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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1931-08-13, Page 6PAIGE Cele THE SEAFORTH .NEWS. JOAN of the SwordHan By S. R. erocken (Continued from ,Last 'Week.. 1OHIAPTEIR XXII The .House on the Dunes The woman in the crimson cloak waited for Joan to be assisted from the boat, and then, without a word of greetting, led the way up a little sand- ed path to a gate w•,hlich opened in a high stone wall. 'Through this she ad- mitted her guests, whereupon the found themselves- in an enclosure wit towers and battlements rising diml all round. It was planted with fra grant bushes and fruit trees w"hos leaves brushed pleasantly against thei faces as they walked in single fil fallowing their guide. Then came .a long grey_ building, an Other door, small and creaking i eav ily on unaccustomed .hinges, a suddet burst of light, and lot the wanderer Found themselves within a lighted hal wherein were many stands and ar mour, mingled with skins of wild ani mals, wide -spreading many -tined ant leis, and other records of 'the chase. The woman who had' been' 'their guide now set dawn her lantern and allowed the hood of her cloak to slide from her head. \Verner and his two male companions the captains ,of Plas- senburg, fell back a little at 'the appa- rition. They had expected to see same hag or crone, fit companion of their wordless guide. Instead, a woman stood before them, not girlieh certainly, nor yet in the first :bloom of her youth, but glor- ious even among fair women.. by rea- son of the very ripeness of her beauty. Her hair shone full auburn with sha- dows of heavy burnt -gold upon its coils. It clusttered about the broad low brow in a fete simple locks, then, sweeping back round her head in loose natural waves, it was caught in a broad fiat color at the back, giving a certain statuesque and classic dig- nity to her head. The !nether of that young paladin, their Sparhawk. 'It seemed impossible. This woman was too youthful, too fair, too !must:Hui in her gracious beauty to be the mother of such a tense young yew -bow as Maurice von Lynar. Yet she had said it, and women do not lie (affirmatively) about such a matter. So, indeed, at heart thought Werner von Orseln. "My lady Juan," she said, in the same thrilling voice, "my .son has sent me word that till a certain great dan- ger is overpast you are to abide with me here on the Isle Rugen. I live alone, save for this one man, dumb Max Ulrich, icing since cruelly maim- ed at the hands of his enemies.. I can offer you no suite of attendants be- yond those you bring with you. Our safety depends on the secrecy of our albode, as for many years my own life has done. I ask you, therefore, to respect our privacy, as also to impose the same upon your soldiers," The Duchess Jean bowed slightly, "As you doubtless know, I have not come hither of my own free will," she answered `haughtily; 'but I thank you, madam; for your hospitality. Rest as- sured that the amenity of your dwell- ing shall not be endangered by niel" The 'two looked at each other with that unyielding n eat -ares -length" e e Y gy shot which signifies antipathy between women of strong wills. Then with a large gesture the elder indica'te'd t'he way tip the broad stair- case, and throwing her own cloak completely off she caught it across her arm as:it dropped, and so follow- ed Joan out of sight. Werner vol Orsein stood looking after them a little bewildered. But the More experienced Boris and Jorian ex- changed significant glances with each other, 'Then Boris shook. his 'head at Jor- . ern, and Dorian shloak his head at Brie- , is. And for once they did not desig- nate the outlook by their favourite ad- jective. * * * 'Nevertheless, instinct was so strong that, as soon as. the women had with- drawn themselves upstairs, the three e'ap!fains'seized the lantern and start-. e'eh •ildwdor!da the door '10 make the round 'of the defences. Tlie 'Word- less elan' accompanied them unasked. The square enclosure in which ,they found themselves seemed liken an old fortified farniltbuse or grange than' a regular castle, though the walls were as thick as those of any fortress, be - leg looph,oled for musketry, and (in those days of bombards few and heavy) capable of standing a siege in tl good earnest aga!ns,t a small army. The doors were of thick• oak cross - Y ed in all directions tvitih strengthen- ; ing iron. Tee three captains eaa'nidned every barred window •with keen pro- fessional curiosity, and, coming to an- other staircase in a distant part of the hottse, Vlon Orsdln intimated tIo the dumb man that they wished to exam- ine it. In rapid pantomime the indic- t aced ,to thein that there was an ascen- ding flight of steps. 'leading round and round a tower till a platform was reached,. from which (gazing ovt un- der his hand and making with this fin- - ger the shape of batflements)y'h'egave them to understand that an extensive' prospect was to be enjoyed. With an inward resolve to ascend that stair and look upon that prospect at an early hour on the morrow, the three captains returned thr!augh the hall into a long diming -room• vaulted above with beams of soled oak, Cur- tains were drawn close all about the walls. In the recesses were many stands of arms of god and recent consltruction, and opening a cupboard with the freedom of a man-at-arms, Boris saw ramrods, powder and shot Horne arranged in order, as neatly as though he hail done it himself, Than which no better •could be said, • ,In a little while the sound of foot- steps descending the nearer staircase was heard, The Wordless Man: mov- ed to the door and held it open as Joan came in with a proud high look of her face. She was still, pale, parely with travel and ,partly from the seeth- ing indignant angers of her heart. Von Lynar's mother entered immediately aeter her guest, and; it needed nothing more subtle .than Werner .von Or'seln':s masculine acumen to discern that ne. word had been spoken' between arm while they were atlone. With a queenly gesture t'he hostess motioned her guest to t'he place of honour at her right hand, an'd 'inldicat- ed that the three soldiers were to •take their places at the Other side of the table. Werner von. Orsedn .moved au- tomatically to obey, but Jorian and Boris were already at the sideboard, dusting platters and .making them ready to serve the meal. "I thank you, na'da.m," said Jlarian, "Were we here as envoys of our mos' ter, Prince Hugo of Plassen'burg, we would gladly and proudly sit et neat with you. But we are volunteers, and have all our lives been men -alt -arms. 'We will therefore assist this ,good. gentleman to serve, an it please you to permit us!" The lady bowed slightly, .mild for the first time smiled. +"You have, then, aecorrtpanied the Lady Duchess hither for pleasure, gentlemen? I fear Isle Rugen is a poor place for that!" she said, looking across at them. "Aye and oI' sal n dprion J "Keens - berg erg t, indeed, no fit dwelling -place for great ladies just now The Duch ess Joan will indeed be. safer here than elsewhere till the Muscovites have gone home, and the hill -f'ol'k of Hoh enstcin have only the Courtdanders to deal with. Al! the same, we could' have wis'he'd to have been permitted to speak with the ,Muscovite in the gate l" "My son remains in Castle Kerns - berg?" she asked, with an upward in flection, an indesc:ribabde softness at the same time overspreading her face and a warmth coming into the grey eyes which showed what 'this woman might he to those whom she really loved. "He keeps the Castle, indeed—aim h'is' mistress's absence and' mine," said Werner. "He will make a goad say dier. Our lady has already made him' Count von Loen, that he -!nay be the equal of t'hos'e '•who 'chit~ fir such, titles," A strange flash as of refnenbran+ce and emotion passed over the face of their hostess, "And your own title, my, lord?" she' asked after a little pause. "I am plain .Werner von (erectile free titter and faith fol servant pf my mistress 'the Duchess Joan, as T was also to her father, 'Henry the Lion of I-Iohenstelnl" He bowed as he"spoke and contin- ued, "I do not love titles, 'acrd, indeed, they would be wasted me an ancient ' grizzle gate like me. ButY aur son is young, amtl deserves tthlis fortune, ma- dam. He will dou'btless do great hon- our to my lady's favour." • The eyes of the elder lady turned. inquiringly to those of Joan. "I have now no 'faithful servants," said the young ,Duchess at last, bleak ing her cold silence; "I have only traitors and jailers about me." lee ith that she became once more silent. A painful restr'aitnt fell upon the three so o'sa't at table,, and though their Irottess and Werner von Orcein partook of the fish and brawn aril. fruit which their three. servitors set before tlhem in silver platters, it was but sparingly and without appetite: All were glad when the meal was ever and they could rise from the table, As soon as possilble Boris and Jorian got outside into the long pas- sage which led to 'the kitchen, Ha,' cried Boris, "I declare I would have burst if I had stayed in there another' quarter hour! et 'was solemn as serving Karl the Great and his longbeards in their cellar ander the Hartz. I wonder if they are go- ing to keep it up all the tame after this fashion!" "And this is pleasure," rejoined Jo- rian gloomily; "not even a good rous- ing fight on the way. And then—why prayers far the dead are cheerful'as dance grdens in July to , that 'festal board, Good Lord! give me- the Lady Ysolinde and the gnomes we fought long ago at Erdbe.rg. This stiff sword handed Joan of theirs freezes a man's: internals like Bettie ice. "Jorian," said Boris, solemnly low ering his voice to a whisper, "if that Courtland fellow had known what we know, he would have been none so eager to get her home to bed and beard!" 'Ice will melt—even Baltic ice!" said Jorian sententiously. 'Yes but greybeard Louis of Count - land is not the man to do the smelting" retorted. Boris, "But I know who couidl" said Jo- rian, nodding ills head with an air of immense sagacity. (Boris went on cutting brawn' upon a wooden platter with a swift and careful hand. The old servitor moved. noiselessly about behind there, with feet that trade no more noise than those of •a cat walking on velvet. "'Who?" ssdd Boris, shortly. 'The door of the kitchen: opened slightly and the tall woman stood a moment with the fated, in her hand,_ ready to enter. ' "Our Sperhawk could melt the Bal- tic ice!" said Joriae, and winked et Boris with hie left eye in a sly man - net. 'Whereupon Boris dropped his knife and, seizing Dorian by the shoulders, he thrust hi.n, down upon a broad stool. Then he dragged the platter of brawn before him and dumped the musearcl pot beside it upon the deal table with a resounding clap. "There!" he cried, e "fill your silly mouth with that, Fatsides! 'Tis all yon are good for, I have stood a deal of: fine larded ignorance from you in mny. time, but nothing like 'this. You will be saying next that my lady Duchess is taking a fancy to you!" • "She might do worse!" said Dorian philo ophf'cally .as he stirred the mus- tard with his knife and looked about for the ale tankard. OHI'\tleTER XXIed The Face that Looked into Joan's The chamber to which the Duchess Joan was conducted . by • her hostess had evidently beeh carefully prepared for her reception. It was a targe low room, with a vaulted roof of carvers wool!, Thework was of great merit an d evidently r old, 1 y The devices upon it were moetly c y oats of„ms winch originally had been gilded and paint- ed in heraldic colours, though 'neglect through long .genere tioi,s had tarnish- ed the gold leaf and caused the col- ours to peel off in places. I-Iere and there, however, were shields of more recent design, bet in every case the motto and scutcheon of these had been defaced. At bath ends of the' room were windows, through -whose stained glass Joan geared without <ee- subt into blank darkness. Then she opened a little square • of panes just', large enough to put her' head through end saw a walk of lofty poplars ail-� ouetted ageing the sky, dark towers, of leaves all a -rustle and a-sihiver: from the zen'i'th to the ground, es a; moaniing and sobbing wind drew in- ward aril whispered to them of the coming se:lltt, Then Joan shift t:he wincfo'w and looked about her. The bed was low end '.wide, ,v itlh' eetee'ts of fine linen folded black, andel over all a richly o braidered coverlet, At the .further e of, the chamber was s fireplace, w a projecting hood of ena.nt fled ori looking fresh and new amid so mu that was centuries old: Oaken pan to'ered the walls, opening mos't'ly to deep' cupboards, They proved be unlocked and were filled with a ciente parchments, giving forth faintly aromatic smell, bolt without particle of dust •ution their leaves: T cleanliness of everything within chamber had, been- scrupulously end t ed to. For a full hour Joan walked t chamber with her hands clasped b hind her back, thinking how she tb return to her ,well -beloved Ke:ia berg, Her pride was slowly abati and with it Iter anger against •eho faithful servants who lad,rieked I favour to convey her beyond , t reach of danger. But' acme tlbe Jess s was 'resolved to go back. This co flirt must tdat take A'l'ice without h If Kernsber:g were captured, at Maurice van Lynar found personate his mistress, he would surely be p to death. If he fell into 'Muscovi hands that death would 'he by to: tore, • At all hazards she would retern. And to this problem elle turned her thoughts, knitting her brows and working her fingers nervously through. each other. She had it. There was a way. 'Site would wait until the morrow and in the meantime -sleep. As she stooped to blow out the last candle, a' motto on the stem caught her eye.' It ran round the mas- sive silver base of the candelabra in the thick Gothic characters of a hun- dred years before. Joan took the candle out of its socket and read the inscription word by word— ” a Pacem, tDonine, in Die'bus nos - tris." It was her scroll, the motto of the reigning dukes df Hcihenstein— a strange one, doubtless, to be that of a fighting race, hut, nevertheless, her father's and' her awn, joan held the candle in her hand. a long time, looking at it, heedless of the wax that 'dripped on the floor. What did her father's motto, the device of her house, upon this Baltic island, far from the ' highlands of 'Kernsberg? Had these wastes once belonged to men of her race And this woman, who so regally played the mistress of this strange heritage. who was she? And what was the se- cret of the residence of one in this acilden,ees who, by her manlier, might in her time have queened it in royal courts? :And as Joan of Hohenstein blew. out the candle she mused in her heart concerning these things. *: * * The Duchess Joan sleplt soundly, her 'dark boyish head pillowed on the 'full rounded curves of an arm thrown behind her. On the ,Tittle velvet -cover- ed table beside the bed lay her belt and its dependent sword, a faithful companion in its sheath of Main black leather. Under the pillow, and within instant reach of her right hand, was her father's dagger. With it, they said, Henry the Lion had more than once removed an enemy who stood in his way, or mare honorably given the coup de grace to a would-be assassin, Without, the mood of the night had changed. The sky, which had hith- erto ,been of favorable aspect, save far the green .light in the north as they rowed across the waters of the Raft, was now overflowed by thin wisps of cloud 'tacking up against the wind, Towards the sea a steely Nue smoth- er had settled dawn along the. hori- zon, while the thunder growled near- er like a roll of drums beaten contin- uously. The wind, however, was not regular, but came in little puffs and bursts, now warm, ijpw cold, from every point of the compass. 'But still Joan slept on, being tired with her journey, en their chamber' in fhe wing which boles towards the north' t'he three captains lay wrapped in their several nantles, Dorian and Born answering each other nasally, in alternate trum- pet blasts, like Alp calling to Alp. (Werner von Orcein alone could ' not. sleep,andafter he B d sworn an ad kicked his noisy companions in the ribs till he was weary of the task, he rose and went to the window to cast open the lattice. The air within felt thick and hot. He fumbled long at t•he. catch, and in the unwholesome silence of the strange house the chief captain seemed to hear muffled feet going o and fro on the floor above •him. But of this he.t'hotight little, For strange places were familiar to him, and any sense of danger shade but an added spice in his cup of life. At last he worried the catch loose, the lattice pane fell sagging inwards on its'douible'hinge of skin. As Wer- ner, set his face to the opening quick flashes of sun -otter lightning flamed al- ternately white and lilac across the horizon, 'and he felt the keen spit of hailstones in his face, driving level like so many musket balls when the infantry fires by platoons, * * * !Above, in the .vaulted clhem!bea•, 10- nd ith ck, cli els in to „- a a he tine at- he 5 - 'as lo- ng, se et. he die 11- e.r, Id ,g alt to r- THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 193E Josn turned over on her bed, murm- uring. uneasily in her sleep. 1. white face, which=''for a quarter of an hour had been !heat doiwn to her dark bead as it lay on the pillow;. was •sudd.eely retra•eted into the blackness at the girl's slight mevement, • Again apparenely t'eassueed, the shadowy visage approached as the young Duchess lay without further motion. Withoult tee' storm ,broke Vit, a burst of appalling fury, The' pale blue forks of tee lightning flamed just, oftt iel see the casement in Rash 'on con - tuiuou's flash. The thundor shock the house like in earthquake 'Suddenly, and for no apparent rea- son, Joan's eyes opened, and she found herself .looking with beailder- uient.-into a face that bent down opop her, a white face !Which somehow seemed to hang suspended` in the dark aitove her. ` The features were lit tip by the pulsing lightning which shone' in the wild eyes and glittered. on a knifeblade about the handle of which; were clenched the :tense white fingers of a hand equally detached A quick icy thrill :c'h•nlled the girl's marrow, darting like a'spear through her body. But Joan of IHohet sitein was the true 'seed of Henry the .Lion., In a moment her right hand had grasped the sward beside her pillow. Her left shooting upward, closed on the arm which hell the threatening steel. At the saute time slue flung her- self forward, and with the roaring turmoils of the storm dining in her ears she grappled something that withstood her ii, the interspace of darkness that had followed the flashes. Jean's spring had been that of the c'ouchant young wild cat. Almost without rising from her bed ,she had projected herself upon' her enemy. Her :left hand grasped the wrist so tightly that the blade fell to -the ground, whereupon Joan of the Sword Hand shifted her grasp- upwards. 'fiercely till she felt her fingers sink deep in tee soft curves of a woman's throat. (To Be Continued) COUPLE ATTACKED Set upon and brutally attacked by a trio o:f young hoodlums in River- dale Park, Toronto, shortly before 1 o'clock Friday morning, Thomas Baird, 23, Carleton street, was chok- ed into insensibility and his young women friend, Miss Helen Taylor, 23, of Metcalfe street, was slugged un- censaious after a desperate battle.. When the tryvo recovered conscious- nessness they found that hiss Tay- lor's diamond.rin;g, a wrist watch and other valuables had beet stolen. Miss 'Parlor told the police that she. and Baird were sitting in Riverdale' Park on a beech when three young hoodlums came u:p to them and, made offensive remarks. !Baird told the three yo,uth•s to beat•it. He was sud- denly attacked by all three and chok- ed insensible. 'Miss Taylor' went to his assistance and was suddenly struck on the head and beaten over' the face. She, too, became uncon- scious, Persian 13iahn is alluringly fragrant. Adds a charming refinement to the most finished appearance. Crea'tes and preserves complexions of surpassing loveliness and texture. Softens and whitens the hands. Cools and dispels all iritation caused by weather condi- tions. Swiftly absorbedby the tissues leaving never a vestige of stickiness. A peerless toilet requisite. Invaluable to all 1V0111 ell wh'o care for elegance and distinction, D. H. McInnes Chiropractor Of Wingham, will be at the Commercial Hotel, Seaforth Monday, Wednesday and Friday Afternoons Diseases of all kinds success.. telly treated, Electricity used, PROFESSIONAL 'CAtRDTS ,• Medical ,DIR. Hi HiO1GII-I RO'SIS, Physiciaia. and Surgeon: Late of London Hose pital, London, England, Special attention to diseases of the eye, carr' nose and throat. Office . and resi- dence behind Doh -inion panic, Office Phone No. 5; Residence 'P'hone 104. DR F. J. BURROWS, ,Seaforth, Office and residence, Goderich street; east, f o the United Church. Coronas for the County of Huron. Telephone No. 46. DR, C. M!ACKIAY,-C. Mackay,; honor graduate of Trinity Uuivers'rtyty; and gold medallist of Trinity Medicee College;' member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario; DIR. F. J.. id IIO1PJSITE.JR Rye, Ear' <. Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medi -1 cine, University of Toronto Mee; Late Assistant New York Opinthal-t mic`apd Aural In'stitute,. Moorefield's,i Eye, and Golden Square throat hasp!-., tats,: London, England. At CoMM- ercial hotel,. Seaforth, 3rd Monday iia each month, front 11 a.m.: to 3 p.m. No 'visit in August, nt? W C S,PIRO'AIT-Gradatate o0 Faculty of Medicine, University ofi t Wes,ern 'Ontario, London. AZem:Grs,: of College of Physicians and Sur- I. geons of Ontario, Office in rear of Aberhart's drug store, Seaforth. Phone 90. Hours 1.30.4 p.m., 7.36r -9 p.m. Other hours by appointment- ''; Dental DE. J. A. Mt'NN, Successor to 1. Dr. R. R. Ross, graduate of North- i western University, C'hicaga, Ili_ Li- r centiate Royal College of Dental Sur- 1 geons, Toronto. Office over Sills' hardware, Alain St., 'Seaforth. Picone 151. DR. F. J. REMEDY, graduate Royal .college of Dental Surgeons, Toronto. Office over W. R. Smit'h's grocery, Main 'St., Seaforth, Phones, office 185W, residence 1853. Auctioneer. GEORGE FLIJIIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guranteed WATSON- AND. REID% REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Succssors to 'James 'Watson) iILAtIiN ST., SEAF;OIRTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ,ed ffect'ed at lowest rates in First -Class 'Companies. THE McKLLLOP Mutual Fire ins prance Ce. FARM AND ISOLATED TOWN P'•RIO'P,E'RITS', Q N• L Y, INSURiBlT Officers -James Connolly, Goder- ich, Pres,; 'James Evans, Beechwood, Vice President; D. F. McGregor Seaforth, Sec. -Treasurer. Directors—Wm. Rion, No. 2, Sea- forth; John Bennewies, Brodhagen; James ,Evans, Beechwood; M. Mc- Ewen, Clinton; James Connolly, God- erich; Alex,. Broadfoot, No. 3, Sea - forth; J. M. Sholdice, No. 4, Walton; Robert Ferris, Oarlock; George Mc- Cartney, No. 3, Seaforth; Murray Gibson, Brucefield, Agens--James Watt, Blyth r.r- No, 1, E. Hinchley, Seaforth; J. A. Murray, r,r. No. 3, Seaforth; J. V. Yeo, Holmesville; R. G. farewell], Bornholm, James Kerr and John Go- venlock, Seaforth, auditors. Parties desirous to effect insurance or,'tran- sact other business, will be promptly attended to by :application to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective postoffices, 1,1141111125415 igh Class Printing We can give you prompt and satisfactory service at a moderate price in the following lines of printing:— Letterheads Envelopes Statements. Bill -heads. Private Cheques Circulars Tags Cards Tickets Sale Bills Dodgers Menus Factory Forms Society Stationery The News has an up-to-date commercial printing plant and we are equipped, to turn out all classes of job work. Give us a call. We have a new automatic press with great speed, recently installed to produce printing, .well done, with speed, and at mod- erate costa Blotters Booklets Business Cards Visiting Cards Wedding Station.. ery Invitations THE gEAFO TH DEUIS