The San Francisco call., 1901-12-29

more inside st. Valentines? With the
great load of suspense off her mind she
cared not for the trial that still confront
ed her on that dreaded morning. She
had saved him and she was willing to
pay the price.
Preparations began at once for the
eventful transaction in the throne room.
The splendor of two courts was to shine
in rivalry. Ten o'clock was the hour set
for the meeting of the two rulers, the
victor and the victim. Her mobiles and
her ladies, her minister's her guards and
her laekeys moved about in the halls,
dreading the hour, brushing against the
hated Axphain guests. In one of the
small waiting-rooms sat the Count and
Countess Halfont, the latter in tears.
The young Countess Dagmar stood at a
window with Harry Anguish. The latter
was flushed and nervous and acted like
a man who expects that which is unex-
pected by others. With a strange con-
fidence in his voice he sought 10 cheer
his depressed friends but the cheerful
ness was not contagious. The somberness
of burial hung over the castle:
Half hour before the time set for
the meeting in the throne room Yetive
sent for her uncle, her aunt and Dagmar.
AS Anguish and the latter followed the
girl turned her sad, puzzled eyes up to the
face of the tall American and asked:
Are you rejoicing over our misfortune?
You do not show particle of regret. Do
you forget that we are sacrificing a great
deal to save the life of your friend? I do
not understand how you can be so heart
less"
'If you knew what 1 know you'd jump
so high you could crack those pretty heels
of yours together ten times before you
touched the floor again" said he, warmly.
"Please tell me, she cried. 81 knew
there was something"
But I am afraid so high a jump would
upset you for the day. You must wait
awhile, Dagmar." 1t was the first time
he had called her Dagmar, and she looked
startled.
81 am not used to waiting" she said,
confusedly.
"I think [ can explain satisfactorily
when 1 have more time" he said, softly,
in her ear, and although she tried she
could find no words to continue
He left her at the head of the stairs and
did not see her again until she passed him
in the throne room. Then she was pale
and brave and trembling.
Prince Bolaroz and his mobiles stood to
the right of the throne the GraustarIt
men and women of degree to the left,
while near the door on both sides were to
be seen the leading military men of both
principalities. Near the Duke of Mizrox
was stationed the figure of Gabriel,
Prince of Dawsbergen. He had come with
a half-dozen followers among a crowd of
unsuspecting Axphainians. and had taken
his position near the throne. Anguish en-
tered with Baron DangIoss and they
stood together near the doorway, the lat
ter whittier than he had ever been in his
life.
Then came the hush of expectancy. The
doors swung open, the curtains parted
and the Princess entered.
She was supported by the arm of her
tall uncle, Caspar of Halfont. Pages car
ried the train of her dress, a jeweled gown
of black AS she advanced to the throne,
calm and stately, those assembled bent
knee to the fairest woman the eye ever
had looked upon.
The calm, proud exterior hid the most
unhappy of hearts. The resolute courage
with which her spirit had been braced
for the occasion was remarkable in more
ways than one. Among other inspira-
tions behind the valiant show was the
bravery of guilty conscience. Her
composure sustained a shock when she
passed Abode at the door, That faithful.
heart-broken servitor looked at her face
with pleading, horror-struck eyes as much
as to say: Good God, are you going to
destroy Graustark for the sake of that
murderer? Have pity on us-have pityT'
Before taking her seat on the throne.
she swept the thrilled assemblage with
her wide blue eyes. There were shadows
beneath them and there were wells of
tears behind them. AS she looked upon
the little knot of white-faced northern
barons, her knees trembIed and her heart
gave a great throb of pity. Still the face
was resolute Then she saw Anguish and
the suffering Dangloss; then the accus-
ing, merciless eyes of Gabriel. At sight
of MIN she started violently and an icy
fear crept into her soul. Instinctively
she searched the gorgeous company for
the captain of the guard. Her staunchest
ally was not there. Was she to hear the
condemning words alone? Would the peo-
pie do as QuinnoX had prophesed, or
would they believe Gabriel and curse her?
She sank into the great chair and sat
with staring, helpless eyes, deserted and
feeble.
At last the whirling brain ended it's
flight and settled down to the issue at