The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-07-22

lne I,eUpIe generously rauneG the res
olutOn. But the princess would not al
low them to send an answer TO Ak
phain until she could see a way clear
to save her people in some other man
ner. An embassy was sent TO the Prince
| of Dawsbergen. His domain touched
| Graustark OH the south. and he ruled
| q wild. turbulent class of mountaineers
and herdsmen. This embassy sought
/ TO secure an Endorsement Of the loan
] from Prince Gabriel sufficient to meet
| the coming crisis. Gabriel, himself
smtten by the charms of the princess.
at once offered himself fin marriage,
/ agreeing to advance, in case she ac-
cepted him. 20,0O0,0O0 gavvos at a rath.
er high rate Of interest for fifteen years.
/ His love for her was so great that he
would pawn the entire principality for
an answer that would make him the
| happiest maR on earth. Now, the trOu-
bled princess abhorred Gabriel. OF the
two, LOrenz was much to be preferred.
Gabriel flew into a rage upon the re-
ceipt of this rebuff and openly avowed
his intention TO make her suffer. His
tAfatBation became a mania, and up 10
the very day on which the countess
told the story he persisted in his ap-
Deals to the princess. In person he had
gone TO her to plead his guilt on his
knees, groveling at her feet. He went
30 far as to exclalm madly in the pres
ence of the alarmed but relentless OBJ
ject of his love that he would win her
or turn the whole earth into everything
unpleasant.
So il was that the Princess of Grau-
stark, erstwhile Miss GuggenslOcker.
was being dragged through the most
unhappy affairs that ever beset soy
ereign. Within month she was to
sign away twothirds of her domain
Transforming multitudes of her beloved
and loving people into subjects of tn,
hated AXphain or TO sell herself. body
and soul. TO loathsome bidder in the
guise OF sutton, and, with all this con
fronting her, she had come TO the real
lzatiOn of a 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
pursueT' asked Loriy AS the countess
concluded her story. His face was
turned away.
"She cannot decide. We have wept
together over this dreadful this horri.
bic thing. You do not know what it
means to all of us, MIR. 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 il her duty to
pay the penalty OF his error, whatever
the cost
rs there no other TO whom she can
turn-nO other courseT 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 at the foun-
tain all the time. Why have you come
TO EdelweissT She asked the ques-
ten so boldly that his startled embar-
rassment was an unspoken confession.
He Gained himself and hesitated long
before answering weighing his reply.
She sat close beside him, her clear
gray eyes reading him like book.
Il came to see 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
bankerT
II 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"
mo; have not found her"
And are you going home disappoint-
ed, Mr., Lorry. because she is not
hereY'
81 leave the answer to your tender
Imagination"
There was long pause.
MAY l ask when you expect to leave
Graustark ?" she asked somewhat tim.
idly.
why do you wish to known he
asked In turn.
Because know how hopeless your
quest has been. You have found Miss
Guggenslocker, but she is held behind
a 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.
l have asked how soonT
Not until your princess bids me take
up my load and go. You see, my lady,
love to sit beneath the shadow Of the
wall you describe. II will require a
royal edlct to compel me to abandon
my position"
you cannot expect the princess to
drive you from her country, you who
n. n.