The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-07-29

it doesn't matter II you are a princess, -
he exploded, "there are few things
I'm going to say to you. First, want
to know what kind Of a woman you are
to throw into prison man like-like-
oh, it drives me crazy to think Of it!
l don't care il you are 1nsulted. Hes
a 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
clutched the edge Of the divan. She
stared at him piteously, unable to
move, to speak. Then the blue eyes
filled with tears, q sob came to her
lips, and her tortured heart made a
last brave effor;5 at defense.
''I-I-Mr. Anguish, you wrong mel
p She tried to whisper through
the closed throat and stiffened lips.
Words failed her, but she pleaded with
those wet, imploring eyes. His heart
melted, his anger was swept away in
a twinkling. He saw that he had
wounded her most unjustly.
you brute!'' hissed the countess,
with flashing, indignant eyes, throwing
her arms about the princess and draw
ing her head to her breast.
Forgive me-" he cried, sinking to
his knee before the princess, shame
and contriton in bis face. II have
been half mad this whole day, and I
have thought harshly Of you. I now
see that you are suffering more in
tensely than I. I love Lorry, and that
is my only excuse. lie is being foully
vronged, your highncss, coully wrong
ed"
Il deserve your contempt after all.
Whether be be guilty or innocent, |
should have refused to sign the decree.
1t is too late now. have signed away
something that is very deac to me-his
life. You are his friend and mine. Can
you tell NE what he thinks of me-
what he says-how he feels:' She
asked the triple question breathlessly.
HE believes you were forced into
the act> and said as much to me. AS
to how he feels, 1 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-
liberately swear that he saw Grenfall
LOFTY strike the blow, and that will be
as villainous a lie as man ever told.
What l am here for, your highness, is
to ask if that decree cannot be with
drawn"
alas, it cannot! I would gladly or
Ger his release if I 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 condemned?' cried he, again in
dignant.
81 have only your statement for that,
sir, if you will pardon me. I hope from
the bottom of my heart that he did
not murder the prince after being hon
orably challenged
'He is no coward"' thundered An
guish, startling both women with his
yehemence. II say he did not kill the
prince, but III stake my life he would
have done so had they met this morn
ing
"He may be able to clear himself" "
suggested the countess neryously.
'And he may not; so there you have
it. What chance have two Americans
over here with everybody against us?'
"Stop. You shall not say that! He
shall have full justice at any cost, and
there is one here who is not against
him." cried the princess, with flashing
eyes.
81 am aware that everybody admires
him because he has done Graustark a
service in ridding it Of something OBJ
noxious-a prospective husband. But
that does not get him out of jail"
You are unkind again" said the
princess slowly. "I chose my husband,
and you assume much when you init
mate that am glad because he was
murdered
do not be angry" cried tie count
ess impatiently. I'VE all regret what
has happened, and I, for one, hope that
Mr.. Lorry may escape from the tower
and laugh forevermore at his pursuers.
If he could only dig his way outv'
The princess shot q startled look TO-
ward the speaker as new thought en-
tered her wearied brain. a short, in
voluntary gasp told that it had lodged
and would grow. She laughed at the
idea Of an escape from the tower, but
as she laughed a tiny spot Of red began
to spread upon her cheek and her eyes
glistened strangely.
Anguish remained with them for half
an hour. When he left the castle, 1t
was with more hopeful feeling In his
breast. In the princess bedchamber
late that night two girls In loose silken
gowns sat before low fire and talked
Of something that caused the countess
to tremble with excitement when hrst
her pink checked sovereign mentioned
it in confidence.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE FLIGHT AT MIDNIGHT.
" ORRN'S cell VAS as cOClfOrta bic