The San Francisco call., 1901-12-22


were bright; her smile was quick and
merry; her wit unclouded. Receptions,
drawing-rooms and state functions found
her always vivacious much so that her
court wondered not little. Daily reports
brought no news of the fugitive, but while
others were beginning to acquire the hag-
gard air of worry and uncertainty she
was calmly resigned. The 18th, the lon,
the 18th, the 18th and now the 18th of No
vember came and still the Princess re
vealed no marked sign of distress. Could
they have seen her in the privacy of her
chamber on those dreary, maddenin@
nights they would not have known their
sovereign.
Heavy-hearted and with bowed heads
the people of Graustark saw the 18th face
in the night the breaking of which would
bring the crush of pride, the end of power.
at court there was the silent dread anu
the dying hope that relief might come at
the last hour. Men, with pale faces and
fearful eyes, wandered through the an
cient castle, speechless, nerveless, miser-
able. Brave soldiers crept about, ShorI1
Of pride and filled with woe. Citizens sat
and stared aimlessly for hours, thinking
of naught but the disaster so near at hand
and unavoidable. The whole nation
surged as if in the last throes of death.
Tomorrow the potency of Graustark wGs
to die, its domain was to be cleft in twain
-disgraced before the world.
And, on the throne of this afflicted land
sat the girl, proud, tender, courageous
Yetive. To all Graustark she was it9
greatest, its most devoted sufferer; upon
her the blow fell heaviest. There she sat,
merciful and merciless, her slim white
hand ready to sign the shameful deed IN
transfer, ready to sell her kingdom for
her love. Beneath her throne, beneath
her feet. covered six souls, possessors of
he al he n
they alone knew the heart of the Prin-
cess Yetive, they alone felt with her .he
weight of the sacrifice With wistful
eyes, fainting hearts and voiceless Ups
five of them watched the day approach,
knowing that she would not speak and
that Graustark was doomed Loyal con-
spirators against that which they loved
better than their lives-their country
were Dangloss, Quinnox, Abode, Ogbot
and Dagmar. Tomorrow would see the
north torn from the south, the division of
families, the rending of homes, the burst
ing of hearts. She sanctioned all this be-
cause she loved him and because he had
done no wrong.
Aware of her financial troubles and pur-
suing the advantage that his rivals death
had opened to. him, Prince Gabriel of
Dawsbergen renewed his ardent suit.
Scarce had the body of the murdered
Prince left the domain before he made his
presence remarked. She was compelled
to receive his visits, distasteful as they
were, but she would not hear his propo-
sitions. Knowing that he was in truth
the mysterious Michael who had planned
her abduction, she feared and despised
him, yet dared make no public denuncia-
ton. AS Dawsber6en was too powerful
to be antagoniZed at this critical time,
she was constantly forced to submit to
the most trying and repuIsive ordeals-
Tact and policy were required to control
the violent hot-blooded young ruler from
the south At times she despaired and
longed for the quiet of the tomb; at other
times she consumed by the fires of
resentment, rebelling against the ignom-
my to which she was subjected. Worse
than all to her were the insolent overtures
of Gabriel The tears of humiliation shed
a1ter his departure on the occasion of
each visit revealed the bitterness that
was torturing this proud martyr.
He had come at once to renew his offer
of a loan, knowing her helplessness. Day
after day he haunted the castle, persist
ent in his efforts to induce her TO accept
his proposition. So fierce was his pas
sion, so implacable his desire, that he
went among the people of Edelweiss, pre-
senting to them his proposal, hoping
thereby to aod pubic feeling to his claims.
He tried to organize a committee of ctti-
petition tnat his offer be accepted and the
country saved. But Graustark was loyal
to its Princess. Not one of her citizens
listened to the willy Prince, and more
than one told him or his emissaries that
the loss of the whole kingdom was prefer
able TO the marriage he desired. the city
sickened at the thought
His last and masIer-stroke in the
struggle to persuade came on the af-
nj ar III bor
all Edelweiss was in gloom and
when the Princess was taxed to the
point where the mask of courage was so
trail that she could scare hide her bleed
ing soul behind it,.
Bolaroz of Axphain, to quote from the
news dispatch, was in Edelweiss, a guest
with a few of his lords, in the castle.
North of the city were encamped five
thousand men. He had come prepared to
cancel the little obligation of fifteen years
standing. With the hated creditor in the
castle, his influence lowering above the
town, the populace distracted by the
thoughts of the day to come, Gabriel
played what he considered his best card
He asked for and obtained final inter-
view with Yetive, not in her boudoir or
her reception-room, but in the throne
room, where she was to meet Bolaroz in
the morning.
The Princess seated on her throne
awaited the approach of the resourcefub
tenacious suiIor. He came and behind
him strode eight stalwart men, bearing
long iron-bound chest, the result, of his
efforts with his bankers. Yetive and her
mobiles looked in surprise Oh this unusual
performance. Dropping to his knee before
the throne, Gabriel said. his voice
trembling slightly with eagerness and
fear:
Your Highness, tomorrow will the
turning point in the history of two, pos
sibly three, misunderstanding Axphain
and Dawsbergen. L have included my
own land because it's ruler is most vitally
interested. He would serve and save
Graustark, as you know, and he would
satisfy Axphain 1t is in my power to
give you aid at this last, trying hour, and
1 implore you to listen to my words of sim
cerest friendship-yes, alteration. To-mor-
row you are to pay to Prince Bolaroz over
twenty-five million gavvos or relinquish
the entire north half of your domain.
understand the lamentable situation. You
can raise no more than fifteen million
and you are helpless He will grant no ex-
tension of time. You know what l have