The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-30
XIV.
sBecauSe 4 Love Him.

"Because L Love Him."
The next morning Edelweiss was astir
early. Great throngs of people focked the
streets long before the hour set for the
signing of the decree that was to divide the
north from the south. There were men and
women from the mountains, from the
southern valleys, from the plains to the
north and east. Sullen were the mutterings,
threatening the faces, resentful the hearts
of those who crowded the shops, the public
places and the streets. Before . o'clock the
great concourse of people began to push
toward the castle. Castle avenue was
packed with the moving masses. Thousands
upon thousands of this humbled race gath
cred outside the walls. waiting for news
from the castle with the spark Of hope that
does not die until the very end, nursing the
possibility that something might intervene
at the last moment to save the country
from disgrace and ruin.
y strong guard was required to keep the
mob back from the gates, and the force of
men on the wall had been quadrupled.
Business in the city was suspended. The
whole nation, it seemed, stood before the
walls. awaiting, with bated breath and dis
NAL faces. the announcement that Yetive
had decided to Bolaroz the lands and lives
of half of her subjects. The northern
plainsmen who were so soon to acknowl-
edge Axphain sovereignty. wept and walled
over their unhappy lot. Brothers and sis
tiers from the south cursed and moaned in
sympathy.
Shortly before 9 o'clock, Harry Anguish,
with his guard of six. rode up to the castle.
Captain Dangloss was beside him on his
gray charger. They had scarcely passed
inside the gates when a cavalcade of
mounted men came riding up the avenue
from the Hotel Regengetz. Then the howl
ing. the kissing, the hOoting began. Male
dictions were hurled at the head of AK
phain noblemen as they rode between the
maddened lines of people. They smiled
sardonically in reply TO the impotent signs
of hatred. but they were glad when the
castle gates closed between them and the
vast. despairing crowd. in which the temp
est Of revolt was brewing with unmistak-
able energy.
Prince B~olaroz, the Duke OF Mizrox and
the ministers were already in the castle
and had been there since the previous
afternoon. In the royal palace the excite
ment was intense. but it was of the sub
dued kind that strains the nerves TO the
point where control is martyrdom.
When the attendants went TO the bed
chamber OF the princess at Z o'clock, as
was their wont. they found. to their sur
prise. no one standing guard.
The princess was not in her chamber. nor
had she been there during the night. The
bed was undisturbed. In some alarm the
two women ran TO her parlor, then to the
boudoir. Here they found her asleep on the
divan. attired in the gown she had worn
since the evening before. now crumpled and
creased, the proof positive of a restless,
miserable night.
Her first act after awakening and un-
tangling the meshes in her throbbing. I'M
comprehending brain, was TO send for
ouinnox. She could scarcely wait for his
appearance and the assurance that Lorry
was safely out of danger. The footman who
had been sent 10 fetch the captain was a
long time in returning. She was dressed In
her breakfast gown long before he came
In with the report that the captain was
nowhere TO be found. Her heart gave a
great throb Of joy. She alone could explain
his absence. To her IL meant but one thing
Lorry's flight from the castle Where else
could Quinnox be except with the fugitive.
perhaps once more inside St. Valentines?
With the great load OF suspense off her
mind she cared not for the trials that still
confronted her on that dreaded morning.
She had saved him. and she was willing TO
pay the price.
Preparations began al once for the event
full transaction i'm the throne room The
splendOr Of two courts was 10 shine in
rivalry. Ten o'clock was the hour set for
the meeting Of the two rulers. the victor
and the victim. Her mobiles and her ladies,
her minister's. her guards and her lackeys
moved about I'm the halls. dreading the
hour. brushing against the hated Axphain
guests. In one Of the small waiting rooms
sat the Count and Countess Halfont. the
latter In tears. The young Countess Dag
mar stood at a window with Harry An
Buish. The latter was flushed and nervous
and acted like a man who expects that
which Is unexpected by others. With q
strange confidence in his voice. he sought
10 cheer his depressed friends. but tho
sheerfulness was not contagious. The SOM
oreness Of a burial hung over the castle.
Half an hour before tho time set for the
meeting IN the throne rooh Yetive sent for