Long Valley advocate. (Lardo, Idaho) 1904-1907, 1907-02-07
church, even the organ appeared to
still itself. All listened tntently,

though only few heard the converse |
ton.
Il have that honor" bowed the man |
with the bent shoulders.
Then, as God lives, l will never |
marry you!" cried Joan, all her soul in |
the disgust of her voice.
BE not disdainful, my lady, said
the bridegroom mildly; 81 will be your
humble slave. You shall have a
palace and an establishment of your
own, an it like you. The marriage
was your fathers desire, and hath the
sanction of the emperor. 1t is as
necessary for your state as for mine"
Then, while the people waited in a
kind of palpitating uncertainty, the
Princess Margaret whispered to the
bride, who stood with a face as ashen
| pale as her white dress.
Well" she said finally, Il will
marry this man. since it is my fate.
Let the ceremony proceed"
Il thank you, gracious lady" said
the prince, taking her hand and lead
ing his bride to the altar. you will
never regret it,"
mo, but you will" muttered his
groomsman, Prince Ivan of Muscovy.
The full rich tones of the prince
bishop rose and fell through the
crowded Minister as Joan of Hohen-
stein was married to his elder
brother. and with the closing words
of the episcopal benediction an awe
fell upon the multitude. They felt
that they were in the presence of
great unknown forces, the action and
interaction of which might lead no
man knew whittier
At the close of the service, Joan.
now Princess OF CORTLAND, leaned
, over and whispered a word to her
captain, Maurice Won Lynar, an action
noticed by few. The young man
started and gazed into her face; but,
Immediately commanding his emotion
he nodded and disappeared by a side
. door.
The great organ swelled out. The
marriage procession was reformed
>, The prince bishop had retired to his
:, sacristy to change his robes. The new
= princess of CORTLAND came down the
: aisle on the arm of her husband.
In the center of the Minister Place
, the 400 lances of the Kernsberg es
'. cort had formed up, serried mass o
- beautiful well-groomed horses, stall
- wart men, and shining spears, from
=. each of which the pennon of thei
- mistress futtered in the light wine
- On the steps of the Minister, afte
10 they had descended more than hal
I way, the new Princess of COurtlan
turned upon her lord. Her han
slipped from his arm, which hung
NJ moment crooked and empty before
II dropped to his side. His mouth wa
II little open with surprise.
a "Now, my lord" said the Princes
i Joan, loud and clear. 81 have marie
u YOU. The bond of heritage-brothel
y hood is fulfilled. | have obeyed m
II father to the letter. l have obeyed tn
i emperor. | have done all. Now be
4 known to you and to all men that
m will neither live with you nor yet
TIA your city. l am your wife in mann
ITl You shall never be my husband
XIII aught else | bid you farewell, Primo
of Courtland Joan Of Hohenstein ma
marry where she is hidden, but s1
loves where she will.
The horse upon which she had CON
TO the Minister stood waiting. Thel
was the Sparhawk ready to help b'
into the saddle.
ii Ere one of the wedding guests cou
move to prevent her, before the Prime
of CORTLAND could cry an c
!. der or decide what to q
nd Joan of the Sword Hand h;