The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-04-09
CHAPTER XIV.
The Loves of Priest and Wife

eHAh5o A1A COil4S W pass we muSL
return to the Isle Rugen and to the
lonely grange on the spit of sand
which separates the Baltic from the
waters of the Freshwater Half.
Many things have happened there
since Conrad of CORTLAND, Cardinal
and Archbishop, had awaked to find
by his bedside the sleeping girl who
was his brothers wife, Storms had
oyerpassed and battles had been won
ere these two came riding into Court
land, in time to prevent the dread con-
summation Of the Ukraine Cross and
to baulk for the time the vengeance
Of Prince Wasp,
On Isle Rugen. where the pines
grew dense and green, gripping and
settling the thin, sandy soil with
their prehensile roots, Joan and Com
rad found themselves much alone.
Happy Isle Rugen!" said Joan,
drawing breath like sigh. ''Why
were we born to princedom. Conrad,
you and II"
II at least was not" answered her
companion. Dumb Max's jerkin of
blue fits me better than any robe
royal"
Conrad" said Joan, suddenly
standing erect and looking at the
young man, ''if were to tell you that
l have resolved never to return to
Kernsberg, but to remain here on
Isle Rugen, what would you say?"
81 should ask to be your companion
or, if not. your bailiffi" said the
prince-bishop promptly.
THAT would be to forget your holy
object"
A certain gentle sadness passed over
the features of the young man.
81 leave many things undone for the
sake of mine Office" he said, but the
canons Of the church do not forbid
poverty, nor yet manual labor"
He paused as if he had more to say.
"Well?" said Joan and waited for
him to continue.
There is something else" he said.
1T is-it is-that l cannot bear to
leave you! God knows cannot leave
you If I would"
A wave OF pity passed over Joan. A
month before she would have with
drawn herself in hot anger. But Isle
Rugen had gentled all her ways. But
now Joan was coming to her own
again. For to pity of Theresa Won
Lynar she was adding pity for Con-
rad Of CORTLAND and Joan of Hohen-
stein.
Speak" she said, very gently. do
not be afraid. tell me all that is in
your heart!"
Then Conrad spoke in low voice,
very distinct and even in its modula-
ton.
Listen, my lady Joan! love you
there is no use in hiding it. Doubt
less you have already seen it. love
you so greatly that VOWS, promises,
priesthoods, cardinalates are no more
to me than the crying of the seabirds
up yonder. Let a worthier man than
I receive and hold them They are
not for a weak and sinful man. My
bishopric let another take l would
rather be your groom, your servitor.
your lacquey, than reign on the seven
hills and sit in Holy Peters chart"
You do me too much honor" said
Joan quietly. 81 am weak and sinful
Or else would I, your brothers wife,
listen to such words from any man
least of all from your
Nay" said Conrad, you only lis
ten out of your great pitifulness. But
I am no worthy priest. l will not
take upon me the yet greater things
1 for which I am untitled. l will not
sully the holy garments with my
earthliness. Conrad of CORTLAND,
bishop and cardinal. died out there
among the breakers.
"He will never go to Rome, never
kneel at the tombs of the Apostles.
He will from this day forth be a servi-
tor, a servant of servants in the train
of the Duchess JOAN
He paused, almost smiling The
picture of his remuneration had grown
real to him even as he spoke. But
Joan did not smile. She waited a
space to see if he had aught further
to say. But he was silent, waiting for
her answer.
Conrad" she said very gently,
"that / have listened to you and that
1 have not been angry may be deadly
/ sin for us both. Yet l cannot be
angry. God forgive me! have tried
and / cannot be angry.
''Yet because you have dispensed
holy bread, and have knelt before
the altar as a bride we must keep
faith, you and I. We are bound by
our nobility. If we sin, let It be the
greater and rarer sin--the sin Of the
spirit only. Conrad. love you. Nay.
stand still where you are and listen
TO me, Joan, your brothers wife. For
I. too will clear my soul loved You
long ere your eyes fell on me. came
as Dessauer's secretary in the city of
CORTLAND determined to see the
man I was to wed saw the prince