Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-07-21
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE EPISODE OF THE THRoNERooM.
"/R(HIS is the throneroom. Allode!'
The Princess Yetiye paused

/ est, she all SFaclOuSneSS. AIlOue, the
sturdy guard, swung open the doors.
drew the curtain and stood aside for
them to pass. Into the quiet hall she
led him, princess In a gown of gray,
a courtier in tweeds. Inside the doors
he paused.
"Anl thought you were Miss Gug-
| genslockes,' he said. She laughed with
the glee Of a child who has charmed
and delighted through surprise.
"Am not a feeble mite to sit on
that throne and rule all that comes
within its reach?'' She directed his
attention to the throne at the opposite
end Of the hall. "From its seat i calm.
ly instruct gray haired statesmen,
/ weigh their wisdom and pass upon 1t
as II were Demosthenes, challenge
the evils that may drive monarchs
straight"
"Let me be ambassador from the
1 United States and kneel at the throne,
| your highness.''
| Il could not engage In Jest with the
crown my ancestors wore, Mr.. Lorry.
It is sacred, thou thoughtless Amer:
lean. Come, We will draw nearer that
1 you may see the beauty of the work
mnnship In that great old chair
They stood at the base of the low,
velveted stage on which stood the chair,
with its high back, its massive arms
and legs a-shimmer in the light from
the lofty windows. 1t was Of gold, in
laid with precious stones-diamonds,
rubies, emeralds, sapphires and other
Wla0sndroAls Jewels a relic OF ancient
Graustark.
4 II never sit In the center. Always at
one side or the other, usually leaning
my elbow on the arm. You see, the
discussions are generally SO long and
dreary that become fatigued. One
time-I am ashamed to confess It'll
went to sleep on the throne. That was
long ago. I manage to keep awake
very well Of late. Do you like my
throneroom2''
And to think that 1t Is yours!'
cit is this room that gives me the
1 right to be hailed with Long live the
princess! Net with campaign Fells
and H4prah fop Eetivey How does
that sound? sHurrah for Yetivey" She
was laughing merrily.
Don't say 1t! It sounds sacrilegious,
revolting!'
For over three years since was
eighteen have been supreme in that
chair. During the years of ny reigp
prior to that time sat there with my
Uncle Caspar standing beside me. How
often begged him to sit down with
mel There was 90 much room, and no
certainly must have grown tired Of
standing. One time cried because he
frowned at me when | persisted In the
presence of great assemblage Of no.
bles from Dawsbergen. 1t seems that
1t was q most important audience that
was granting, but thought more of
my uncle's tired old legs. remember
saying through my sohs of mortifea:
ton that would 3hayeaAim beheaded.
You are IS guess whether that startling
threat created CONSIDERATION or mirth.''
fWhat whimsical little princess
you must have been, weeping and pout-
ing and going to sleepw he laughed.
"And how sedate and wise you have
becomev'
THANK you. How very nice you
are. have felt all along that some
one would discern my effort to be dig
nified and sedate. They say am wise
and good and gracious, but that is to
be expected. They said that Of sover.
eigns as far back us the deluge. I've
heard. Would you really like to see
me In that old chair?" she asked.
nAh, you are still a woman" he said
smiling at her pretty vanity. Moth.
ing could impress me more pleasantly
She stepped carelessly and impulsiye
. " upon the royal platform, leaned
!, against the arm of the throne, and will
the charming blush Of consciousness
turned to him with the quickness of q
guilty conscience, eager to hear his
praise, but fearful lest he secretly con
demned her conceit. His eyes were
burning with the admiration thai
! knows no defining, and his breath
came quick and sharp through parted
lips. He involuntarily placed foo
upon the bottom step. as II to spring
to her side.
You must not come up herer she
cried, shrinking back, her hands ex
tended in 1uttering remonstrance. q
!. cannot permit that at all!''
II beg your pardon" he cried. Tha'
Is oil the humble plebeian can say
That may be more completely undel
this fairy spell, pray cast about your
!. self the robe of rank and take up thu
scepter. Perhaps may fall upon my
: face
And hurt your head all over again.
she said, laughing neryously She hes
itated for q moment, perplexed frowl
crossing her brow. Then she jerked
rich robe from the back of the thron,
and placed it about her shoulders a
only q woman can. Taking up th,
scepter, she stood before the grea
chair and, with q smile on her lips
held 1t above his head, saying softly:
"Graustark welcomes the American
4 prince"
He sank to his knee before the rea
princess, kissed the hem OF her rob,
aud arose with face pallid. The chasn
was now endless in its immensely. TIL
princess glngerly seated herself on TIL
throne, placed her elbow on the hroa,
arm, her white chin in her hand, an,
Y TRANQUILITY surveyed the voiceless Anne,
lean prince.
"You haye not said Thank you,'
she said finally. her, eyes wagering be
= meath his STEADY ROze,