The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-08-19

TO save you A1c 1eiiIeo a9eiANS@ eA-N
stone wall ard shook his head slowly,
the smile still on his lips.
CHAPTER XIV.
BECAUSE Love HIM.
wN HE next morning Edelweiss was
& astr early. Great throngs Of
g people focked the streets long
before the hour set for the
signing Of the decree that was to dl-
vide the north from the south. The
whole nation, it seemed, stood before
the walls awaiting with bated breath
and dismal faces the announcement
that Yetive had decided to Bolaroz the
lands and lives Of half Of her subjects.
Shortly before 0 o'clock Harry An
guish, with his guard Of six, rode up to
the castle. Captain Dangloss was be-
side him on his gray charger. They
had scarcely passed inside the gates
when a cavalcade Of mounted men
came riding up the avenue from the
Hotel Regengetz. Then the bowling,
the kissing, the hooting began. Male
dictions were hurled at the heads OF
Axphain noblemen as they rode be-
tween the maddened lines Of people.
They smiled sardonically in reply to
the impotent signs of hatred, but they
were glad when the ca stle gates closed
between them and the vast despalrlng
crowd, in which the tempest Of revolt
was brewing with unmistakable ener-
Gy.
Prince Bolaroz, the Duke Of Mlzrox
and the ministers were already in the
castle and had been there since the
previous afternoon. In the royal pal
ace the excitement was intense, but it
was Of the subdued kind that strains
the nerves 70 the point where control
is martyrdom.
When the attendants went to the
bedchamber Of the princess at { o'clock,
as was their wont, they found, to their
surprise, no one standing guard.
The princess was not in her cham
Der. nor had she been there during the
night. The bed was undisturbed. In
some alarm the two women ran to her
parlor. then to the boudoir. Here they
found her asleep on the divan, attired
In the gown she had worn since the
evening before. now crumpled and
creased, the proof positive Of rest
less, miserable night.
Her first act after awakening and
untangling the meshes in her throb-
bing, uncomprehending brain was to
send for Quinnox. sShe could scarcely
wait for his appearance and the assur-
ance that Lorry was safely out Of dan
ger. The footman who had been sent
to fetch the captain was long time IN
returning. She was dressed in her
breakfast gown long before he came in
with the repora: that the captain was
nowhere to be found. Her heart gave
q great throb Of joy. She alone could
explain his absence To her it meant
but one thing-Lorry's fight from the
castle. Where else could Quinnox be
except with the fugitive, perhaps once
more inside st. Valentines?
Preparations began at once for the
eventful transaction in the throneroom.
The splendor Of two courts was to
shine in rivalry. Ten o'clock was the
hour set for the meeting Of the two
rulers, the victor ani the victim. Her
mobiles and hc- ladies, her ministers.
her guards and her lackcys moved
about in the halls, lrcading the hour,
brushing against the hated Axphaln
guests. In one Of the small waiting
rooms sat the Count and Countess Hal
font, the latter in tears. The young
Countess DagInar stood at i window
with Harry Anguish. The latter was
flushed and nervous and acted like a
man who expects that which IS unex-
pected by others. With q strange con-
fidence in his voice, he sought to cheer
lis depressed friends, but the cheerful
ness was not conta Gious. The sombrc-
ness of burial hung over the castle.
Half an hour before the time set for
the meeting in the throneroom Ietiye
sent for her uncle, her aunt and Dag
mar. As Anguish and the latter fol-
lowed, the girl turned hec sad, puzzled
eyes Up to the face of the tall Amor
lean and said:
Are you rejoicing over our mistor-
tune? You do not show particle Of
regret. Do you forget that we are sac
rihcing great deal to save the life OF
your friend? I do not understand how
you can be so hcartless."
y think can explain satisfactorily
when I have more time" he said soft
~ in her ear, and, although She tried,
she could lind no words to continue.
He left her at the head Of the stairs
and did not see her again until she
passed him in the throneroom. Then
she was pale and brave and trembling.
Prince Bolaroz and his mobiles stood
to the right OF the throne, the Grau-
stark men and women OF degree to the
left, while near the door on both sides
were to be seen The leading military
men of both principalittcs. Near the
Duke Of N1izroX was stationed the fig
ure Of Gabriel, prince OF Dawsbersen.
lie had come, With 4 half dozen follow
! ers, among I; crowd OF unsuspcctlnG
Axphainlans, and had taken his posi-
ton near the throne. Anguish entered
with Baron Dangloss, and they stood
together near the doorway, the latter