The Citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1903-1912, 1907-02-02
JOAN & 6n SWORD HAND
CHAPTER XXI.
The Dropping Of a Cloak.

Vne dropping on Cioak.
And so, with the mounted guard Of
his own Cossacks before him and be-
hind, Prince Ivan carried his bride to
church through the streets of her ma
tive city.
The great doors of the cathedral had
been thrown wide open and the leath-
ern curtain withdrawn. The altar
candles and the lamps a-swing In the
choir winked. no brighter than yellow
willow leaves seen through an autum.
nal fog. But as the cortege dismount-
ed the organ began to roll, and the
people within rose with hush like
that which follows the opening OF q
window ut night above the ALA.
The sonorous diapason Of the great
instrument disgorged itself through
the doorway in wave after wave of
sound. The Princess Margaret found
herself again on her feet. upheld on
either side by brother and lover. She
was at first somewhat dazed with the
rush ~ accumulate disasters. Slowly
her mind came back.
Maurice-where was Maurice? She
turned about. The small, glittering
eyes Of Prince Ivan, black as sloes.
were looking into hers. She remem-
bered now. II was her own wedding.
These two, her brother and her enemy.
were carrying out their threat. They
had brought her to the cathedral to
wed her, against her will. to the man
she hated. But they could. not. She
would tell them. Already she was n
but then. II she told them that,
they would ride back and kill him.
Better that she should perjure herself,
condemn herself to hell. than that.
Better anything than that. But what
was she to do? Was ever poor girl
30 driven?
Margaret, you must come with us
Into the cathedral" II was the voice
OF her brother. ut Is necessary that
the Prince should wed you now. II
has too long been promised, and now
he can delay no longer. Besides, the
Black Death is in the city, and this is
the only hope to escape. Comet"
II was on the tip Of Margarets
tongue to cry out with wild words
even as she had done at the door OF
the river parlor. But the thought OF
Maurice, OF the torture and the death
silenced her. She lifted her eyes. and
there, at the top Of the steps, were
the dignitaries Of the cathedral wait
ing to lead the solemn procession.
II will got" she said.
She laid her hand on her brothers
arm and began the ascent Of the Ions
flight OF stairs. But even as she die
so. behind her there broke a wave Of
sound-the crying OF many people
confused and multitudinous. like the
warning which runs along a crowded
thoroughfare when a wild charger
escaped from bonds threshes alonf
with frantic flying harness. And 10!
at the foot OF the steps. clad from head
&C foot In n cloak. the sick Princess
loan, she whom the Black Death hat
steed, and drawing sword followed
nercely up the stairway after tn,
marriage procession. The Cossacks o.
he Myscovite guard looked at eaci
,ther. not knowing whether to stant
n her way or no.
Hold, there!" the pursuer shouted
as she set foot on the lowest step.
Lord! Surely that Is no woman
voice!" whispered the people who
stood nearest. and their lower Jaw,
iropped a little further In sheer won
ierment.
Up the wide steps OF the Dom flev
he tall woman In the flowing cloak
Her face was pallid as death. but he
eyes we're brilliant and her lips red
At the sight of the naked swor,
orince Ivan plucked the blade from