Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-07-28

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rhe Princess Yetive was sleeping
soundly, peacefully, with smile OF
her lips, when her prime minister SEN
an excited attendant to inform her Of
the prisoners escape. She sat up ir
bed, and, with her hands clasped about
her knees, sleepily announced that she
would receive him after her coffee was
served. Then she summoned her maids
Her uncle and aunt, the Countess
Dagmar (whose merry brown eyes
were so full of pretended dismay thai
tie princess could scarcely restrain
:.niie), and Gaspon, the minister OF
finance, were awaiting her appearance
Sne heard the counts story of the es
cape, marveled ut the prisoners au
dac,ty and firmly announced that ev
| erything possible should be done to ap
prehen.l him. With perplexed frowr
on her brow and dubious twist to 49,
lips, she said:
II suppose l must offer reward:
"Certainlyr' exclaimed her uncle.
about 80 aavvos, uncle?"
"Fiftyw cried the two men, aghast.
"Isn't that enough?"
"For the murderer of princes" de
manded Gaspon. 1T would be absurd
your highness. He is a most important
person"
Quite so. He is q most important
person. l think I'll offer 5000 gavvos. u
More like it. He is worth that, al
least" agreed Uncle Caspar.
Beyond a doubt" sanctioned Gas
pom.
81 am glad you do not consider me
extravaganza" she said demurely. You
may have tie placards printed at once
she went on. addressing the treasurer.
Say that a reward Of 5000 gavvos
will be paid to the person who delivers
Grenfall Lorry to me-"
would it not be better to say de-
| livers Grenfall Lorry to the tower? "
submitted Gaspon.
"You may say to the undersigned
and sign my name," she said reflective
ly.
Every we'll. your highness. They
shall be struck off this morning"
"In large type, Gaspon. You must
catch him If you can" she added. "He
IS a very dangerous man, and royalty
needs protection" With this wise bit
of caution she dismissed the subject
and began to talk Of the storm.
As the two young plotters were has
tening UP the stairs later on all at
tendant approached and informed the
princess that Mr.. Anguish requested an
audience.
Conduct him to my boudoir." she
said, her eyes sparkling with triumph.
In the seclusion of the boudoir she and
the countess laughed like children over
the reward that had been so sOlemnly
| ordered.
Five thousand gavvosw cried Dag
mar, leaning back in her chair to en-
phasize the delight she felt. What q
joke"
Tap, tap, came knock on the door,
and in the same instant 1t flew open,
| for Mr. Anguish was in hurry. AS
he plunged into their presence a pair
of heels found the floor spasmodically.
"Oh, 1 beg pardonw he gasped as If
about to fly. MAY come in?'
Not unless you go outside. You
are already in, it seems" said the prin-
cess. advancing to meet him. The
countess was very still and sedate. Il
am so glad you have come"
Heard about Lorry? The fool is
out and gonew he cried, unable to re-
strain himself. Without word she
dragged him to the divan, and, be-
tween them, he soon had the whole
story poured into his ears, the princess
on one side, the countess on the other.
"You are a wonder" he exclaimed
when all the facts were known to him.
He executed little dance Of approval,
entirely out Of place in the boudoir Of
a princess, but very much in touch
with prevailing sentiment. "But what's
to become of me% he asked after cool
ing down. 81 have no excuse for re-
naming in Graustark, and don't like
to leave him here either"
"Oh, have made plans for you"
said she. You are to be held as hos
tage."
What"
81 thought of your predicament last
night, and here is the solution: This
very day shall issue an order forbid
ding you the right to leave Edelweiss.
You will not be in prison, but your ev-
cry movement is to be watched. A
strong guard will have you under sur
veillance. and any attempt to escape or
to communicate with your friend will
result in your confinement and his de-
lection. In this way you may stay
here until the time comes to fly. The
AXphain people must be satisfied, you
know. Your freedom will not be dis
turbed. You may come and go as you
like, but you are ostensibly prisoner.
BY OBTAINING you forcibly we gain a
point for you are needed here. There
is no other way in which you can ex-
plain q continued presence in Grau-
stark. Is not my plan good one?"
"It is beyond comparison" he said,
rising and bowling low. $50 shrewd Is
this plan that you make me hostage
forever. shall not escape its memory
If live to be a thousand"
At parting she said seriously:
"a great deal depends on your dis
cretion, Mr.. Anguish. My guards will
watch your every action, for they are
not in the secret-excepting Quinnox-
and any attempt on your part to COM
municate with Grenfall Lorry will be
fatal"
Trust me, your highness. I have
had much instruction in wisdom to
day"
Il hope we shall see you Often" she
said.
"Daily AS a hostage" he replied,
glancing toward the countess.
"That means until the other man Is
captured" said the young lady saucily.
AS he left the castle he gazed at the
distant building in the sky and won
dered how it had ever been approached
in a carriage. She had not told him
that Allode drove for miles over wind
ing roads that led to the monastery up
q gentler slope from the rear.
The next afternoon Edelweiss thrilled
with new excitement. Prince Bola-
roz of Axphain, mad with grief and
rage, came laundering into the city
with his court at his heels. His wrath
had been increased until 1t resembled a