The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-07

'Suurely she must see the urgency of
quick action in this matter of ours cried
Anguish. half ansrily. I'VE are not dogs to
be kicked out Of the castle. We have a
right to be treated fairly"
eve cannot censure the princess, Harry"
said Lorry, calmly. I'VE have come be-
cause we would befriend her. and she sees
tit to reject our good offices. There is but
one thing left for US to do-depart as we
came
But don't like it little bit" growled
the other.
If you only knew, Mr.. Anguish. you
would not be so harsh and unjust" remon-
strated the lady. warmly. Turning to LOrry
she said: "She asked me TO hand YOU this
and to bid you retain it as token of her
undying esteem.
She handed him "A small exquisite minia-
ture of the princess, framed in gold, inlaid
with rubies. He took it dumbly in his fin
gers, but dared not look at the portrait it
contained. With what might have seemed
disrespect he dropped the treasure into his
coat pocket
Tell her 1 shall always retain it as a
token of her-esteem," ne said. And now
may / ask whether she handed my note to
her uncle, the cOunt?"
The countess blushed in a most unac-
countable manner.
Not while l was with her" she said, re-
covering the presence of mind she appar-
emily had lost
she destroyed it, l presume" said he,
laughing harshly.
Il saw her place it in her bosom. sir, and
with the right hand cried the countess, as
if betraying a state secret.
'In her-you are telling me the truth?"
cried he, his face lighting up.
Now, see here, Lorry, don't begin TO
question the countess's word. / won't stand
for that interposed Anguish, good-humor
eddy.
81 should be more than base to say false
~ that she had done anything so absurd"
said the countess. Indignantly
Where is she MOVE" asked Lorry.
"In her boudoir. The Prince Lorenz is
with her-alone'
WHAT he cried, jealousy darting into
his existence. He had never known jealousy
before.
''They are betrothed." said she, with an
effort. There was a dead silence. broken
by Lorry's deep groan as he turned and
walked blindly to the opposite side of the
ing and stared at it, but did not see line
or tint.
you don't mean to say she has &C
cepted?" half whispered Anguish.
Nothing less
Thank God. you are only a countess"
he said, tenderly.
'Why-why-wha difference can it make
Il mean. why do you say that?" she stam-
mered, crimson to her hair
Because you won't have to sell yourself
at a sacrifice" he said foolishly. Lorry
came back to me at this juncture, outward
ly calm and deliberate.
Tell US about it, pray. We had guessed
| as much
"Out there are his people-the wretches.'
she cried, vindictively, her pretty face in a
helpless frown. To-day was the day, you
know, on which he was To have his an
swer. He came and knelt in the audience
chamber. All Graustark had implored her
to refuse the hated offer, but she bade him
rise. and there. before us all, promised TO
become his bride.
THE greatest sorrow Graustark has ever
known grows out of that decision. She is
| determined to save for us what her fathers
folly lost. To do this she becomes the bride
of vile wretch. a man who soils her pure
nature when he thinks of her. oh, we
sought to dissuade her-we begged, we en-
| treated but without avail. She will not sac
| rifice one foot of Graustark to save herself
| See the triumphant smiles on their faces
the brutes." She pointed maliciously TO the
! chattering visitors in the hall. Already
they think the castle theirs. The union of
Graustark and Axphain, Just what they
most desired, but we could not make her
see it So.
lis the day set?" asked Lorry braveIy
after moments silent inspection of the
/ dark-browed victors.
Yes, and there is to be no delay. The
marriage contract has already been signed.
! The date is Nov. 20, the day on which we
are 10 account to Bolaroz for our war debt
The old princes wedding gift to Graus-
tark is to be a document favoring us with
! a ten years extension she said, scorn-
! fully.
And where is she TO live?"
Here, of course. She is Graustark's ruler
and here she insists on abiding. Just con-
template our court, Overrun with those
Axphain dogs! All, she has wounded Graus-
tark more than she has helped her"
There was nothing more to be said or
done, so. after few moments, the Ameri-
! cans took their departure. The countess
babe them farewell, saying that she must
| return TO the princess.
I'll see you Tomorrow said Anguish
| with rare assurance and the air of an old
and Indispensable friend.
"And you, Mr.. Lorry?" she said, Curl
| ously.
Il am very much occupied he mumbled.
You do wrong in seeking to deceive
me-" she whispered, as Anguish passed
| through the door ahead of them. Il know
why you do not come
| Has she told YOU
| II have guessed. Would that it could
! have been you and not the other.
'One cannot be a and a prince at
the same time, fancy" he said, bitterly.
/ Nor can one be a princess and a
woman"
! Lorry recalled the conversation in the
/ sick room two weeks before and smiled
| ironically. The friendly girl left them at
! the door and they passed out of the castle.
Il shall leave Edelweiss tomorrow, said
/ one, more To himself than 10 his companion,
| as they crossed the parade. The other
! gave a start and did not look pleased. Then
1 he instinctively glanced toward the castle.
THE princess is at her window" ne cried,
| clutchng Lorrys arm and pointing back.
| But the other refused To turn, walking on