that drug you spoke
of-that which gives the appearance
OF sickness unto death without the re.
atty. The Lady Joan must be i'll. very
Ill You understand. we must deceive
even the Princes physicians"
The girl nodded with quick under.
standing, and. turning. she sped away
up the inner stairs to her own sleep
ing chamber. the key of which Gas
was the custom in Courtland) she car
ried in her pocket.
This will also keep you from being
suspected-as in public places Won
would have been," whispered Margaret
to her young husband What Thora
thinks or knows does rot matter.
can trust Thora with my life-nay.
with what is far more, with yours"
A light tap and the girl re-entered.
tall phial in her hand With a swift
look at her mistress to obtain permis
sion. she went to the couch upon
which the Sparhawk had lain down
Then with deft hand she opened the
bottle. and pouring little of the color
less liquid into cup she gave it him
to drink. In few minutes a sickIy
pallor overspread Maurice Won Lynar's
brow. His eyes appeared injected.
the lips paled to grey white, beads
of perspiration stood on the forehead.
and his whole countenance took on the
hue and expression of mortal sick
ness.
Now" said Thora. when she had
finished. will the noble lady deign to
swallow one of these pellicles, and in
ten minutes not a leech in the country
will be able to pronounce that she is
not suffering from a dangerous dis
ease"
You are sure, Thora" said the
Princess Margaret almost fiercely,
laying her hand on the tirewoman's
wrist. that there is no harm in all
this? Remember, on your life be it!'
The placid, xenhaired woman
turned with the little silver box in her
hand.
Danger there is. dear mistress"
she said softly, but not. I think. SO
great danger as we are already in.
But I will prove my honesty"