Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1907-04-05


and Jorian at the door Of the market
hospital.
Il thank you for your fidelity" she
said quickly. Il have great need of
you. ! put a great secret in your
hands. | could not ask one of the fol-
lowers of Prince Conrad, nor yet sol
der of the Duchess Joan, lest when
| that is done which shall be done to
night, the Prince or the Duchess
should be held blameworthy, having
most to gain or lose. But you are of
Plassenburg and will bear NE wit
ness."
/ Boris and Jorian silently signifed
their obedience and readiness to serve
her. Then she gave them their in
structions.
you will conduct me past the city
guards, out through the gates. and
take me towards the camp of the
Prince of Muscoyy. There you will
leave me, and l shall be met by one
who in like manner will lead me
through the enemys posts"
"And when shall you return, my
Lady Theresa? We will wait for youl"
THANK you, gentlemen. You need
not wait. | shall not returnl"
Not return?" cried Jorian and Boris
together, greatly astonished
NO." said Theresa, very slowly and
quietly, her eyes set on the darkness.
Hear ye, Captains of Plassenburg. l
will give you my mind. You are trusty
men, and can, as l have proved, hold
your own COUNSEL"
Boris and Jorian nodded. There was
no difficulty about that.
Good" they said together as of old
Listen, then" Theresa went on.
''You know, and l know, that unless
quick succor come, the city is doomed.
You are men and soldiers, and whether
We make an end amid the din of battle,
or escape for this time, is matter
wherewith ye. do not trouble your
minds till the time comes. But for me,
be it known to you that am the wild
ow of Henry the Lion of Kernsberg.
My son Maurice is the true heir to the
Dukedom. Yet, being bound by an oath
sworn to the man who made me his
wife, have never claimed the throne
for him. But now Joan his sister
knows, and out of her great heart she
swears that she will give up the
Duchy to him. If, therefore, the city is
taken, the Muscovite will Stay my son,
STAY him by their hellish fortunes. as
they have sworn to do for the despite
ne put upon Prince Ivan And his wife.
the Princess Margaret, will die of grief
when they carry her to Moscow to
make a bride of widow. Joan will be
a prisoner, Conrad either dead or a
priest, and Kernsberg, the heritage of |
Henry the Lion, fief of the Gar.
There is no help in any. Your Prince |
would succor, but it takes time to raise |
the country. and long ere he can cross
the frontier the Russian will have !
worked his will in CORTLAND. Now l |
see a way-a woman's way. And If I /
fall in the doing of it, WE'LL but go |
to meet him for the sake of whose
children freely give my life. In this
bear me witness"
Madam said Boris, gravely, I'VE
are but plain soldiers. We pretend not
to understand the great matters of
state of which you speak. But rest as
sured that we will serve you with our
lives, bear true witness. and in all
things obey your word implicitly"
Without difficulty they passed
through the streets and warded gates.
They plunged into the darkness of the
outer night. At first in the swirl of
the storm the three could see nothing;
but gradually the watchfres of the
came out thick-sown like
stars on the rising grounds on both
sides of the ALA. Presently they began
10 descend into the valley, the iron
shod feet of the men clinking upon the
stones. Theresa walked silently.
stepped in thought, laying hand on
arm or shoulder as she had occasion.
Suddenly tall Boris stopped dead and
With sweep of his arm halted the
)thers.
"There," he whispered, pointing up
ward.
And against the glow thrown from
,ehind a ridge they could see pair of
Jossacks riding to and fro ceaselessly,
lark against the rudy sky.
Captains Boris and Jorian." Their
,sa was speaking with quietness, rails
ng her voice just enough to make her
'elf heard over the roar Of the wind
overhead, for the nook In which they
presently found themselves was shell
cred, Il bid you adieu-it may be
arewell. You have done nobly and
ike two valiant captains who we're fit :
O war with Henry the Lion. | thank :
-ou. You will bear me faithful wit ]
less in the things of which have spo- {
ZEN to you. Take this ring from me.
ot in recompense but in memory. 1t