The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-05-14
JOAN f III SWORD HAND
5000
~ SDrnOCKETT~ 1,uHon 4 ~zso Oa51k,11-Ise
CHAPTER xxIx.-continued.
(Copyrigh 1898. 1900. by S. r Crockett)

CHAPTER Xxix.-continued
Madam" said Werner, with dignity,
"go to Kerns%>-s you must The en-
envy is near TO the city, and your High
nes1 might fall into their hands"
'You have heard what have said!"
Ioun tapped the oaken floor with her
foot.
But, madam, let me beseech
ecu"
Joan turned from her chief captain
impatiently and walked toward the
door of her private apartments. Wer-
ner followed his mistress, with his
hands little outstretched and look
of eager entreaty on his face.
my lady" he said, thirty years
was the fass5tul servant of your
father-teu l have served you. BY
the memory Of those years, il | have
served you faithfully"
my father taught you little, If
after thirty years you have not learn
ed to obey. Go to your post"
Werner Won Orseln drew himself up
and saluted. Then he wheeled about
and clanked out without adding word
more.
For a moment after the door closed
upon the men, Joan and Margaret
stood in silence regarding each other.
Suddenly Margaret ran impulsiyely
to Joan, clasping her about the neck.
Il know" she said, looking up into
her face.
With a great leap the blood few to
Joan's neck and brow, then as slowly
faded away, leaving her paler than be-
fore.
What do you known" she faltered,
and she feared, yet desired to hear.
'That you love Conrad" said Mar
garet, very low. Joan, am so glad
so glad!"
Margaret, am shamed for ever
| It is SIM" whispered Joan, with her
arms about her friend.
Joan, you will yet be happy"
The Duchess shook her head.
at were best for US both that l
should die-that is what I pray for"
MAY heaven avert this thing-you
know not what you say"
And the two women went into the
attiring room with arms still locked
about each others waists. And as
often as their eyes encountered they
fingered little. as if tasting the new
knowledge which they had in common.
Then those of Joan of the Sword Hand
were averted, and she blushed.
It was night in the city of CORTLAND,
and a time of great fear. Ever and
anon from the east, where were the
camps of the opposed forces, there
came a sound, heavy and sonorous,
like distant thunder. Whereat the
frighted wives of the burghers OF
CORTLAND said, 81 wonder what moth
er's son lies a-dying now. Hearken to
the talking of Great Peg, the Mar
gratis cannon!"
At the western or Brandenburg gate
there was yet greater fear. For the
news had spread athwart the city that
a great body of horsemen had paused
in front of it. and were being held in
parley by the guard on duty, till the
Lady Joan, Governor of the city, should
be made aware.
The Governor of the city, reused
from a rare slumber, leaped on heI
horse and went Gathering with an
escort through the unsleeping streets
Looking cut, Joan could see a darb
mass of horsemen, while above them
glinted in the pale starlight forest OF
spearheads.
whence come you, strangers? p
cried Joan.
From Plassenburg we are!" came
back the answer.
'sWho leads you?"
Captains Boris and Jorian, officers
Of the Princes bodyguard"
LET Captains Boris and Jorian ap
proach and deliver their message"
with whom are we in speech p