Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-02

loved. She had surrendered to the in
cvitablc because there was justice in
the claims of tho ineXorabc duke and
his vindictivc friends. She signed the
decree MS If in Il dream, Il nightmare.
with trembling hand and broken heart.
Ills death warrant. And yet, like all
others, she believed him guilty-guilty
for her sake.
MzroX and his friends departed in
triumph, revenge written on every face.
She walked blndly, numbly, to her
room, assisted by her uncle. the count.
Without observing her aunt or the
Countess Daginar, she staggered to the
window and looked below. The AK
phainians were crossing the parade
ground jubilantly. Then came the clat-
ter of Il horses hoof, and Captain Qun-
nox, with the fatal papers in his pos
session, gallopcd down the avenue. She
clutchcd the curtains diatractodly and,
leaning far forward, cried from the
open window:
"QuinnoX. QuinnoX, Come back. I
forbid forbid, Destroy those pa
pcrS. QuinnoX.'
But QuinnoX heard not the pitiful
wall. Seeing him disappear down the
avenue. she threw her hands to her
head and sank back with Il moan, faint
ing. Count IIalfont caught her in his
arms. 1t was nightfall before she was
fully revived. The faithful. young
countess chung to her carcssingly, low
ingly, utteriug words of consolation
until long after the shades of night had
dropped. They were alone in the prin-
cess boudor, seated together upon the
divan. the tired head of the one resting
YEARLY against the shoulder Of the
other. Wide and dark and troubled
were the eyes of the ruler of Grau-
stark.
An attendant appeared and an
nounced the arrival of one of the
American gentlemen, who insisted on
seeing her royal hiChncss. The card
on the tray bore the name of Harry
Anguish At once the princess was
alutter with eagerness and excite
mcnt.
Anguish. Show him to this room
quickly, oh, Dagmar, he brings word
from him. lie comes from him, Why
is he so slow? Ach. cannot watt"
Far from being slow. Anguish was
exceedingly swift in approaching the
room to which he feared admttance
might he denied.
TEL me. What is it?' she cried as
he stopped in the center of the room
and glarcl at her.
Il don't care whether you like it. and
it doesn't matter if you are Il princess"
he exploded, there are Il few things
I'm going to say to YOU. First, | want
to know what kind of n woman YOU are
to throw into prison n man lilie-liko-
oh, it drives me- crazy To think of H..
| don't care ii you are inSulted. Hes
Il friend of mine. and he is no more
guilty than YOU are, and want to
know what you mean by ordering his
arrest"
Her lips parted as if to speak, her
face grew deathly pale. her fingers
cutched the edge of the divan. She
stared at him pitcously. unable TO
move, TO sp9aH. Then the blue eyes
filled with tears, n sob came TO her
lips, and her tortured heart made u
last brave effort at defense.
'I-I-Mr. Anguish. you wrong mel
T. She tried to whisper through
the closed throat and stiifened lips.
Words IA lied her, but she pleaded with
those wet inploring eyes. His heart
melted, his anger WAS swept away in
tWinkllng. He saw that he had
wounded her most uniustly.
you brute" Kissed the countess,
with flashing, indignant eyes. throwing
her arms about the princess and draw
ing her head to her breast.
"Forgive me- lie cried. sinking to
his knee before the princess, shame
and contrition in his face. IL have
been half mad this whole day, and
have thought harshly Of you. l now
see that you are suffering more IN.
tcnSely than I. | love Lorry, and that
is my only excuse. lie is being foully
wronged, your highncss, foully wrong
ed"
Il deserve your contempt after all.
| Whether he bc guilty or innocent,
should have refused to sign the decree
| 1t is too late now. | have signed away
something that is very dear to me-his
| life. You are his friend and mine. Can
you tell me what he thinks of me
what he snys-how he feels:" She
| asked the triple question brcathlessly.
He believes you We're forced into
| the act. and said az much to me. AS
to how he feels, | can only ask how
you would feel if you were in his
place, innocent and yet almost sure of
conviction. These friends of AXphain
will resort to any subterfuge now that
one of their number has staked his
life. Mark my word some one will de-
libcrately swear that he saw Grenfall
Lorry strike the blow, and that will be
as villainous lie as man ever told
/ What | am here for, your highness, is
to ask if that decree cannot be with.
drawn"
ALAS, it cannot. would gladly or
der his release if | could, but you can
see what that would mean to us - a
war, Mr.. Anguish" she sighed misera-
bly,.
But you will not see an innocent
man condcmned?' cried he, again in
dignant
II have only your statement for that
sir, if you will pardon me. hope from
the bottom OF my heart that he did