The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-29
CHAPTER Nj.
Love in "a Castle.

As the day wore on LOrry grew irritable
and restless. He could not bring himself
into full touch with the situation, notwith-
standing Harrys frequent and graphic rec
objections of incidents that had occurred
and that had led to their present condition.
Their luncheon was served in the count
room, as it was iuadvisable for the in
jured man to go TO the dining hall until he
was stronger. The court physician assured
him that he would be incapacitated for sew
eral DAYS, but that in very short time his
wound would lose the power TO annoy him
in the least. The Count and Countess Hal
font Anguish and others came TO cheer
him and to make his surroundings endur-
able Still he was dissatisfied. even I'M
happy.
The cause of his Uneasiness and depres-
sion was revealed only by the manner in
which il was removed. He was lying
stretched out on the couch. staring from
The window. his head aching, his heart full
at a longing that knows Tut one solace.
Anguish bad gone out in the grounds after
assuring himself that his charge was
asleep. 80 there was TO one in the room
when he awakened from sickening dream
10 shudder alone over its memory. a cool
breeze from an open window famed his
III. trees. turning them into gold and pur-
pie and red and green; quiet repose was
in all that touched him Outwardly; inward
y there was burning turmoil. lie tufned on
his side and curiously felt the bandages
scout his head. They were tight and
smooth. and he knew they were perfectly
white. How lonely those bandages made
him feel, away off there in Graustark!
The door 10 his room opened softly. but
he did not turn, thinking il was Anguish
always Anguish-and not the one he most
desired to
Her highness," announced a maid, and
then:
May L come in?" asked voice that
went 10 his troubled soul like a cooling
draught 70 the fevered throat. He turned
toward her instantly, all the irritation, the
uneasiness, all the loneliness vanishing
like mist before the sun. Behind her was
lady-in-wating.
Il cannot deny the request of prin-
cess" he responded, smiling gaily. He held
forth his hand toward her. half fearing
she would not take it.
The Princess Yetive came straight to his
couch and laid her hand in his. He drew it
10 his lips and then released it lingeringly
She stood before him, looking down with
an anxiety in her eyes that would have re-
paid him had death been there TO claim his
next breath.
Are you better?' she asked. with her
pretty accent. Il have been so troubled
about you"
L thought you had forgotten me-" he
said, with childish petulance
Forgotten yOu!' she cried quick to re-
sent the imputation- Let me tell you. then.
what I have been doing while foreettins
have sent TO the Regengetz for your Ing
gage and your friends. You will find Il
much more comfortable here. You arc -
make this house your home as long as Won
are In Edelweiss. That is how have beor
forgetting"
Forgive me-" he cried, his eyes glesm-
Ing. Il have been so lonely that I mag
tned all sorts Of things. But. your higbness
you must not expect us 10 remain ber,
after 1 am able 10 leave. That would no
imposing"
i will not allow YOU TO say it, she oh
Jected' decisively. You are the guest Of
honor In Graustark. Have YOU not nre-
served It's ruler? Was il an imposition n
risk your life 10 save one in whom Won had
but passing interest. even though she ,vere
poor princess? No. my American this
castle is yours in all rejoicing for had ,-o,,
not come within its doors to-day world
have found II IN mournful terror Resides
Mr.. Anguish has said he Will stay a wear II
We insist"
That's like Harry" laughed Lorry. But
i am afraid you are clarifying two rattle
Drained chaps who should be i'm a home for
inbeciles instead OF in the castle their au
dsciiy might have blighted Our rasbness
u a H.r-
good luck. BY chance it turned out well.
there were ten thousand chances OF ieno-
minious failure. Had we failed. would We
have been guests OF honor? No, We would
have been stoned from Graustark yo,,
don't know how thin the thread was that
held your fate. 10 makes me shudder 10
think OF the crime our act might have beer,
An. had but known you We're the princess
no chances should have been taken. he
said. fervently.