The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-01-29

| me terrlDle cry WHICH ndu IuhB III
her ears had been his. At sight Of
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 few open
and Werner Won Orseln burst in, also
sword in hand.
What is the meaning of this" he
shouted. who has dared to harm
my lady?"
60 down and bring 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 to 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-
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 mel"
The color came slowly back to the
womans pale face, and after 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 MANI"
She looked at Won Orseln as she
spoke.
81 have no secrets in my life," said
Joan, there is nothing that | would
hide from him. Save one thingi" She
added the last words in her heart.
There was an interval of silence
in the room, filed up by the hoarse,
persistent booming of the storm with
out and the shuddering shocks of the
wind on the lonely house. Then the
! 4
voice.
"Since it is your right to know my
name, / 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.
"It is 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.
1t is 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 well practiced hand, and roll
of parchment fell upon the bed. With
strange smile she gave it to Joan,
beckoning her with an upward nod to
approach.
Joan took the cracking parchment.
1t had three seals attached to 1t 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 Principalities of Kernsberg and
Marienfeld To which we subscribe
our names as conformity 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. Ii
was one year after her own birth, and
therefore the like period after the
death of her mother, the openly &C.
knowldged Duchess of Hohenstein.
! Joan folded this parchment and
!, handed it 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
thoroughly.
81, who speak to you, am Theresa
I Won ynnr Your father cow mo 6,e,