The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-09-02
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.GRAUSTARK|
By.
GEORGE BARR M'cUTcHEON 1
) COPYRIGHT, 1901, by Herbert S. Stone 4
-.
CHAPTER XIV.

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stood the petrifed lovers caught red
handed. Through her dazed brain
struggled the conviction that he could
never escape Through his ran the mis-
cradle realization that he had ruined
| her forever. Gabriel of all men,
Il arrive inopportunely," he said
harshly. the veins standing out on his
was not aware that you expected two,
your highness." There was no mistak-
! ing his meaning. He viciously sought
TO convey the impression that he was
there by appointment, a clalldestine
visitor in her apartments at midnight
what do you mean by coming to my
apartment at this hourf' she stam-
mcred, trying to rescue dignity from
the chaos of emotions. Lorry was
standing slightly to the right and sew
eral feet behind her He understood
the prince and quickly sought to inter
pose with the hope that he might shield
her from the sting.
"She did not expect me, sir" he said,
and a menacing CLEAN came to his
eyes. His pistol was in his hand. Ga
brel saw il, but the staring princess
did not. She could not take her eyes
from the face of the intruder Now,
may ask you why you are heref'
Gabrel's wit saved him from death.
He saw that he could not pursue the
course he had begun, for there was
murder in the Americans eye. Like
fox. ne swerved and. with a servile
promise of submission in his glance,
said
Il thought you were here, my fine
fellow. and | came to satisfy myself.
Now. sir may ask why you are
hereT His fingers twltched and his
eyes were CLASSY with the malevolence
he was subduing.
Il am here as a prisoner" said Lorry
boldly. Gabriel laughed derisively.
And how often have you come here
i'm this manner as prisoner? Midnight
and alone in the apartments Of the
princess. the guard dismissed. \ pris-
oner. ELI? IIa, what a prison"
stop" cried Lorry, white to the lips
The princess was beginning to under
stand. Her eyes grew wide with hor
ror, her figure Strengthened imperious-
ly and the white in her cheeks gave
way to the red of insulted virtue.
81 see it all, You have not been out
side this castle since you left the pris-
on. \ pretty scheme. You could not
marry him, could you, ehf He is not
prince, But you could bring him here
and hide him where no one would
dare TO think of looking for HMM
your apartments
With a snarl of rage Lorry sprang
upon him. cutting short the sentence
that would have gone through her like
the keenest knife blade.
Liar! Dog. III kill you for that"
he cried, but before he could clutch the
princes throat Yetive had frantically
seized his arm.
Not that" she shrieked. do not
kill him. There must be no murder
here"
He reluctantly hurled Gabriel from
him, the prince lettering to his knees
in the effort to keep from falling She
had saved her maligner's life, but cOur-
age deserted her with the act. Help
lessly she looked into the blazing eyes
Of her lover and faltered:
IL do not know what to say or do.
My brain is bursting"
Courage, couragew he whispered
gently.
You shall pay for this" shrieked
- OF n, w
shall be. There'll be scandal enough in
Graustark tomorrow TO start volcano
of wrath from the royal tombs where
lie her fathers. I'll see that you are a
prisoner" He started for the door. but
Lorry's pistol was leveed at his head.
IF you move I'll kill you"
The world will understand how and
why l fell 10y your hand and in this
room. Shootr' he cried triumphantly.
Lorry's hand trembled, and his eyes
filed with the tears of impotent rage.
The prince held the higher card.
a face suddenly appeared at the door.
which had been stealthily opened from
without. Captain QuinnoX glided into
the room behind the prince and gently
closed the door, unnoticed by the gloat-
or.
"A prisoner" sneered Gabriel
Where is your captor, prayY'
Here answered a voice at his back.
The prince wheeled and found himself
looking at the stalwart form of the
captain Of the guard. II am surely
privileged to speak now, your high
ness" he went on, addressing the prin-
cess significantly.
How came you here? gasped Ga
briel.
II brought my prisoner here. Where |
should be If not here to guard him.
"When-when did you enter this !