The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-07

You would not leave us-you would not
throw aside as despised the crown your an
cestors wore for centuries ?'' cried Gaspon.
Are you mad, Yetive?'
The others were staring with open
mouths and icy hearts.
Yes, as much as it would grieve me, 1
would do all this she answered firmly,
not daring TO look at her uncle. She knew
his eyes were upon her and that condemna-
tion lurked in their depths. Her heart
ached to turn TO him with a prayer for for
giveness, but there could be no faltering
now.
Il ask you, my lords, to acknowledge the
marriage of your ruler to Grenfall Lorry.
J am To be his wife; but L entreat you to
grant me happiness without making me en-
dure the misery that will come to me if [
desert my fathers throne and the people
VINO have worshiped me and 10 whom i am
bound by a tie that cannot be broken. 1 do
not plead so much for the right to rule as
l 40 for the one who may rule after 1 am
gone. | want my own to follow me on the
throne of Graustark."
Then followed a long, minated discus
sion growing brighter and more hopeful as
the speakers willing hearts warmed to the
proposition. Lorry was a favorite, but he
could not be their prince. Hereditary law
prohibited. still his children, if God gave
him children, might be declared rightful
heirs TO the throne of their mother. the
princess, The more they talked, the more
the problem seemed to solve itself. Many
times the princess and her wise men met
and overcame obstacles, huge at first. min
imised in the end, all because they loved
her and she loved them. The departure
from traditionary custom, as suggested by
the princess-coupled with the threat to alb
dicate-was the w~eightiest, yet the most
delicate question that had ever come before
the chief men of Graustark. 1t meant the
beginning of q new line of princes. new
life, new blood, a complete transformation
OF order as it had come down through the
reigns of many Ganlooks. For the first
time in the history of the country a wom-
an was sovereign; for the first time there
had been no direct male heir To the throne.
With the death of old Prince Ganlook the
masculine side of the illustrious family
ended. No matter whom his daughter took
for a husband, the line was broken. Why
not the bold, progressive. rich American?
argued some. Others fell in with the views
of the few who first surrendered to the will
- ANNANNf III 81 AdSk Jul Ollt remained IN
opposition. Count Caspar held out until all
were against him, giving way finally in a
burst of oratory which ended in tears and
sobs and which made the sense of the
gathering unanimous.
The Princess Yetive Won the day. SO far
as her own position was concerned. But.
there was Lorry TO be considered.
Mr.. Lorry knows that l called YOU to-
cotlor n, anpcrtltoffo, hut r. a. .
know that l would have given up my
crown for him. I dared not tell him that.
He knows only that was to ask your adj
vice on the question of marriage, and that
alone. Last night he told me he was conf
Gent you would agree TO the union. He is
an American. and does not appreciate the
difficulties attending such an espousal.
over there distinction exists only i'm wealth
aud intellisence-position. 1 believe they
call it. brt not such as ours. He is Il
strange man, and We have yet TO consult
him as TO the arrangement she said To
ner lords. pursuing her lips. Il fear he Will
object to the plan We have agreed upon.
she went OF. lie is sensitive. and it is
possible he will not like the idea of putting
our marriage TO the popular vote Of the
people
"N"H'H AARN III AfNNlA' w ANAA~
sidered in the matter" said Gaspon. IN
three months time the whole nation can
say whether il sanctions the revision OF
our laws Of heredity. 1t would not be right
or Just for Us to say who shall be their
future rulers. for all time to come. without
consulting them.
Il have no h%esitancy in saying that
Granstark already idolizes this brave
American said Halfont. warmly. "He has
won her affection. II the question Is placed
before the people tomorrow in proper
form. / will vouch FOR il that the whole
nation will rise aid cry: Long live the
princess LONG live the prince consortr"
Coin back. 1 see. said sticky. the
guard. some months later. addressing a
: very busy young man. who was h~urryinE