Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-06-30

herself, who said that she would bs
guided by any decision they might
reach. The counselors to a man re-
fused to sacrifice their girlish ruler, and
the people vociferously ratified the res
olution. But the princess would not al
low them to send an answer to. Az
| phain until she could see way cleal
to save her people in some other man
ner. An embassy was sent to the Prince
of Dawsbergen. His domain touched
Graustark on the south, and he ruled
q wild, turbulent class Of mountaineera
and herdsmen. This embassy sought
to secure an Endorsement of the loan
from Prince Gabriel sufficient to meet
the coming crisis. Gabriel, himself
smitten by the charms Of the princess
at once offered himself in marriage
agreeing to advance, in case she &C
cepted him, 10000, 900 gavvos at rath'
er high rate Of interest for fifteen years
His love for her was 80 great that he
would pawn the entire principally FOL
an answer that would make him the
happiest man on earth. Now, the trou'
bled princess abhorred Gabriel. OF the
two, Lorenz was much to be preferred.
Gabriel few into rage upon the re-
ceipt Of this rebuff and openly avowed
his intention to make her suffer. Hi
infatuation became mania, and up %
the very day on which the countess
told the story be persisted in his ap-
peals to the princess. In person be had
gone to her to plead his guilt on his
knees, groveling at her feet. he went
SO fur as to exclaim madly in the pres
ence Of the alarmed but relentless OBJ
ject of his love that he would win her
or turn the whole eartA into every thing
unpleasant.
So it was that the Princess Of Grau-
stark, erstwhile Miss Guggenslocker,
was being dragged through the most
unhappy affairs that ever beset SOW
ereign. Within q month she was to
sign away two-thirds of her domain,
transforming multitudes Of her beloved
and loving people into subjects Of the
hated Axphain or to sell herself, body
and soul, to a loathsome bidder In the
guise of suitor, and, with all this con.
fronting her, she had come to the real
ization of q truth so sad and distract
ing that 1t was breaking her tortured
heart. She was in love, but with no
royal prince! OF this, however, the
countess knew nothing, so Lorry had
one great secret to cherish alone.
HAS she chosen the course she will
pursue? asked Lorry as the countess
concluded her story. His face was
tuuied away.
"She cannot decide. We have wept
together over this dreadful, this horri-
BILE thing. You do not know what 1t
means to all Of us, Mr.. Lorry. We
love her, and there is not one In our
land who would sacrifice her to save
this territory. AS for Gabriel, Grau-
stark would kill her before she should
20 to him. Still she cannot let herself
sacrifice those northern subjects when
by single act she can save them. You
see, the princess has not forgotten
that her father brought this war upon
the people, and she feels 1t her duty to
pay the penalty Of his error, whatever
the cost"
"Is there no other to whom she can
turn-no other course| asked Lorry.
"There is none who would assist US,
bankrupt as we are. There Is a ques-
ton want to ask, Mr.. Lorry. Please
look at me. Do not stare ut the foun-
tain all the time. Why have you come
to Edelweiss?" She asked the ques-
ton 50 boldly that his startled embar-
rassment was an unspOken confession.
He calmed himself and hesitated long
before answering, weighing his reply.
She sat close beside him, her clear
gray eyes reading him like book.
"I came to see a Miss Guggenslock-
err" he answered at last.
"For what purpose? There must
have been an urgent cause to bring
you so far. You are not an American
banker"
81 had intended to ask her to be my
wife," he said, knowing that secrecy
was useless and seeing faint hope.
"You did not find Miss Guggenslock-
err"
"No; have not found her."
"And are you going home disappoint-
ed, Mr. Lorry, because she is not
herew
81 leave the answer to your tender
Imagination"
There was long pause.
"May ask when you expect to leave
Graustark?" she asked somewhat tim
idly.
"Why do you wish to know" he
asked in turn.
Because I know how hopeless your
quest has been. You have found Miss
Guggenslocker, but she is held behind
wall so strong and impregnable that
you cannot reach her with the question
you came to ask. You have come to
that wall, and now you must turn back.
I have asked how soon?"
"Not until your princess bids me take
up my load and 60. You see, my lady,
I love to sit beneath the shadow Of the
wall you describe. 1t will require q
royal edict to compel me to abandon
my position"
"You cannot expect the princess to
drive you from her country, you who
have done so much for her. You must
90, Mr.. Lorry, without her bidding"
81 must"
Eyes, for your presence outside that
wall may make the Imprisonment all
the more uncomfortable for the one your
love cannot reach. Do you understand
meY
HAS the one behind the wall In
structed you to say this to mel" be
asked miserabiy.
"She has not. I do not know her
heart, but / am woman and have
woman's foresight If you wish to be
kind and good to her, CO."
81 cannotw he exclaimed, his pent
feelings bursting forth. II cannot go"
"You will not be so selfish and SO
cruel as to increase the horror Of the
wreck that is sure to come" she said,
drawing back.
"You know, countess, Of the life saw
ing crews who draw from the wrecks
of ships lives that were hopelessly lost.
There is to be wreck here. Is there
to be q life saver? When the night is