The silver messenger., 1907-01-01
JOAN 4Hs 8R SWORD HAND
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.RCROCkETT. .Audbor o/ RaotacEcc
(copyright 1898. 1900 BY s. r. crochett)
CHAPTER xI.-continued.

CHAPTER <l.-Continued.
Suddenly there passed a wave over
he people who crowded the spacious
Dom Platz of Courtland The many
aeaded, parti-colored throng of wom-
ems tall colts, gay futtering ribands,
mems velvet caps, gallants white
feathers that shifted like the permuta-
tions of a kaleidoscope, all at once
fixed itself into a sea of white faces,
from which presently arose a forest
of arms, fiourishing kerchiefs and
tossing caps. To this succeeded a
deep mouth-roar of burgherish vel
come such as the reigning Prince had
never heard raised in his own honor.
"Conrad-Prince Conrad! God bless
our Prince-Cardlnal!
The legitimate ruler of Courtland,
standing where Joan had left him,
with his slim-waisted Muscovite men
tor behind him, half turned to look.
And there on the highest place stood
his brother in the scarlet OF his new
dignity as it had come from the Pope
himself, his red biretta held in his
hand, and his fair and noble head
erect as he looked over the folk to
where on the slope above the city
gates he could still see the sun CLINT
and sparkle on the cuirasses and lance
heads Of the four hundred riders of
Kernsberg.
But even as the Prince of Courtland
looked back at his brother, the whis-
ger of the tempter smote the latter's
ear.
Had Prince Conrad been in your
place and you behind the altar rails,
think you that the Duchess Joan
would have fled so cavalierly?"
BY this time the young cardinal had
descended till he stood on the other
side of the Prince from Ivan of Mus
covy.
"You take horse to follow your
bride?" he queried, smiling. "Is it a
fashion of Kernsberg brides thus to
steal away?"
Louis of Courtland broke out in a
sudden-overboiling fury.
This is your doing!" he cried; Il
know it well. From her first coming
my bride had set herself to scorn me.
My sister knew it. You knew it. You
smile as at jest. You would have
alI-the love of my wife, the rule of
my folk, as well as the acclaim of
these city swine. Listen-'The good
Prince Conrad! God save the noble
Prince!' 1t is worth living for favor
such as this"
Brother of NINE" said the young
man gently, "as you know well, l new
er set eyes upon the noble Lady Joan
before. Never spoke word with her,
held no communication by word or
pen"
you were constantly with the old
fox Dessauer, the envoy of Plassen-
burg-who came from Kernsberg,
bringing with him that slim secretary.
BY my faith, now, when I think of 1t,
Prince Ivan told me last night he was
as like this madcap girl as pea to pea
some fiy-blown b-stard brother,
doubtless!"
Conrad shook his head. His brother
had doubtless gono nomentarily dis
tract with his troubles.
NAY, deny it not! And smile not,
either-lest spoil the symmetry of
that face for your mummery and pro-
cessions. Aye, if have to underlie
ten years interdict for it from your
friend the most Holy Pope of Rome!"
DO not forget there is another
church in my country, which will lay
no interdict upon you, Prince Louis"
laughed Ivan of Muscovy. "But to
horse-we lose time!"
Brother" said the Cardinal, laying
his hand on his brothers arm, con my
word as knight-as a Prince of the
church, knew nothing of the mat
ter. cannot even guess what has
led you thus to accuse mel"
The Princess Margaret came at
that moment out of the cathedral and