Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-07-17

and everybody else for the hasty and
i'll timed execution of tile hirelings. It
was quite evident that the buazing
wonder and intense feeling of the peo-
pie had for the moment driven out all
thought of the coming day Of judy
ment and its bitter atonement for all
Graustark. Today the castle was full
OF the nobility, drawn to its walls by
the news that had startled them be-
yond oil expression. The police were
at work, the military trembled with
rage, the people clamored for the ap-
prehension Of the man who had been
the instigator OF this audacity. The
general belief was that some brigand
chief from the south had planned the
great theft for tho purpose of securing
a fabulous ransom. Grenfall Lorry
had an astonishing theory in his mind,
and the more he thought it over the
more firmly 1t was imbcdded.
The warm, blue coils from the cigar
waited away into the night, carrying
with them myriad OF tangled thoughts
-of her, of Axphain, Of the abductor
Of himself, OF everything. A light step
on the stone floor of the shadowy bal
cony attracted his attention. He turn
ed his head and saw the Princess Ye-
tive. She was walking slowly toward
the balustrade, not aware Of his pres
ence. There was no covering for the
dark hair, no wrap about the white
shoulders. She wore an exquisite gown
Of white, shimmering with the refec-
tons from the moon that scaled the
mountain top. She stood at the balus-
trade. her hands clasping bouquet Of
red roses, her chin lifted, her eyes gaz-
Ing toward the mountains crest, the
prettiest picture he had ever seen. The
strange dizziness of love oyerpowered
him. How long he reveled in the glory
Of the picture he knew not, for it was
as II he looked from dream. At last
he saw her look down upon the roses,
lift them slowly and drop them over
the rail. They fell to the ground be-
low. He thought he understood the
gift of a prince despised.
They were not twenty feet apart. He
advanced to her side, his hat in one
hand, his stick-the one that felled the
Viennese-trembling In the other.
II did not know you were here" she
exclaimed In half frightened amaze
ment. II left my ladies inside"
He was standing beside her, looking
down into the eyes.
"And AM richer because Of your ig-
norance," he said softly. II have seen
a picture that shall never leave my
memory-never! Its beauty enthralled,
enraptured. Then saw the drama Of
the roses. All, your highness. the
crown is not always mask
| "The roses were-were Of no conse-
quence." she faltered.
II have heard how you stand be-
tween two suitors and that wretched
treaty. My heart has ached to tell you
how I pity you"
at is not pity need, but courage.
Pity will not aid me in my duty, Mr..
Lorry. 1t stands plainly before me,
this duty, but have not the courage
to take it up and place 1t about my
neck forever"
You do not, cannot love this Lo-
renz?" he asked.
Love him!' she cried. Zach, / for
get! You do not know him. Yet I
shall doubtless be his wife," There
was an eternity Of despair in that low,
steady voice.
"You shall not! swear you shall
notr'
"Oh, he is prince! must accept
the offer that means salvation to Grau-
stark. Why do you make 1t harder
| with torture which you think is kind.
ness? Listen to me. Next week an
to give my answer. he will be here
in this CASTLE My father brought this
calamity upon Graustark; must lift
it from the people. What has my hap
piness to do with It?
| Her sudden strength silenced him
crushed him with the real awakening
Of helplessness. He stood beside her
looking up at the cold monastery
strangely conscious that she was gaz
Ing toward the same dizzy height.
~ iOohS ~ PSoSSAuA w tuSIe, BIN
said at last.
But SO cold and cheerless," he add
ed drearily. There was another lont
silence in which two hearts communet
through the medium Of that faraway
sentinel. "They have not discovered
clew to the chief abductor, have they 2
he asked in an effort to return to hi
proper sphere.
Baron Dangloss believes he has
clew-a meager and unsatisfactory one
he admits-and today sent officers t
Ganlook to investigate the actions Of
strange man who was there last week
a man who styled himself the Count o
Arabazon and who claimed to be Of VI
emma. Some Austrians had been hunt
ings stays and bears in the north, how
ever, and 1t is possible he is one o