The San Francisco call., 1901-12-29
ISSs.E5. 4 u. I'D

H., 1
castle!"
He is madT' gasped Bolaroz, the first
Of tine stunned spectators to find his
tongue
There was a cOmmotion near the door.
Voices We're heard outside.
''YOu have been dUped!'' insisted Ca
briel, taking several steps toward the
throne. your idol is a traitress. a de-
ceive-! I say he is here! She has seen
him. Let her sign that decree if she
dares. I command you, Yctfve of Grau-
stark, to produce this criminalr'
The impulse to crush the dehler was
checked by the sudden appearance of two
men il side the curtains
''FIe is hereI' cried a strong voice and
Lorry, breathless and haggard, pushed
through the astCnished crowd, followed
by Captain QuinnOX, upon whose CHASTITY
face there were bIoodstains-
A shout went up from those assembled,
a shout of joy. The faces of DangIoss
and Abode were pictures of astonfsb-
ment and-it must be said-relief. Harry
Anguish staggered, but recovered him
self Instantly, and turned his eyes to-
ward Gabriel. That worthy's legs trem-
bled and his jaw dropped.
Il have the prisoner, your Majesty
said QUinnOx, in hOarse. discordant tones.
He stood before the throne with his cap
tive, but dared not look his mis-
.tress i'm the face. As they stood
there the story of the night Just
passed was told by the condition of the
two men. There had been struggle for
supremacy in the dungeon and the pris-
oner had won. The one had tried to hold
the other to the dungeons safety after
his refusal to leave the castle. and the
other had fought his way to the halls
above. 1t was then that QuinnOx had wit
enough to change front and drag his
prisoner to the place which, most of all,
he had wished to avoid
1.-THE prisoner shouted the northern
mobiles, and in an instant the solemn
throne room was wild with excitement
DO not sign that decreeT' cried sons
one from a far corner
Here is your man, Prince Bolaroz!'
cried a Baron.
"Quinnox has saved usT' shouted an
other
The Princess. white as death and as
motionless, sat bolt upright in her royal
seat
OH she moaned piteousIy, and,
clenching her hands, she carried them
to her eyes if to shut out the sight
The Countess HalfOnt and Dagmar ran
to her side the latter frantic with alarm.
She knew more than the others
Are you the fugitive?'' cried Bolaroz.
Il am Grenfan Lorry- Are you Bo-
Iaroz?"
THE father Of the man you murdered
All this is raptureT'
Il have only to say to you. Prince. I
did not kill your SON swear it, so help
me GOdr'
Your Highness," cried BoIaroz. STEM
ping to the throne, destroy that decree
This brave soldier has saved CSraustsrIS
In an hour your Ministers and mine will
have drawn up ten years extension Of
time, in proper form, to which nv sig
nature shall be gladly attached / have
not forgotten my promise"
Xetive Strengthened suddenly seized the
pen and flercely began to sign the decree.
in spite of all and before those about her
fairly realized her intention Lorry un-
derstOOd, and was the first to snatch the
document from her hands. A half-vrft-
ten Ietive, blot and a long. splUttering
scratch of the pen told how near she had
come to signing away the lands of Grau-
stark torge1ul of the fact that it could
be of no benefit to the prisoner she loved.
"Ietve! gasped her uncle, i'm horror.
'She would have signedp' cried Gaspon.
in wonder and alarm.
Yes, L would have signed!' she ex-
claimed. starting to her feet, strong
and defiant. ct could not have saved
his lie perhaps. but I might have
saved him from the cruel injustice
that that mans vengeance would have in
vented. He is innocent, and I would give
my kingdom to stay the wrong that Will
be done"
What You defend the dogr' cried
Bolaroz- "Seize him. men! I will see that
Justice is done. 1t is no girl he has to deal
with now"
Stop cried the Princess. the command
checking the men. QUinnox Ieaped in front
OF his charge HE is my prisoner, and he
shalI nave justice. Keep back your SOL
dlery, Prince BOlarOz. 1t is a girl you have
to deal with. L will say to YOU all nv
DeODle and Yours that baI7ov-a t,4-,
be innocent and that sincerely regret his
capture, fortunate as it may be for us. He
shall have a fair and a just trial, and I
shall do all in my power, Prince Bolaros,
to secure his acquittal.'
why do you take this stand. YetfveP
Why have you tried to shield him?" cried
the heart-brOken HalfOnt.
She drew herself to her full height and,
sweeping the threatening crowd with a
challenge in her eyes, cried, the tones
ringing strong and clear above the grow
ing tumult:
Because I love him.
As if by magic the room became sud
denly still.
Behold an honest man. I would have
saved him at the cost Of my honor. Scorn
me If you will, but listen to this The man
who stands here accused came voluntarily
to this castle, surrendering himself to
Captain QutnnOX, that he might though
innocent, stand between US and disaster.
He was safe from our pursuit, yet re-
turned, perhaps to his death. For me. for
you and for Graustark he has done this.
Is there man among you who would
nave done as much for his own country?
Yet he does this for a country to which
he is stranger. I must commit him to
prison once more. But" she cried in sud
den herceness, Il promise him now, before
the trial, royal pardon. Do I make nv
meaning clear to you, Prince Bolaroz?'
The white lips of the old Prince could
frame no reply to this daring speech.
BE careful what you say, your High-
ness, cried the prisoner, hastily. 'I must
refuse to accept pardon at the cost OF
your honor. 1t is because love you bet
ter than my life that L stand here. can
not allow you and your people to suffer
When 1t IS IN my power to prevent it. All
that / can ask is fairness and Justice. I
am not guilty, and God Will protect me.
Prince Bolaroz, I call upon YOU to keen
.wn~Trr