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Show said, "what have you been saying te my husband's daughter?" "I have been wiling her that 1 love her!" answered Ponra.l simply. He felt that what be had listened to gave answered. this woman a right to And what, I pray you, have prlncea of Holy Church to do with love? They seek after heavenly things do neither marry nor are given In map riage. I know, said Conrad humbly, and without taking the least offense. 1 know it well. But 1 have put off the armor I have not proven. The burden Is too great for me. I am a soldier I was trained a soldier yet because I was born after my brother Louis, 1 must perforce become both priest and holy cardinal. Rather a s thousand times would I be a and carry a pike!" Then' am I to understand that as a soldier yon told the Buchess Joan that you loved her, or that as a priest you forbade the banus. Or did you wholly forget the circumstance that once on a time you yourself married her to your brother? I did Indeed forget," said Conrad, with sincere penitence, "yet you must not blame me too sorely. I was cap ried out of myself" The duchess, then, rejected your suit with contumely?" Conrad was silent. How should a great lady listen to her husband's brother and a priest?" I- B Autfor of 'ZfcgctfcAvx&o S R: CROCKETT. 1S, l9v, CHAPTER Theresa Keeps Troth. , But they hod reckoned without by S. K. Crockt-u.- ) stein so long as our son lives. My father's compact and condition are XXVI. The- resa von Lynar. Conrad and Joan back from the ruined fortification, silent mostly, but thrilled with the thoughts of that which their eyes had seen, their ears heard. Each had listened to the beating of the other's heart Both knew they were beloved. Nothing could alter that any more forever. As they had gone out with Theresa watching them from the dusk of the garden arcades, their bands had drawn together. Eyes had sought answering eyes at each dip of the path. They had listened for the finest shades of meaning in one anothers .dees, and takeu courage or lost nope from the droop of an eyelid or the quiver of a syllable. Now all was changed. They knew that which they knew. And now Theresa von Lynar, the woman who had given her beauty and her life like a little Valentine's gift Into the hand of the man she loved, content that he should take or throw away as pleased him best Theresa von Lynar met these two, who in their new glory of rernmclatlon thought that they had plumbed the abysses of love, when as yet they had taken no mure than a single She sounding in the nariow seat. stood looking at them as they came toward her, with a sympathy that was more than mere tolerance. You have faced the sunshine! Thus she greeted them as they came. HSit awhile with me lu the shade. I have here a bower where Maurice loved to play before he left me. None save I hath entered it aince that cam day." It was s small, rustic, eightsided lodge, thatched with heather, lta latticed windows wide open and creeper-grown- , to which Theresa led them. It had been well kept; and when Joan found herself within, a sudden access of U ierness for this lonely mother, who and offered herself like a sacrifice upon an altar, took possession of her. For about the walls was fastened n Homedead childs pitiful armoury. made swords of lath, arrows winged with the cast feathers of the woodland, crooked bowe, the broken crockery of a hundred imagined banquets these, and many more, were carefully-kep- t In place with immediate and lovcare. Maurice would be hack ing again presently, they seemed to say, and would take up his play Just where he left it There was silence in the arbor for a space, a silence which no one of the three was anxious to break. For Joan thought of her promise, Conrad of Joan, gnd Theresa of her son. It was the last who spoke. of no effect. The Diet of the Empire would cancel them In a moment. I will therefore take no rest until thla thing Is made clear. 1 swear that your son shall be Duke Maurice and it In his father's place, as Is right and fitting. For me. 1 ask nothing but the daughter's portion a grange such as this, as solitary and as peaceful, a garden to delve and a beach to wander upon at ere!" As she spoke Theresa's eyes suddenly brightened. A proud high look sat on the fulness of her Ups, which gradually faded as some other thought asserted its supremacy. She rose, and going straight to Joan, for the first time she kissed her on the brow. "Now do I know," she said, "that you are Henry the Lion's daughter. That is spoken as he would have spoken it. It is greatly thought. Yet It cannot be." "It shall be!" cried Joan imperious iy- - Nay returned Theresa von Lynar. "Once on a time I would have given my right hand that for half a day, for one hour, men might have said of me that I was Henry the Icon's 'wife, and my aon his sou! It would hare been right sweet. Ah. God, how sweet it would have been!" She paused a moment as If tiiusuliiiig some unseen presence. "No. I have vowed my vow. Here was I bidden to stay and here will I abide." Maurice of shall sit In his father's seat." said Joan firmly. I have sworn it. If I live I will see him settled there with my captains about him. Werner von Orseln Is an honest mar.. He will do him Justice. Von Dessauer shall get him rerognlz ed, and Hugo of Plassei.lmrg shall stand his sponsor before the Diet or the Empire." I would it eould lie so," snid Theresa wistfully. ' If my death could cause this thing righteously to come to pase, how gladly would I end life! But I am bound by an oath, and my son is bound herons I am bound. The tribunal Is unt the Diet of Ratlsbon, but the faithfnlm-sof a womans heart. Have I bet u loyal to my prince these many years so that now shame alts on my brow us gladly as a crown of bay, that I skouM fail him now? Low he lies, anil I may never stand beside his sepulchre. No sou of mine shall sit In his high chair. But If In any sphere of sinful or imperfect spirits, be It hell or purgatory, be and I shall encounter, think you for an empire 1 would meet him shamed. And when he says. Woman of my love, hast thou ken: thy troth? shall I be compelled to answer No? ihls thing la But, urged .loan, your sons birthright. My father, for purposes of state. b;iud my. happiness to a man 1 luallied. I have cast that bond to the winds. The fathers cannot bind the children; no more can you disinherit your son. Theresa von Iyuur smiled a sad. wise smile, Infinitely patient, infinitely remote. "Ah, site sold. yon think so? You sre you ne. You ave never loved. You are his daughter. not his wife. One day you sha'.i know. If God is good to you! At this Joan smile. ,n her turn. She knew what she knew. "You may think ; m krow, returned Theresa, her calm eyes on the girls face, "hut what I moan by loving Is another matter The band you broke you did nor make. I keep tbe vow I made. With clear eye, undulled brain, willing hand I made it because he wiiled it. I.e: my von Maurice break it. If he mu. If he will as you have broken yours. Only let him sa never more ca von Lynar s I Th---r- home-keepin- lu-ar- y man-at-arm- Hnlu-nstei- "Somehow it is borne in upon me that Kernsberg lias fallen and that my son is In his enemy's hands!" Joan started to her feet, and thrust her hands a little out lu front of her as if to ward off a blow. "How can you know that?" she Who No: It cannot be. cried. Kernsberg was victualled for a year. It was filled with luave men. My captains are staunch. The thing Is impossible. Theresa von Lycar, with her eyes on the waving fo.lage which alternately revealed and eclipsed the ruddy globes of the apples an the orchard trees, slowly shook her heard. I cannot tell you how I know, she said, nevertheless I know. Here Is She laid something which tells me. her hand upon her heart. Those who are long alone beside the sea hear voices and see visions." But It in Impossible. urged Joan, "or. If It be true, why am 1 kept here? I will go and die with my people! mother!" "It In my ion's will. said Theresa Joan rose to depait. Her intent had not been shaken, though she was Impressed by the nobio heart of the woman who had bnan her father's wife. But she also had vowed a vow, and that vow sli would keep. The Sparliawk should yet he the Eagle of g Kernsberg, and alio. Joan, a housewife nested in quietfowl about the orness, a barn-doo- r chards of Isle Rugen. Madam," she said, "your word is your word. But so is that of oan of It may be that out of Kernsberg. the unseen there may leap a chance which shall bring all to pass, the things which we both desire without breaking vows or loosing of the bands of obligation. For me, being no more than a daughter, I will keep Dnke Henry 's will only in that which Is Just! "And I. mhl Theresa von Lynar, "will keep It, just or unjust! Yet Joan smiled as she went out. For she had been countered and checkmated In sacrifice. She had met a nature greater than her own, and with the truly noble that Is the pleasure of pleasures. All the while Conrad sat very still, Kissed it humbly. to that which "the will of the son of Henry the listening with full Lion. He Is like his father there- It did not concern him to interrupt. But within his heart he said, Woman, fore women will do his will!" The words were not spoken bitterly, when she Is true woman, is greater, worthier, fuller than any man ay, bnt as a simple statement of fact. Joan looked at this woman and un- were it the Holy Father himself. Perderstood for the first time that she haps because they draw near Christ was the strongest spirit of all great- the Son through Mary the Mother!' But Theresa von Lynar sat silent, er than her father, better than herself. And perhaps because of thla. and watched the girl as she went nobility and sacriflre stirred emuloun-l- down the long path, the leafy hranchcs spatcring alternate ilght In her own breast. Madam, she said, looking directly and shadow upon her slender figure, at Theresa von Lynar. "it Is time that j Ther. she urm-- sharply upon Con-- ; you and I understood each other. I rad. I mil ' "And nu furdinal. she hold myself no true Duchess of Hohea- to-da- y - It shall not be! cried Joan, imperiously. Theresa went on remorseless. "What said the Lady Joan when you told her that you loved her? The words she spoke I cannot repeat, but when she ended I set my lips to her garment's hem es reverently as ever to holy bread? The slow smile came again over the face of Theresa von Lynar, the smile n veteran who watches of a the children at their drill. You do not need to tell me what site answered, my lord," she said, for the first time leaving out the ecclesiastic title. "I know! Conrad stared at the troman. She told yon that she lovtsd you from the first. How know yon that?" he faltered. "None must hear that secret none must guess it! Theresa von I.ynar litughed a little mellow laugh, In which a keen ear might hare detect ed how richly and pleasantly her laugh must once have sounded to her lover when her pulses boat to the tune of gladness and the unbound heart. "Do you think to deceive me, Theresa. whom Henry the T.ion loved? Have I been these many weeks with ind not seen you two in the lions-this? Prince Conrad. I ktew It that bent her night of the storm when over the couch on which you lay. I love.' you say boldly, and you think great things of your love. But she loved first as she will love most, and your boasted love will never overtake hers no, not though, you lov her all your life. Well, whai do you propose to do? (To be eontiniert.l THE MISSING MAN By MARY R. P. HATCH Author of MTho Bank Tragedy Cmrlibt, INI, hr CHAPTER XVII. Continued. I admire no woman but my wife, dr, and a for my interests and chap acter as Primus Kilos they are of no account to me. any more than tbe shell of a caterpillar is to the buttep fiJ And now lot me toll you some-tblnmy good sir. Constance knows that I am her husband. Has she said so? "Not exactly, but she might as well, and furthermore, she has never believed In this man calling himself by my Lea Mi Shepard made was to go to the mill and demand to see the "man known as Vane Hamilton. Shall you ace him." asked Mr. Cap ter. Yes, it may as well be now as later. Edes entered and confronted the two men. Upheld out his hand to Mr. Carter Who, however, did not appear to see It. "Very well, uncle. You will see your art In its true light some day, aid the former workman with so much dignity that Mr. Carter atared at him. "Oh, come now! Thats all bosh, my man. "Do you think so? asked Edes. looking full In the face of the other man. "I do; but I am willing to hear anything yon have to say in support of your claim, for, I own, I am curious to understand It." "You know all aliout It now. If you did not you would not be sere. But, Victor, my brother. If you realized all, you would not do It, I know. Did you not know you were my brother, my twin brother. I No, I confess I did not," dryly. always supposed tl.at my brother died In infancy. Can you prove that he did not? I prove that he did not! You are that brother and not I. Before our mother died she asked me to search for you two weeks of every year, for she would never believe you dead, all hough every one else did. You were stolen in Infancy. She gave me (lie ring you wear on your finger. In trust for you. The words In trust are engraved on the Inside. "Everybody In Grovedale knows that. Perhaps you will tell me bow this ring came upon my finger If It was delivered Into your keeping. I cannot. I confess It Is a mys-- I terv. It is also a mystery how yon became possessed of my papers. I g, name." Rumors of this sort had come to the ears of the busy doctor as well as concerning the Interest said to exist at one time between Edes and Mrs. Hamilton; but he had not thought much about the matter, believing it gossip with little or no foundation in fact. Bat now he saw, or fancied he saw, entls mistake. This eager-faced- , ergetic man was a far different person than he bad supposed him to be. He was i man clearly cspHble of making and supporting a claim of nature so astounding that. Improbable aa It was, It could not fail to create wide disturbance. If Mrs. Hamilton Joined with him it would be far more serious still, and the results eould only be guessed at, not foreseen. The hint that he had been shot to be got out of the way was, or would he, doubtless, a strong feature In the mans case, and there were complications relating lo the late bank troubles which, no doubt, could be brought to bear upou It likewise. Moreover, the man before him. Dr. Peck considered, might be Ashley himself, who by some strange mistake was believed lo hate died. It was not unlikely. In die light of these astounding claims it wus very probable, he thought. A man such as Ashley was proved to have boon for the story of his adventures was well known in Gmvcdalc was tlie man, If any such eould lie found, to prosecute such a claim like There's method In hU madness, though, and It Is only too evident that Constance believes hla story, said Hairllion. gloomily. 'But, no matter. He will learn that I am not to be trifled wit It. "I don't believe he could get a lawyer in the country to take hie case if he should hlnk of bringing suit. And Mr. Carter was right. The .lulinunt went to nearly every lawyer in Grovedale and the adjoining town of Lincolnshire, but not one would incline his ear favorably to tbe suit It was plain to be seen that they saw neither profit nor favor In it. and more than one advised him to drop the matter at once. That night a letter reached Constance at tbe hotel. Dear Constance I did not mean to address you or ask you for help But what ran I do? No lawyer will undertake my case. They think me poor, without credit, and an Imposter. For your sake, for all our aakes, 1 cannot give up so. You have money. Will you risk it In making plain the mystery which enwraps our lives? 1 would not ask your aid If 1 could hel( It, for I know the act will be misinter preted by others, if not by you. Cac you advise me of anything better? Your husband. VANE HAMILTON. Constance sut a long time la deep thought, and theu. with sudden resolution. dressed herself with exceeding plainness and went out ou to the street, walking in the direction of the office of Moriey ft Stevens. Morley waa the first lawyer in the county, and Stevens was scarcely less disThey- were the first to tinguished. whom Edes had applied. Both members of the firm were, as It chanced, in the office, and both wondered, not a little, at her errand. She did not give them long to specu- late. T called to see you In regard to the rival clalma of two men. each professing to be Vane Hamilton, my hue-banahe said, with much composure and dignity. "Ah! Strange, very strange! Edes came to see us about this claim, but we dismissed him. I am sorry you did. You perceive the case is a very serious one. I could wish that it might be as ably conducted ns it would he to have you and Mr. Sleveua upon one side and Stone ft Ferguson on the other, "You bare doubts, then, I conclude, which Is the rent Vane Hamilton." I have. Even if these doubts were less slight than they are, I should wish for a thorough examination. I will even go so fur as to pledge myself to pay tbe costs. I wish to have everything brought to light, every clr cumstanee weighed, and to do this both sides must be well presented. "Verv true, madam. er Do I understand that . your refusal, Mr. Ye will talk with "Undoubtedly. the person hitherto known aa Edes, and report to you later. Oh, thuhk you. You perceive, I think, that both sides of the matter concern me equally. "Certainly. I had not looked at It In that light, Mrs. Hamilton. Would you object to telling us which in your belief Is your husband, for I perceive you are not certain? (To be continued.) war-wor- HAS FOUND HER LIFE WORK. Syracuse (N. Y.) Woman a Successful Electrical Contractor, One liich- - wo.ii in In Syracuse, N. Y., wasted no ilaie in search for tbe aesthetic when she wp.ntcd a life business. Rose R. Richardson is her name, spinster in her state. She Is the only eicctrieu! contractor in petticoats In the 1'tiiicd States anywhere in the world. i mav be. Her list of customers is large, and she emd ploys a goodi.v force of Miss Richardson enjoys workmen. her work, though It isn't one of the pretty occupations. Tin in the business because I like It, she says. "I was the first operator In Syracuse, and always had a liking for My things relating to electricity. wished me to go into brothepin-lathe contracting business with him and I consented. He died three yearn ago. and since then I have run It alone. Several contractors have tried to get me to take them as partners, but I prefer to have it all to myself. ploy-in-g Some persons hesitate about a woman to do their wuri for them, as they fear she could not makt her workmen nttcnil to their duties, hut I have no trouble that way. 1 alwaya personally inspect all the contracts I hare after the men have finished. In that way I keep up a high Miss Richardson Is still standard. young and is regarded by her acquaintances as one of tbe handsomest women In Syracuse. high-price- : Explained. Agnes Got trox Your friend is an awfully good letter writer. Isnt he? Mabel Nuritch Oh, yes: he used to go to one u( tl.i i' correspondence schools. iT--consld- j? WA8 FREE FROM PREJUDICE. Able to Try Case Against an Indian Fairly. In a northern California town a supposed murder hud been committed. wife of an Indian The had died, as the husband said, from natural causes, uml wus buried without (he usual formalities being first comidiod with. After a lapse of two weeks tin- - body was disinterred by tinauthorities at the instance of a partfi-uluenemy of the accused and marks of violence, as the Informer liad said, were found upon the body. Thi prosecuting attorney was exto ascertain if amining the any of them were prejudiced against Indians. Talesman Taylor was ujsm the stand undergoing a rather stiff cross-exinitial ion. "Uhl an Indian do you or your family any harm at any time?" asked the prosecutor. "No. replied Taylor. Did yon or any of your family ever or trouble with an In have dtun? "So." replied Taylor, "except thac my mother was killed by an Indian." - TJpptneott's. Talesman Enough! You are either mad or this, his adventures evincing a most daring nature and great nerve and determination. Grained he had fled to Grovedale to evade pursuit, disguised himself to appear aa slightly demented and as a common workman, it was not too much to believe of surh a man that he had become infatuated with Mrs. Hamilton and sought, to claim her as his wife, basing his actions on her attitude toward her returned husband and his slight resemblance to the latter. Then, too. the shot fired on Mr. Hamilton's premises might well have been done by his own hand to evidence his own assertion that the deiign was to get rid of him and his claims, which would suggest that Hamilton did it himself. Dr. Peck was no luwyir. nor did he reckon himself particularly astute, but as he sat there facts and deductions evolved themselves with startling force and rapidity, mingling and commingling in the wildest confusion until his brain seemed hurst Ing. Strange how dormant ideas start into being and range themselves side; hv side to do battle for or against a startling assertion. A luminous aiti scented open to his vision, leading straight to the time when Vane Hamilton left, home In the first place, ami he saw clearly the long line of events since then down to Ibis strange declaration just made to bitn. Hack of ft ail was dark mystery. Villainy was there, sorrow could not be far distant. and for every one concerned in th- matter there would he suspense maddening and extreme. Indignation arose In his heart toward the man before him. It In an Instant too deep for expression. anJ he arose without speaking another word and left the house. CHAPTER XVIII. Marvelous! Marvelous!" In a week's time the man known as Prlmua Edes was up and about and professed himself well. He said little about his wound but it was well known that he had said once be knew no'Mng about It In any way. it havhis ing occurred before lie aenss of Identity. Almost the Mrs i tuuv that Edes I j . ' ' ! think am! I can much easier account for your resemblance, for wo are twin brothers. I deny it. I deny that there was any reason for such a search, or that my mother believed Iter child to be alive. Yoitr statements affect me very little, nor will they any ore else. Still, 1 must warn you that when you accuse me of weuring a ring and possessing papers that belong to you, you tire making a serious charge. Your other claims are too absurd to be noticed. Of course, 1 am now speaking of Mrs. Hamilton. "If I were not convinced that, you were my brother I should say. Do not dure to take that name between tour lips. " The two men were deadly pale now and their eyes glittered with excitement. Mr. Carter seriously apprehended trouble. Ilitl he need not have feared. Each waa too inueh engaged in the effort to maintain calmness to have a thought of harming the other. "I think there Is no use in talking any more aliout this matter, Mr. Edes," said Hamilton. Dont call nte Edes. l will noi ileny your name is Hamilton, for I truly think it is. I believe you arc Victor. I cannot doubt It. Tln-n- , in 'ho name of brotlii-rhood- , of our mother's memory, drop this aillrg, Ihcxe monsnoiis claims. I will overlook them all, everything, for her sake," aud he held out Ids hand, tint the other s'pppcd coldly back and said: You nr.- oi'liev mail, nr "Enough! you think I atn. 1 r fuse to bear another word. I am not you.- - bro'hi-r- . I know nothing about you. Non these inquiries. me, and do not rojw-aI warn you." I will leave you. but not in quiet possession of wha:. does no' belong to you. Recollect that. I shall no' charge you with attempted murder, for I hope and trust you ure not responsible for the shot. It restored me to reason. But I slmll regain my property. my family, and my name," and without another word or look at half-bree- - r lult-snit-- Too Much for Capt. Winslow. years since Seaman .lack which Markin of the old Keyrs-irgcwas lying o IT Cliarlestowu after a long cruise. wtis brought Capt. Win lmur-slow ns an absentee of The captain, in admonishing him. saiil: "Mat-kin- . don't you know you are a Bonn- i'her. Kilos left "He Is as Carter. tin- - era) :- i- mi mi. a limn," said Mr. - , i fool, - t d sir?" "Yes, air, replied the sailor, an-the world is fu.l of them, hul being so loiiz at sou I was taken with grow it:g pains ou shore in good company, ami If this had any oilier kil l'd a in ver come back again utre-- s you were riipiuir. o her. sir." Jack got a chance to he g.xid na il shore leave came around again. -- . ! For Welsh Rabbits. lie recruit from green turf and had secured his wus a Ire-laud'- s first position In n grocery store. One day a customer approached th- new cletk and Inquired for some crum bled store cheese for a Welsh rabble After supplying the customer with the desired cheese Pat Inquired, "And. sure. Is that pbwat yer feed them on? Llnplneott'a Magazine. |
