The San Francisco call., 1901-11-24

drawn, his figure suggesting the famous
picture OF the stag at bay.
Willingly, your Excellency, since IL Is
olstasteful to you. 1 hope, however, you
VIII permit me to ask how much you are
short of the amount" said Lorry, con-
sioerately, yet curiously.
Our Minister of Finance, Gaspon. will
be able to produce fifteen million zavvos
at the stated time-far from enough. This
amount has been sucked from the people
by excessive levy. and has been hoard
ca Tor the dreaded day. Try as we would,
IL mas been impossible to raise the full
amount. The people have been bled and
nave responded nobly, sacrificing every
thing to meet the treaty terms honorably.
Dut the strain has been too great Our
army mas cost us large sums We have
strengthened our delenses, and could.
should we go to war, defeat Axphain. But
We nave our treaty to honor; we could
not take up arms to cdve ourselves from
that honest bond. Our levies have barely
brought the amount necessary to main
tain an army large enough to inspire re-
spect among those who are ready to leap
upon us the instant we show the least
sign of distress. There are about us DOW
ers that have held alcof from war with
US simply because wo have awed them
with our show Of force. 1t has been our
eafeguard, and there is not a citizen of
which our state affairs are conducted
They know that our army is an economy
at any price. Until last spring we were
confident that we could raise the full
amount due Asphain, but the people In
the rural districts were unable to meet
the levtes on account of the panic that
came at most unfortunate time. That
Is why we were hurrying home from your
country, Mr.. Lorry. Gaspon had cabled
the Princess that affairs were in a hope
less condition, begging her to come home
and do what she could in a final appeal
to the people, knowing the love they had
for her. She came, and has seen these
loyal subjects offer their lives for her and
Tor GrauStark, but utterly unable to give
what they have not-money. She asked
them IT she should disDdnd the army and
there was a negative vail from one end
Of the land to the other. Then the army
agreed to serve on half-pay until all was
tided over Public officers are giving
their services free, and many of our
wealthy people have advanced loans on
bonds, worthless as they may seem, and
still we have not the required amount"
Cannot the loan be extended a few
years?" asked Lorry, angry with the ruler
in the north, taking the woes Of Grau-
stark as much to heart as if they were
his own.
mot one day! Not in London. Paris
Lorry lay back and allowed Anguish to
lead the conversation into other channels.
The Count remained fer a half-hour, say
ing he left that the Princess and his
wife had expressed desire to be remem-
bered to their guests.
"The Princess has spent the evening
with the Ministers OF Finance and War.
and Ter poor head, doubt not, is rack
ing from the effects of the consultation.
These are weighty matters for girl to
have on her hands, sclennly stated the
Count, pausng for an instant at the door
of the apartment.
After he had closed it the Americans
looked long and thoughtfully at each
other, each feeling respect for the grim
old gentleman that they had never felt
for man before.
$50 they are in devil Of a shape"
unused Anguish. ct tell you, Gren, never
knew anything that made me feel so bad
ly as does the trouble that hangs over
that girl and her people. A week ago 1
wouldn't have cared rap for Graustark.
but tonight 1 feel like weeping for her"
There seems to be no help for her,
either" said Lorry, ref1ectively.
'Graustark, you mean?
''No-I mean yes, of course-who else?"
demanded the other. who certainly had
not meant Graustark
"I believe, confound your selfish soul,
you'd like to see the nation. the crown
and everything else taken away from this
helpless, harassed child Then you'd
have chance" exclaimed Anguish, pac-
ing the floor, half angrily, half encourag-
ingly.
Don't say that, Harry, don't say that.
Don't accuse me of it, for I'll confess I
had in my heart that meanest of longings
the selfish, base, heartless hope that you
have guessed. 1t hurts me to be accused
of 1t though, so don't do it again. old
man. I'll put away the miserable hope, if
can, and I'll pray God that she may find
a way out of the difficulty"
They went to sleep that night, Anguish
at once, Lorry not for hours, harboring
a determination to learn more about the
condition of affairs touching the people
of Graustark and the heart of their Prin-
cess.