The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-05

her hand, and tranqilly surveyed the voice
less American prince.
You have not said, Thank YOU. -" she
said, finally. her eyes wavering beneath his
steady gaze.
Il am only thinking how easy it would
be to cross the gulf that lies between us.
With two movements of my body 1 can
place it before you, with a third L can be
sitting at your side. 1t is not so difficult
after ALL he said, hungrily cycling the
broad chair.
mo man, unless a prince, ever sat upon
this throne" she said.
You have called me a prince"
ooh, L jested," she cried quickly, compre-
hending his intention. 81 forbid you,''
Her command came too late, for he was
beside her on the throne of Graustark! She
sat perfectly rigid for a moment, intense
fear I'm her eyes.
do you know what you have done?" she
whispered, miserably.
"Usurped the throne" he replied, assum-
ing ease and complacence he did not
feel. Truly he was guilty of unprecedented
presumption
You have ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS! DO
hear?" she went Oh, paying no attention to
his remark.
''Peccavi, All, your Majesty, 1 delight in
my sin. For once 1 am d power; L speak
from the throne. You will not have me alb
dictate in the zenith Of my glory? Be kind,
most gracious one. Besides, did you not
once cry because your uncle refused to sit
with you? Had he been the possessor of "A
dangerous wound, as l am, and had he
found himself so weak that he could stand
no longer, 1 am sure he would have done
as 1 have-sat down in preference to falling
limp at your feet. You do not know how
badly am wounded" he pleaded, with the
subtlest double meaning.
why should you wound me?" she asked,
plaintively. You have no right to treat the
throne 1 occupy as subject for pranks and
indignities. L did not believe you could be
so-forgetful." There was a proud and pitt
full resentment in her voice that brought
him TO his senses at once. He had defiled
her throne. In shame and humiliation he
cried:
Il am fool-an migrate! You have been
too gentle with me. For this despicabIe act
of mine / cannot ask pardon and it would
be beneath you to grant it. have hurt YOU.
and can never atone. 1 forgot how sacred
is your throne. Let me depart in disgrace"
he had stained. but she, swayed by a COM
plete reversal of feeling, timidly, pleading
~ touched his arm.
stay, 1t is my throne after all. 7 shall
divide it. as we'll as the sin, with YOU. Sit
down again, beg of you. For brief spell
l would rule beside man who is fit to be
KING, but who is a desecrator. There can
be no harm and no one shall be the wiser
FOR -
custom. We are children, anyhow-mere
children"
With an exclamation of delight. he re-
sumed his position beside her. His hand
trembled as he took up hers to carry If to
his lips. we are children-playing with
fire. he murmured, this migrate. this fool,
She allowed her hand TO lie Imply i'm his.
her head sinking to the back of the chair.
When her hand was near his feverish Inns.
cool and white and trusting he checked
the upward progress Slowly he raised his
eyes TO study her face, finding that hers
were closed, the semblance of a smile
touching her lips as if they were in a hapnv
dream.
The lips! The lips. The lips. The madness
of love rushed into his heart; the expectant
hand was forgotten; his every hope and
every desire measured themselves against
his discretion as he looked upon the tempt
ing face Could he kiss those Inns but once
his life would be complete.
With a start she opened her eyes. doubt
less at the command of the masterful ones
above. The eyes of blue met the ewes Of
gray i'm a short, sharp struggle and the
blue went down in surrender His Inns fri
umphed slowly, craving closer and closer
as If restrained and impelled by the same
emotion-arrOgant love.
open your eyes. darling" he whispered.
and she obeyed Then their lips met-her
first kiss of love,
She trembled from head TO foot, perfectly
powerless beneath the spell. Again he
kissed a princess on her throne. AT this
second kiss her eyes grew wide with terror.
and she sprang from his side. standing be-
fore him like one bereft of reason.
''Oh. my God! What have you done?" she
walled. He staggered TO his feet. dizzy with
joy.
'Har' cried a gruff voice from the door
way, and the guilty ones whir!ed to look
upon the witness 10 their blssful crime
Inside the curtains. with carbine leveled at
the head OF the American. stood Abode, the
guard. his face distorted by rage. The
princess screamed and leaped between Lor-
~ and the threatening carbine.
'Allode." she cried. in frantic terror.
lie angriy cried out something i'm his ma
tive tongue, and she breathlessly. impIor-
ingly replied. Lorry did not understand
their words, but he knew that she had
saved him from death at the hand Of her
loyal, erring guard. Abode lowered his gun.
bowed low and turned his back upon the
throne.
'He-he would have killed YOU" she said.
TREMENDOUSLY, her lace the picture OF com
bined agony and relief. She remembered
the biighting kisses and then the averted
disaster
''You-what did you say to him?" he
asked.