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The Seaforth News, 1931-09-10, Page 6tr � rri!1. qtr PAGESIX THE SEAFORTH NEWS. JOAN of the wordHand By S. R. erockett (Continued frost Last 'Week)' No indignity had been offered to her. Indeed, as great honour was done her as was possible in the cir- cumstances. Prince Louis had ap- proached and led her by the hand to the steed which awaited her at the ford; of Alla. The soldiers of Court- land elevated their spears' and the trumpets of both hosts brayed a salute. Then, without a wend spoken, her husband had bowed and with- ' drawn as a gentleman should. Prince Ivan. then ,approached, and on one knee begged the privilege of kissing. her fair hand. 'The traitors of Kernsberg, who had bartered their mistress for sev- eral tuns of Rhenist, could not meet her eye, but stood gloomily apart with faces sad and downcast,, and from within the town came the sound. Of women weeping. Only George the Hussite stood by with a smile on his face and thumbs stuck in his waist- band. The captive Princess spoke not at as was indeed natural and fitting. 1—V.—woman conquered does not e'a'sily forgive those who have humbled her pride, She talked little even to Alt Pikker, and then only apart. The near- est guide, who had been chosen be- cause of his knowledge of 'German', could not hear a murmur. With bow- ed head and 'eyes .that dwelt steadily on the undulating mane of her white hark, Joan swayed her graceful body and compressed 'her lips like one cap- tured but in nowise vanquished. An•d. the soldiers of the army of •Cauntland (those of them who were married) whi,pered one to another, noting her demeanour, "Our good 'Prince is but at the beginning of his troubles, for, by Brunhild; did youever see such a wench They say she can engage any two fencers of her army at one't'ime]" "Her eye itself is like a rapier thrust," wh'is'pered another. "J'us't now I went near her to lo'ok, and she arched an eyebrow at tie, no more,--: send lo! 1 went cold at my marrow as if I 'felt the blue steel stand out at my backbone." angle bet wee a the two vdadow's. She, turned the combs and brushes over. tvith a contumelious hand. i°Wlhere is your hand glass " she cried. "Du not tell ole that younever. looked in it since you came to Court- land, or that you can pout up with that sq'u'inting 'falsifier up there." She Pointed to the oval framed "Venetian mirror which was :hung opposite her: "It `theists your faee all awry, this way ani] that; like a monkey cracking a nut" "1 have never even looked in eith- er!" ' said the Sparhawk. Soime subtle difference• in lune of voice caused the Princess to stop her work of patting into temporary docil- ity her fair clustering ringlets, wind- ing their about lrer ;fingers and rear- ranging to greater advantage the little golden combs' which Held her sadly rebellious tresses in .plebe. She 'looked keenly at .the Sparhawk, standing with both iter shapely arms at the 'back of her head and old'fng a long ivory pin with a head of .bright green malachite between her small white teeth. "Your voice is hoarse -somehow you are different," she said, ta'kin'g the. pin from her lips and slipping it through the rebellious plaits with a swift vindictive. motion. have caught a cold riding into the city," quoth the ,Sp'arlraw'k' hastily, blushing uneasily under her eyes. But for the time being his disguise was safe, Already -]Margaret of Courtland twos thinking of something •else. "Tell me," she began, going to 'the window and gazing pensively out ups on the green white flecked' pour .of the Alla, swilling under the beansof the sununer palace, "how many of your suite have followed you hither?" "Only Alt Pikker, my second cap- tain!" said the Sparhawk. Again the tones df his 'voice seem- ed to touch her woman's ear n'ith some subtile perplexity even in the midst of her abstraction. Margaret turned her eyes again upon Maurice, and kept them there, till .he shivered in the flowing, golden belted- dress of velvet which sat so handsomely upon his splendid figure. "And your chief captain, Von Or- sel'n?" The Princess seined to be meditating again, her thoughts far from the rush of the Alla ib•eneath and front the throat voice of the false Princess before her. "Von Orseln bas gone to the Bal- tic Edge to raise on niy behalf the 'folk of the marshes!" answered the Sparhawk w•aril;y. ".`Their there was—" the Princess hesitated, and her own voice grew a trifle ldwer—"the young man who came hither as Dessauer:s secretary— what of him? The Count von Loen, if 'I mistake not—that was his name." "He is a traitor!" The Princess turned quickly. "Nay," she said, "you do not think so. Your voice is kind when you speak of him. Besides, I am sure he is no traitor. Where is he?' "He is in the place Where he most wishes to be—with the woman he loses 1" The light died .out of the bright face of the Princess 1•lia'rgaret at the an- swer, .even as a dun snow cloud wipes the sunshine off a landscape. "Tie woman he loves:?" she stam- mered, as if she could not have heard aright. "Aye," said the a']se bride, loosen- ing her cloak and casting it behind her. "I swear it. He is with the wo- man he loses." But in his heart the Sparhawk was saying, "Steady, Master Maurice von Lynar—or all will be oat in five min- utes:" The Princess Margaret walked de- terminedly from the window to rite fireplace. She was not so tall by hall a head as her guest, but to the eyes of the Sparhawk she towered above hint, like a young poplar tree. He shrank from her searching glance. • The Princess laid her hand upon the sleeve of the velvet gown. A flush of anger crimsoned her fair face. "Ah!" she cried, "I see it all BOW, madam the Princess. You love the Count and you think to blind nae.' This is the reason of your riding off with him on your wedding day. I saw you ride by his side You a sent Count t Mau- rice to bring to you the four hundred lances of Ket sherg. It was for his sake that you left my brother Prince Lois at the church door. Like draws to like, they say, and your eyes even now• are as like as peas to those of the Count von Loen." And this indeed could •the Sparhawk in no wise deny. The Princess went, her angry way. • "There have been many lies told;"' she cried, raising the pitch of her voice, "hut I ani not 'blind. I can see through then. I am a woman and can gauge a woman',s pretext You yourself are in Iove with the Count von Loen,` and yet you tell me that he `is with the woman he loves. Bahl he loves you—you, his mistress—next, that .is, to his selfish, self seeking self. If Ire is with the yeoman, he loves,' as yott say, tell me her name!" There carte a knocking at the door. "Who is there?" demanded imperi- ously the Princess Margaret. "The- Prince of Muscovy, to present other, 1 pray you, and be assured that no evil or indignity shall befall one whom I admire 105 the fairest of wo- men and honour as my wedded wife!" ,Joan tirade no answer, 'bust leaped from 'her horse without waiting for the hand of Alt Pikker, which many -thought strange. Iii'another moment the arni.s of the Princess Margaret were about her aleck, and that impul- sive Princesswas kissing her heartily on cheek and lips; talking all the while through her tears. "Quiekl :Let us get in from all these staring stupid men. You are to lodge in my palace so long as it lists you. My brother hath promised it. Where are your •women " "I have 00 women," said Joan, in a low voice, blushing tneanw•hile; "they would not accompany a poor betrayed prisoner froth Kernsberg to a prison cell!" "Prison cell, indeed! You Will find that ,I have a very comfortable dun- geon ready for you. Hasten—pray do make haste!" cried the impetuous lit- tle lady, ,her arm close about the -tall Joan. "I thank you," said the false bride, with some reluctance, "but I ant well accustomed to wait on myself-" 'Indeed, S do not wonder," cried the ready Princess; "maids are vexa- tious creatures, well called: 'tire - women.' But come—see the .beautiful rooms I have chosen for yoii1 Make haste and take off your Cloak, and then I will conte to you; I am fairly dying to tack. Ah, why did you not tell me that day? That was il'1 done. S would have ridden so gladly with you. It was a glorious thing to d•o,. and has made you famous all over the: world, they say. 1 have been. thinking ever since what I can ,do to be upsides with you and make them talk about me. I will give them a surprise one day that shall be great as yours. But perhaps I may not wait till' I am Mai- d ed ar-ried to do it" And ide took her friend by th.e hand and with. a light hearted skipping mo- tion convoyed her to her summer pal- ace, kissed her again at the door, and shut her in with another i•mperiaus adjuration to be speedy. "I will give you a quarter of an. hour," she cried, as she lingered •a mo- ment; "then 'I will come to hear all your story, every word. "God wot," she murmured; "strange things to hear, indeed F Sweet lady, you little know 'how strange 1 This is ten thousand tines a straiten place to be in than when I played thus Gaunt von Loen. Alt, women, women, what you bring a poor innocent man to!" ,So without unhooking her cloak or even throwing back she hood, this sadly bewildered bride sat dawn, and tried to select any hopeful line of ac- tion out of the whittling chaos of her thoughts. And even as she sat there a knock carne sharply at the door. "It is the hunger and the anger that have done it," said another; "and, in- deed, small wonder! She looked .not so pale when I saw her ride along Court- land Street that day—the day she was to be married. Then her eyes did not pierce you through, but instead they .hone with their own proper light attd were very gracious." "A strange welch, a most strange wench. responded the first, "so soon to change her mind." "Hal" laughed hs coinpattian, "little do you know- if 'you say sol She is a woman—small doubt of that! Besides, is she not a princess? and wherefore should our Prince's wife not change her mind?", his duty to the Princess ' or Count- land!" ourt-fand!" "I do not wish to see hints—•I ` not see hint]" said tire Sparhawk hastily, vv'ho, felt that one inquisitor at a time was as much as he could hope to deal with; "Euler'1" said the Princess' Marg- aret haughtily. ,The 'Prince opened the door and stoocl on the threshold bowing to the ]aches, "Well?" queried Margaret of Court- land, without further acknowledgment net and the slightest hissaltstation than e s f s S otl chililest nod fly service to both noble Prin- cesses," the answer came with • suave' deference. "The Prince Louis sent me to beg of his noble spouse, the Prin- cess )oan, that she would, deign to receive; him." • "Tei'] Louis that .th,e Princess will receive him alt her own time.He ought to have better manners than to trou- ble -a lady ,yet' weary from a long journey. And as for :you, Prince Ivan, you have our 'leave to go!" Whilst ,Margaret was speaking the Prince had fixed his Piercing eyes upon the Sp'anhawk, as if already he had penetrated his secret. But be- cause he was a Aman Maurice sustain- ed the searching gaze with haughty indifference. 'The Prince of Muscovy turned Upon the Priarcess Margaret with a 'bright smile. "A41 t'h'is makes an ill lesson for you, my fair .betrothed," he said, bow- ing to her; "but—there will be no rid- ing home ,Duce we have you in Mos- cow!". "True,' I shall not need to return. for I shall never ride thither!" retort- ed the Princess. 'Moreover, I would have you remember that I am not your betrothed. The Prince Louis is your betrothed, if you have any in Courtland. You can carry 'hint to Mos- cow an you will, and cosnfiort each there," "That also 1 .niay do some day, madam!" flashed Prince Wasp, stirred to quick irritation: "But in the mean- time, Princess Joan, does it ,please you tosignify when you will receive your husband?" "No! no] nol" whispered the Spar - hawk in great perturbation. The Princess Margaret pointed to the door. "Gol" she said. "I myself will signi- fy to my 'brother when 'he can wait upon the Princess." "My Lady MLargaret," the Muscov- ite purred in answer, "think you it is wise thus to encourage rebellion in the most sadred relations of life?" The Princess Margaret trilled into merriest laughter and reached back a hand to take Joan's fingers in hers pro'tec'tin'gly. "The homily of 'the most revered Prince 1 van of Muscovy, upon matri- mouy; 'Jud'as cottdentniu'g treachery, Satan rebuking sin, were nothing to t;hisl't IWIth all his faults the Prince had humour, the humour of a torture scute in some painted Inferno. "Agreed," he said, smilingly; "and What does the Princess:Margaret pro- tecting that pale shrinking flower Joan of the Sword Hand, remind you of ?" "That the room of Prince Ivan• is more welcome to ladies than his com- pany!" retorted Ivlargaret of Court- land, still hold the Sparhawk'shand between both of hers, and keeping her angry eyes and petulant flower face indignantly upon the intruder. Had Prince Ivan been looking at her companion at that -moment he might have .penetrated the disguise, so tender and devoted a flight of love dwelt on, the Sparhawk's countenance and beaconed from ,his eyes. But he. only 'bowed deferentially and with- drew. Margaret and the Sparhawk` were left once mare alone. The two stood thus while the brisk footsteps of Prince Wasp thinned out down the corridor. Their Margaret tuned swiftly upon her tall compan- ion and, Still keeping her hand, she palled Maurice over io the window. Then in the fuller light she scanned the Sparhawk's features with a kindl- ing eye and paling lips. "God in leaven! s -he palpitated, holding him at a greater distance, "you are not the Lady Joan; you are —you are—" The man who loves youl" said the Sparhawk whowas very pale. "The Count von Loen. Ohl Maur- ice, why, did you risk 11?" she gasped. "They will kill you, tear you to pieces without remorse, when they, find you out. And it ie a thing that cannot be kept secret, Why did you do it?" "For your sake, beloved," said the Sperh•awk, coming nearer' to her; "to. look once more on, your face—to 'be-, hold once, if no more, the lips that. kissed me in the dark by the river brink!" "But -but -you may forfeit your life]" "And a thousand lives!" cried the Sparhawk, nervously puling at his woman's dress as if ashamed that he must wear it at such a time. "Life without yott is naught to Maurice von Lynar t" A glow of cons'cious.happiness rose warm and pink upon the cheeks of They entered Courtland, and the flags flew gaily as on the day of wed- ding. The drums beat, and the popu- lace drank from spigots that foamed red wine. Then Louis the Prince caste with hat in hand, and begged that the 'Princes Joann would graciously allow besidethrough the him to ride re her streets. Hespoke respectfully, and Iran could only bow her head in ac- quiescence, Thus they came to the courtyard of the palace, the people shouting be- hind then. There, on- the steps, gown- ed in white and gold, with hare ,hea'd.l, over-ruti with ringlets, stood the Prin- cess 'Margaret among her w'ont.en. And at sight of -her the heart of the false Princess gave a mighty ballad, as 'Joan of the Stvord Hand drew her ,hood closer about her 'Face, and tried to remember in_*hat fashion a lady dismounted from her horse. "MY lady," said Prince Louis, stand- ing hal is hand before her bath, "7 commit you to the care of lily sister, the `Princess Margaret, knowing the ancient friendship that there is be- tween you two. Site will speak for me, know ng all my 1i1 and being i eo herselfsh'ordy contracted in marriage to my good friend, Prince Ivan of !Muscovy, Open your ',hearts to' each THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 1931. the Princess- Margaret.. "Besides," added Maurice, "the cap tains` of Kern'sberg considered that: thus alone could': their mistress ` be saved." The glow paled -a little. "What! by sacrificing yon? But per- haps you did it for her sake, and not 'wholly, as you say, for ovine]" There was no such thought fn her heart, but she wished to hear him deny it.. "Nay, any 'one' lady," he ans'w.ered; "I was, iutdeed, more than ready to come to 'Courtland, but it was because :i m of the hope that surged through y heart, as flame leaps through tow, that I should see you and hear your voice]" The Princess held out :her hands im- pulsively and then retracted them as suddenly, ' ' Now, "eve must not waste time," she said; "I must save yiou. They would slay you on the least suspicion. 13111 I will match thein. W'oul'd to JGold that Conrad were here.. To him I could speak. I could trust 'him. He would !hap us. Let me see! Let me see!" ' She befit her ahead and walked 'slowly ,to the window. Like every true Countlaiider she thought best when site cotii'd wate'lt the swirl of the green Alla against its banks. The Sparhalwk took a step as if to follow her, but in - Stead stood still Where he was, drink- ing in her pt'oud and girlish beauty. To the eye Of any spy they were no more than two' noble ladies who had 11 1 the smaller and slighter of C.H A!PTEiR XXX. Love's Clear Eye. "And no -w" cried Princess Marg- aret, clapping het 'hands together ,im- plusively, "now at last I shall hear away, and youwen w r thm���. \\ h t rtey, y > who gave~ you up, and about the fight - ng. 1 gal the traitors, to betray you after all! 1 vvottld have. their Ireads off—and all to save their wretched touti and the lives of some score of fat hurghersl"" So far the Princess 'Margaret had never once looked at the Spanh•awuk in his borrowed plumage, as he's'to'od uneasily enough by the fireplace -of tube summer palace, leaning an elbow on the inantelslulf• But now she turned quickly to her guest. "Oh, I -love yowl" she cried, running to Maurice, throwing her arms about her false sister-in-law in an impulsive Tittle hug. "1 think you are so brave.' Is my hair sadly tangled Tell me truly, Joan. The wind hath tumbled it about mine eyes. Not that at mat- ters --with you 1" She said tate last Words with a little sigh. Then the Princess Margaret tripped across the polished floor to, a dressing table which had been set out in t'h.e PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical DR, H. HUGH ROES, Physician. and Surgeon. Late of London Hos- pital, London, England, Special attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Office and resi- deuce behind Dominion Bank, Office Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 104. SDR, F. J. BURROWS, Seaforth. Office and residence, Goderich street, east of the United Church. Coroner for theCountyof Huron. Telephone p No. 46. inane ec, whom had turned her back upon the taller! They were in the same position still, and the w^bite foam fleck Which Mar- garet was following with her eyes, had not vanished from her sight, when the door of the summer palace was rudely thrown ,open and an officer an- nounced in a loudand strident tone, "Tiho Prince Louis to visit his Princess!" (To Be Continued) 'DR, C. MiAOKIAY.-C, Mackay. honor 'graduate of Trinity University and gold medallist of Trinity Medical College; member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. DIR, F. J. R. F!OlR!STEIR-•-Eye, Ear Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medi- cine, University of Toronto 11897. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mia and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden, Square- throat hospi- tals, 'London, England. At Comm- ercial Hotel, Seaforth, 3rd.Monday is each month, from 11 a.m, to 3 p.m. People are getting lazier all the time. 'Thirty to forty years ago la- crosse w'as Canada's national .game and everybody went wild about it. A good lacrosse player Was a town's best asset and hero. Small boys idol- ized him and he was eulogised by the town newspaper and: encouraged by t'Ite girls with their .smiles. And Couldn't he runand catch and score goals! Alas, no •more, The effort is too strenuous and The 'London Free Press tells us that professional sport promoters, loolsing for a new summer game in which to interest the public, have developed what is called box la- crosse. It is played on a smaller play- inig field with fewer hien than the In- dians used to play with. I'f these pro- moters are looking for something, really exciting, why not place the players in baby Austins. 'T'hen every time a tire blew out they could make a home run, — Petrolia Advertiser Tlop'i e, For Caters-h.—It is one of the chief recommendations of Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil that it can be used in- ternally with as much success as it can outwardly. 'Sufferers from ca- tarrh will find that .the Oil when used according to 'directions will give prompt relief. _Many sufferers from this ailment have found relief in the Oil and have sent testimonials. Let us have the names of your visitors 0, H, Mclnnes Chiropractor Of Wingham, will be at the Commercial Hotel, Seaforth Monday, Wednesday and • Friday Afternoons Diseases of all kinds -success Cully treated Electricity used, DR. W. C. SIPROAT.—Graduate of Faculty of: Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London. Member of College of Physicians and Sur- geons of Ontario. Office in rear of Aberhart's drug store, Seaforth. Phone 90. Hours 1.30-4 p.m., 7.3t -9 p.m. Other hours by `appointment. Dental DR. J. A. MUNN, Successor to Dr. R. R. Ross, graduate of North- western University, Chicago, I1L Li- centiate Royal College of Dental Sur- geons, Toronto. Office over Sills hardware, Plain St., Seaforth. Phone 151. DR. F. J. BIECHiELY, graduate Royal College •of Dental Surgeons, Toronto. Office over W. R. Smith's grocery, Main St., Seaforth. Phones, office 1S51W, residence 1855. Auctioneer. 1QEOIRGE ELLIOTT, 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 RECD'S REAL ESTATE AND INSU'R•ANCE AGENCY (Succssors to James 'Watson) MAIIiN ST., SIEAF IOiRTH, OiN'T. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed ffected at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE McKILLOP Mutual Fire Insarance Co, FIAIR!M AN!D. IISOLATED TOW!M PROPERTY, 0 N Y, IMSUR!hD Officers—James Connolly, Goder- ich, Pres.; James Evans, Beech,woatl, Vice President; D. F. McGregor, Seaforth, Sec. -Treasurer. Directors—Wan, Rinn, No. 2, See - forth; John Bennowies, Brodltagen; James Evans, Beechwood; M. Mc- Ewen, Clinton; James Connolly, God- erich; Alex. Broadfoot, No. 3, Sea - forth; J. M. Sho'ldice,' No. 4, Walton; "Robert Ferris, Hariock; George Mc- Cartney, No. 3, Seaforth; Murray 'Gibson, Brucelleld, Agens—James Watt, Blyth r,r. No. 1, E..Iiinchley, Seaforth; J. A. Murray, r.r. No. 3, Seaforth; J. V. Yeo, Holmesville; R. G. Jarmoutlt, 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. HighClass Prinling We can give you prompt and satisfactory service price in the following lines of printing:— Letterheads rinting: Letterheads Envelopes Statements. Bill -heads. Private Cheques Circulars Tags Cards Tickets Sale Bills Dodgers Menus Factory Forms Society Stationery at a moderate Blotters Booklets Business Cards Visiting Cards Wedding Station- ery Invitations 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 resod- crate cost. THE Tw �EAF'A DEWS