The San Francisco call., 1901-12-01
THE EPISODE or THE THRONE
BOOM


ard she had already shown him the
palace OF a queen-the hoyel Of paupei
through the afternpcn not one woId
other than those which might have passet
between good friends escaped the lips OF
either. He was all interest, she all gra-
ciousness. AllOde, the sturdy guard,
swung open the doors; drew the curtain.
and stood aside for them 70 pass. Into
the quiet hall she led hI:la a princess in a
gown OF gray, a courtier in tweeds. In
side the doors he paused.
slocker," he said. She laughed with the
glee OF a child who has charmed and de-
lighted through surprise.
Am / not a feeble mite to sit that
throne and rule all that comes within its
reach?" She directed his attention 10 the
throne at the opposite end OF the hall.
from its seat / calmly instruct gray
haired statesmen, weigh their wisdom and
pass upon & II l were Demosthenes,
challenge the evils that may drive mon
archs mad, and wonder IL my crown is on
straight"
Let me be ambassador from the United
States and kneel at the throne. your High
ness"
II could not engage in a Jest with the
crown my ancestors wore. Mr.. Lorry. II
IS sacred. thou thoughtless American.
Come. We will draw nearer that you may
see the beauty Of the workmanship In
that great old chair
They stood a the base Of the low vel
veted stage on which stood the chair,
with its high back. its massive arms and
legs ashimmer in the light from the lofty
windows 1t was of gild. inlaid with pre-
cious stones-diamonds, rubies, emeraids.
sappnires and other wondrous jewels-a
relic Of ancient Graustark-
II never sit in the center. ALWAYS at
one side or the other. usually leaning my
elbow on the arm. You see, the discus
sions are generally so long and dreary
that ] become fatigued. One time-I am
ashamed to confess i'll went to sleep on
the throne. That was long ago. i man
age TO keep awake very well Of late. Do
you like my throneroom|'
ANA to think that II is yours"'
ut is this room that gives me the right
to be hailed with Long live the Princessn
Not with campaign yells and 'Hurrah for
Yetive" How does that sound? 'Hurrah
for Yetiver" She was laughing merrily
Don't say It! 1t sounds sacrilegious-
For over three years-since was 1S-I
have been supreme in that chair. During
the years of my reign prior to that time
ing beside me. How often i begged him
to SIT down with me, There was so much
room and he certainly must have grown
tired Of standing. One time cried beca use
he frowned at me when ] persisted in the
presence of a great assemblage of mobiles
from Dawsbergen. II seems that Il was
q, most important audience that was
granting, but I thought more of my
uncle's tired old legs. / remember say
ing through my sObs of notification
that / would have him beheaded. You are
created consterna ton or mirth."
What whimsical little princess you
must have been. weeping and pouting and
going to sleep" he laughed. And how
sedate and wise you have become"
THANK you. How very nice you are
/ have felt all along that some one would
discern my effort TO be dignified and Sc
date. They say ] am wise and good and
gracious, but that Is to be expected. They
said that of soyereigns as far back as
the Deluge, I've heard; Would you
really like to see me in that old chair?'
she asked.
'Ah, you are still a woman" he said
smiling at her pretty vanity. Nothing
could Impress me more ~leasantly''
She stepped carelessly and impulsively
upon the royal platform, leaned against
the ann of the throne, and with the
charming blush of consciousness turned
10 him with the quickness OF guilty
conscience, eager TO hear his praise. but
fearful lest he secretly condemned her
conceit. His eyes were burning with the
admiration that knows no defining and