Loading...
The Seaforth News, 1931-06-18, Page 6PAGE SIX THE S.EAFORTH NEWS.. THURSDAY, TUNE 18,'1931: (Continued from last week.) 'His brother," thought the secret- ary. "I did not know he had a broth- er—a lad, I suppose, in whom Des-• ,sauer hath an interest. He is ever considerate to the young!" But aloud he answered, "I grieve. to tell you, my lord, that the High Councillor von Dessauer is not able to leave his. bed this morning, He caught a chill yesterday, either, riding hither or at the tourney, and it hath induced an old trouble which no leech has hither- to been skillful enough to heal en- tirely. He will, I fear, be kept close in his room for several days." "I also ant grieved," said the Prince with grave regret, seeing the youth's agitation, and liking him for it. "I am glad he keeps the art to make himself so beloved. I't is one as use- ful as it is unusual in a diplomatist!" Then with a quick change of subject habitual to the man, he said, "How found you your way hither The corridors are both confusing and in- tricate, and the guards ordinarily somewhat exacting." The •tall youth smiled. "I was in the best hands," he said, "Your sister, the Princess :Margaret, was good enough to direct nee, being on her way to her own apartment." "Ah!" stuttered the Prince, smil- ing as if he knew his sister, "this is the way to the Princess's apartments, is it? The Moscow road to Rome, I' wotl" Be said no more, but stood regard- ing the youth, whose blushes came and went as he stood irresolute before hini, "A modest lad," said the Prince to (himself; "this ingenuousness is par- ticularly charming in a secretary of legation. I must see 'tore of hint," Suddenly a thought crossed his mind, "Why, did I not hear that you carne to us by way of Kernsberg?" he said. The blushes ceased and a certain pallor showed under the tan which Overspread the young man's face as the Prince continued to gaze fixedly at him. He could only bow in as- sent. "Then, doubtless, you would see the Duchess Joan?" he continued. "Is she very beautiful? They say 50." "I do not think so. I never thought about it at alll" answered the secret- ary. Suddenly he found himself plunged into deep waters, just as he. bad seen the port of safety before The Prince laughed, throwing hack his head a little. "That is surely a strange story to bring here to Courtland," he said "whither the lady is to come as a bride ere long! Especially strange to tell me, who—" "I ask you pardon," said Johann Pyrmont; "your Highness must bear with me. I have never done an er- rand of such moment before, having mostly spent niy life among soldiers and ("he was on his guard now") in a fortress. For diplomacy and word -play I have no skill—no, nor any liking!" "You have chosen your trade strantgely, then smiled the Prince, "'to proclaim such tastes. Wherefore are you not a soldier?" "I ami I ami" cried Johann eager- ly; "at least, as touch as it is allowed to one of my—of my strength to be," "Can you fence?" asked the Prince, "or play With the broad blade?" "I an do both!" "Then," continued his inquisitor, "you 'must surely have tried yourself against the Duchess Joan, They say she has wonderful skill, Joanof the Sword Hand, I have heard her called. You have often fenced with her ?" "No," said the secretary, .truthfully, "I have •never fenced with the Duch- ess Joan." "So," said the Prince, evidently in considerable surprise; "then you have ,certainly often seen her fence?" "I have never seen the Duchess fence,but I have often seen Otters fence with her," brother!" said ,the Princess pointedly. "And 'wherefore?" he said, turning quickly with the 'papers still in his Mand, '"If to guide, to advise, to retie, 'are of my'•profession, surely to speak of women, who are the snore import- ant half of the human race, cannot be foreign to my calling!" "Conte," she said,. hearing the worths without 'attending to the sense, "I also like things foreign. The noble secretary has promised to teach ,tie some more of them!" The tolerant Prince laughed. I3e, Was , evidently accustomed to his sister's whines, and knowing 'saw harmless they were, he never inter- fered with them. "A good day to you," •he said to the young man, by way of dismissal., "If I do not see you again 'before you leave, you must promise me' to come back to the wedding of the Duchess Johanna. an any event yoti must do me the honour to be my guest' on that occasion." 'The red flooded back to Johann's cheek, "1 thank you," he said, bowing; "I will come back to the wedding of the tDuchess"'Joan." "And you promise to be my guest? I insist upon it," continued the kindly Prince, willing to gratify his sister, who was smiling approval, "I insist that you shall let me, be your host." "I hope to be your guest, most noble Prince." said the secretary, looking up at him quickly as he went through the door,' It was a singular Took, 'For •a moment it checked.and astonished the Prince so much that he stood still on the threshold. "Where have '.I seen a look like that before?" he mused, as he cast his memory into the past without success. "Surely never on any man's face?" 'Which, after all, was likely enough. Then putting the matter aside as curious, but of no consequence, the Prince rode away towards that part of the city from which the towers of the minster loomed up. A couple of priests .bowed low before him as he passed, and the people standing still to watch his broad shoulders acid erect carriage, said one to the other, "Alas! alas! the truest ,Prince of them all—to he thus thrown awayl" And these 'were' the words which the secretary heard from a couple of guards who talked at the gate'of the rose -garden, as they, too, stood look- ing after the Prince. "Wait," said Johann Pyranont to himself; "wait, 1 will yet show them whether he is thrown away or dot" +OHI,AIP7IER IX. "You practise casuistry, surely," cried the Prince, "I do not quite fol- low the distinction." But, nevertheless, the secretary knew •that the difference existed. He would have given all the proceeds and emoluments of bis office' to es- cape at this moment, but the eye of the Prince was too steady. "I doubt not, young sir," he con- tinued, "that you were one of the artily of admirers which, they say, continually surrounds the Duchess of !Hohensteinl" "Indeed, you are in ,great error, my lord," said Johann Pyrmont, with much earnestness and obvious sin- cerity; "I never said one single wed of love to the Lady Joan—no, nor to any other woman!" "No," said a new voice from the doorway, that of the Prfncest Marg- aret, "but doubtless you took great pleasure in teaching them foreign customs. And I am persuaded you did it very well, tool" The Prince left his desk for the. first time and carne smilingly towards his sister. As he stooped to kris her hand, Johann observed that his hair seemed already to be thin upon the top of his head. "He is young to be growing bald," he said to himself; "but, after all" (with a sigh), "that does not matter in a man so noble of mien and in every way so great a prince." The impulsive Princess Margaret scarcely permitted her hand to be kissed. She threw her arms warmly about her brother's neck, and then as quickly releasing him, she turned to the secretary, who stood deferential- ly looking ou•t at the window, that he might not observe the meeting of brother and sister. "I told you he was my favorite bro- ther, and that you would love him,, too," she said. "You must leave your dull Plassenburg and come to Court- land. I, the Princess, ask you. Do you promise ?" "I think I shall come again to Courtland," answered the secretary very gravely. "This young man knows the Duch- ess Joan of Hohenstein," said the. Prince, still smiling quietly; "but I do not think he admires her very greatly—an opinion he had better keep to himself if he would have a quiet life of it in Cowhand!" "Indeed," said the Princess brus- quely. "I wonder not at it. I hear she is a forward minx, and at any rate she shall never lord it over me. I will run away with a dog -whipper first." took the young man's hand ,and read bis fortune, d+we'lltng rrownifgly on the lines of love and dife? "You have too pretty a hand for a pram;;' she said; "why is it hard here and here?" • "That is ,from the sword grip," said the secretary, with no small pride. "Do you, then, fence well? I wish I could see you," she cried, clapping her hands. "How splendid it would be to see a boat 'between you and Prince (Wasp—that is, thePrince Ivan of Muscovy, 1 mean. He is a great 'fencer„ and also desires to be a great friend of mine, He 'would, give something to be sitting here teaching' me how they take hands and bid'eech other goodbye in Biearland. ;They rub noses, I have "heard say; a custom which, to my thinking, would be more provocative than satisfactory. iI like your .Plassenburg fashion better." •Whereat, of course 'there ,was noth- ing'for it 'but that the secretary should arouse himself out of his reverie and do his part. If the Princess of Court- land chose to amuse herself with him, well, it was harmless., On either side— even more so than she knew. 'Soon he would be far away. Meanwhile he must not comport himself like a puking +fool "I think in somewise it 'were possible to improve upon the customs even of Plassenburg," said the Prin- cess Margaret, after certain experi- ments; "but tell me, since you say that we, are to be 'friend's, and'1 have admitted your plea, what is your for- tune? 'Nay, do you know that 'I do not even know your name—at least not from your own lips." !For, headlong as she had proved ro'. be in making love, yet a vein of Baltic practicality was hidden beneath the princess's impetuosity. "My father was the Count von Loen, and !I an'' dais heir!" said the secretary carefully; "hut 'I do not usually call ntyse'lf so, There are reasons why I should not." 'Which there were, indeed—grave reasons, too. "Then you are the Count von Loen?' said the ;Princess. "I seem to have heard that name somewhere be- fore. Tell me, are you the Count von Loen?" "I am certainly the heir to 'that title," said the secretary, grilling with- in and wishing himself a thousand miles away. "I must go directly and tell my brother. He will be back from the cathedral' by this time. 'I ,am ..sure he. did not know. And the estates—a little involved, doubtless, like those of most well -,born folk in these ill days? Are they in your sole right?" • "The estates are extensive. They are all in my own right," explained the newly styled Count with ;perfect truth. But within he was saying, "God help mel II get deeper and deeper, !What a whirling chaos a single lie leads one into! Heaven give me speedy succour out of this!" And as be thought of his troubles, the noble count, the swordsman, the learned secretary, could scarce re- strain a desire to .break out into hysterical sobbing. A new thought seemed to strike the Princess as she was speaking. "But so young, so handsome," she murmured, "so apt a pupil at love!" Then aloud she said, "You are not deceiving me?, You are not already betrothed? "Not to any woman!" said the de- ceitful Count, picking his ,words with exactness. The gay laugh of the Princess rang out prompt as an echo. ' "I did not expect you to be engaged td a man!" she cried. "But now con- duct ane to tie entrance of my chambers" (here she reached hhn her hand). +I like you," she added frankly, looking at him with unflinching eyes. "I ani of the house of Courtland, and we are accustomed to say what, we think—the women of us especially, And sooner than carry out this wretched' contract and marry the Prince 'Wasp, I will do even as I said to my brother, I will run away and wed a dog-whipperl But perhaps 1 may do better than either!" she said in her heart nodding determinedly as she looked at the handsome youth e Y o th 'before e her, who had flow stood with his eyes downcast upon the ground. They were almost out of the yew tree walk, and the voice Of the Prin- cess carried far, like that of most very impulsive persons. It reached the ears of a gay young fashionable, who had just dismounted at thegate which 'led from the rose garden into the wing of the palace inhabited by the Princess Margaret and her suite, "Now," said the +Princess, "I will show you how apt a pupil 'I stake. Tell me whether this is according to, the best traditions of Plassenburg!" And taking his face between her hands she kissed him rapidly upon either cheek and then upon the lips. "There!" she said, "I wonder what my noble brothers would say to that! I will show them that Margaret of Courtland can choose both' whom she will kiss and whom she will marry!"' And flashing away from hili like 'e Ibrightawinged bird she fled upward into her chamber, ,Ttten, somewhat The Rose ,Garden, The rose garden of the summer palace of Courtland was a paradise Made for lovers' whisperings. ,Even now, when the chills of autumn had begun to blow through its bowers, it was over -clambered with late - blooming 'flowers. 'Its bowers were creeper -tangled. Trees met over paths bedded with fallen netals, 'taking a shade in sunshine, a shelter in rain, and delightful in both. at was natural that so fair a Prin- cess, taking such a sudden fancy to a young man, should find her way where 'the shade was deepest and the labyrinth most entangled. ;But this secretary Johann of ours, being creditably hard of heart, .would far rather have hied him straight back to old (Dessauer with his news. More th'an anything he desired to be alone, that he might think over the events of the morning. IBut the ,Princess ;Margaret had quite other intentions. "Do you know,' she began, "that S 'night well have lodged yon in a. dun- geon cell for that which in another had been dire insolence?" They were pacing a long dusky avenue of (all yew -trees, The secre- tary turned towards her the blank look of one whose thoughts are far away. But the Princess rattled oil, heedless of his mood. "Nevertheless, I 'forgive you," she said; "after all, I myself asked you to teach me your foreign customs. If any one be to blame, it is I. But one thing I would impress upon you, sir secretary: do not practise these out- land peculiarities before my brothers. Either of -then, 'night look with pre- judice upon such customs being ob- served -generally throughout the city. I came hack chiefly to warn you. We do not want that handsome head of yours (which S admit is well enough in its way as, being a man, you are donbtles aware) to be taken off and stuck on a pole over the Strasburg Gatel" It was with an effort that the sec- retary detached •himself sufficiently from his reveries upon the interview in the summer palace to understand what the Princes was driving at. "All this mighty pother, just be- cause I kissed her on the cheek," he thought. "A (Princess •of Courtland is no such 'nighty thing—and why should 'I not? -0,h, of course, 1 had forgotten again. I am not now the person I was," IBut how can we tell with what infinite condescension the 'Princess "Your husband would have oc- casion for the exercise of his art, sister minel" said the Prince. "But, indeed, you must not begin by mis- liking the poor young maid that will find .herself so far from home." "Oh," cried the Princess, 'laughing outright, "1 ntistike her not a whit. But there is no reason in the world why, 'because you are all ready to fall down and worship, this young nnan or any other should be compelled to do likewise." And right princess -like she 'looked as ,h eoiited her p e proud title lips and with her foot patted fide polished 'oak.. "But," she .went on again to her `brother, "your poor beast out there hath al'lnnst fretted himself into ri- bands by this time. If you •have drone with this noble youth, I have a Taney to hear hits tell of the countries a herein he has sojourned. And, in addition, I have promised to show him the carp in the ponds. 'You have surely given him a great enough dose of diplomatics and cannon law by this time. You have, it seems' to me, spent half the day in each other's s'ociety," "On the contrary," returned 'the •Prince, smiling again, ;but going to- wards o-w rds the desk to put away the (papers which IDessauer's secretary had brought—"on the contrary, we talked almost solely about women—a subject not uncommon. when man meets man." "But somewhat out of kee!pin.g with the dignity* of your calling, my dazed by thel rapid succession of emotions,' IJohaun the Secretary step- ped out Of .the green ,;gloom of the, yew -tree walk into the 'broad glare of the (September sun and ',found himself, face 'to face with 'Balance 'Wasp. CHAPTER X Prince Wasp. !Now Ivan, 'Prince of aluacovy, had ,business in Courtland very clear and distinct, IHe conk to woo the Prin- cess Margaret, Which being done, he wished to, be gone. There was on his side the certainty of an excellent for- tune, a possible succession, and, in, any case, a pretty and 'wilful' wife. 13ut as the thought "on that 'last the' R\Tasp smiled 'to himself. an Moscow, there were many ways, once he had her there; of taming the most wilful of wives. tAs • to the inheritance—well, it was true that there were two lives be- tween; but one ofthese, in Prince Ivan's mind, was as good as nought, and the 'other— Itt addition, the mar- riage had been arranged by their several fathers, 'hough not under the same 'penalty as that which' threaten- ed the 'Prince of Courtland and.' Joan Duchess of 'Hohenstein, 'Prince 'Wasp had not favorably impressed the family at the palace. His manners had the strident edge and blatant self-assertion of one who, deferred to everywhere, and accustom- ed to ti's own way, in all things. Nevertheless, Ivan had managed to 'rake himself popular with the towns- 'folk, on account of the largesse which ha lavished and the custo'an which his numerous suite brought to the city. Specially, he had been successful . in attaching the rabble of the place to his cause; and already. he had headed off two other wooers who had come from the south to solicit smiles of the Princess Margaret. , "So," he said, as he faced the sec- retary, now somewhat compositely styled—{Johann, Count von Loen, "so, young springald, you think to court a foolish princess. You play upon her with your pretty words and graceful compliments. • 'That is an agreeable relaxation enough. 'It passes time better than fumbling with papers in front of an escritoire. 'Only—you have in addition to reckon with me, Ivan, hereditary Prince of Muscovy." And with a sweep of his hand a- cross 'his body he drew his sword 'from its sheath. The sword of the young secretary came into his hand with equal swift- ness, But he answered nothing. A curious feeling of detachment crept' over hint, IHe had held the bare sword before in presence of an enemy, but never till now unsupported. "I do you the honour to suppose younoble," said Prince Wasp, "other-, wise I should have you flogged by my lacqueys and thrown into the town ditch. I have informed you of my name and pretensions to the hand of the Princess Margaret, whom you have insulted, 1 pray you give me yours in return." "I atn called Johann, Count von Loen," answered the secretary as curtly as possible. "Pardon the doubt which' is in my mind," said the Prince of Muscovy, with a black sneering bitterness char- acteristic of hint, "but though I am well versed in all the noble .families of the north, and especially .in those of Plassenburg, where I resided a full year in the late Prince's time, S am not acquainted with any such (To Be Continued.) PROFESSIONAL CARDS Medical DR. H. HiUIGIH ROISIS, Physician and Surgeon. Late 'of London Hos- pital, London, England, Special attention to ;diseases of tite eye, ear, nose and throat. Office and resi- dence behind Dominion Bank. Office Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 104. 'tsR, F. J. BURROWS, Seaforth. Office and residence, Goderich street, east of the 'United Ohurch. Coroner for the County of Huron. Telephone No, 46, 'DR. C. 'ii dAtCEIAY.—C. Mackay, honor graduate of Trinity University and gold medallist of Trinity Medical College; member of the College of Physicians and ,Surgeons of Ontario. 0, H, Mclnnes Chiropractor Of Wingham, will be at the Commercial Hotel, Seaforth Monday, Wednesday and Friday Afternoons Diseases of all kinds success- fully treated. Electricity used, DR. F. J. R. F(OIRISITER—,Eye, Ear Nose. and Throat, Graduate in Medi- cine, University of Toronto 1'897. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, is1oorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hospi- tals, Loddon, England. At Comm- ercial Hotel, Seaforth, 3'rd Monday in each month, from 11 a.m. to3 p.m. DR. W. C. SIPRO•.AIT,=+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., 7.30+ -9 p.m.' Other hours by appointment. Dental Da. J. A. MUNIN, Successor to Dr. R. R. Ross, graduate of North- western University, Chicago,' Ill. Li- centiate Royal College of Dental Sur- geons, Toronto. Office over Sills' hardware, Main St., Sea'fortlt. 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 185W, residence 185J. Auctioneer. 'GEORGE 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 REID'S REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE 'AGENCY (Sucessors to James Watson) MAIN ST., BEAFORTH; O,NT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE McKII.LOP Mutual Fire Insurance Co. FIAIRM AND IISOUATE'D TOWN PROPERTY, 0 iN.'L Y, INS'UREED 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. Broad'foot, ilo. 3, Sea 'forth; J. M. S'holdice, No: 4, Walton; Robert Ferris, Harlock; George Mc- Cartney, No. 3, Seaforth; Murray Gibson, Brucelfield. Agens-.James Watt, Blyth r.r. No. I, E. Hinchtey, Seaforth; J. A. Murray, r,t, No, 3, Seaforth; J. V. Yeo, Holmesvil•le; R. G. Jartnoutb, 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, igh Class Printing We can give you prompt and satisfactory service. at a moderate price in the following lines of printing:- Letterheads Cards Blotters, Envelopes Tickets Booklets Statements. Sale Bills Business Cards Bill -heads. Dodgers Visiting Cards Private Cheques Menus Wedding Station - Circulars Factory Forms ery Tags Society Stationery Invitations The News has an up-to-date commercial ! i 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 cost. THE lEAFORTH DEW