The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-08-05

weiss. knowing that each day would
add pain to the torture he was already
suffering, his sole object being, he con-
WINGED himself, to Illustrate Gabriels
evil plans.
Returning laIe in the evening from
their stroll. they entered a cafe cele-
brated i'm Edelweiss. In all his life
Lorry had never known the loneliness
that makes death welcome.
The cafe was crowded with men and
women. In far corner sat party of
Axphain mobiles, their prince. n most
democratic fellow, at the head OF q
long table. There were songs, jests and
boisterous laughter. The celebration
grew wilder. and Lorry and Anguish
crossed the room and. taking seats at o
table. ordered wine and cigars, both
eager for a closer view of the prince.
How Lorry loathed him!
I.orenz was good looking young fell
low, little more than boy. His smooth.
face was flushed. and there was about
him an air of dissipation that suggest
ed depravity in its advanced stage. The
face that might have been handsome
was the reflection of a roue, dashing.
devilish. He was fair haired and tall.
taller than his companions by half
head. With reckless abandon he drank
and sang and TESTED. arrogant In his
fiighty merriment. His cohorts were
not far behind him in riotous wit.
At length one of the jewellers. speak
ing i'm German, called OH Lorenz for
toast to the Princess Yetive, his prom
Used bride. Without a moments hesita-
ton the prince sprang to his feet, held
his glass aloft and cried:
Here's to the fairest OF the fair.
sweet Yetive. so hard TO win, too good
to lose. She loves me, God bless her
heart! And love her, God bless my
heart too! For each kiss from her won
drous lips | shall credit myself with
1000 gavvOs. That is the price Of n
kiss"
"Ill give 2,OO0!' roared one OF the
mobiles, and there was a laugh in which
the prince Joined.
NAY! I'll not sell them now. In
after years, when she has grown old
and her lips are parched and dry from
the sippings | have had, Ill sell them
all at a bargain. Alas. she has not
yet kissed me!'
Lorry's heart bounded with joy,
though his hands were clinched in rage.
"She will kiss me tomorrow. To
morrow I shall taste what no other
man has touched, what all men have
coveted And I'll be generous. gentle
men. She is so fair that your foul
mouths would blight with but one
caress upon her tender lips. and yet
you shall not be deprived of bliss. !
shall kiss her thrice for each of you.
Let me count. Thrice eleven Is thirty
shall be wasted for the sake OF my
friends. Lucky dogs! Drink TO my
princess"
Bravo cried the others. And the
glasses were raised to lip.
A chair was overturned. The form
Of a man landed suddenly at the side
of the prince, and rough hand dashed
the glass from his fingers, the contents
flying over his immaculate English
evening dress.
Don't you dare to drink that toastr'
cried a voice In his astonished ear, a
voice speaking in excited German. He
whirled and saw a scowling face be-
side his own. pair of gray eyes that
flashed fire.
"What do you meanI" he demanded.
anger replacing amazement. The 9th
er members of his party stood as II
spellbOund.
II mean that you speak OF the Prin-
cess of Graustark. DO you understand
that. you miserable curr'
"Ohw screamed the prince. convulsed
with rage. starting back and instinc-
lively reaching for the sword he did
not carry. You shall pay for this! |
will teach you to interfere
"I'll insult you more decidedly just
TO avoid misrepresentation" snarled
LOrry. swinging his big fist squarely
upon the mouth of the prince. His,
royal highness landed under table
ten feet away.
Instantly the cafe was In an uproar
The stupehed Axphainians ,regained
their senses. and a general assault was
made upon the hotheaded American.
He knocked another down. Harry An
guish coming to his assistance with
several savage blows. after which the
Graustark spectators and the walters
interferd. Ii vas all over In an IN
stant, yet q SENSATION that would live
In the gossip OF generations had been
created A prince of the realm had
been brutally assaulted Holding HIS
law, Lorenz uicked himself from the
door, several OF his friends running td
his aid. There was blood OH his lips
and chin; IL trickled to his shirt front.
For some moments be stood painting.
glaring at Lorry's hooking face.
Il am Lorenz Of Axphain. air." be
said at last. his voice qusvsring with
Suppressed anser.
1T sheil be pieasnre 70 kill you.
C0NTfNTrEn ON pACRs