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

the figures Of men and women stroll.
ing in the moonlight. To bis ears came
the occasional laugh Of man, the sil.
very gurgle Of a woman. The royal
military band was playing In the stand
near the edge Of the great circle. There
were gayety, comfort, charm and secu-
rity about everything that came to his
eyes and ears. Where was she? He
had seen her in the afternoon and had
talked with her, had walked with her.
Their conversation had been bright, but
of the commonplace kind. She had
said nothing to indicate that she re-
menbered the hour spent beside his
couch a day or so before; he had ut
tered none of the words that struggled
to rush from his lips-the questions, the
pleadings, the vows. Where was sne
now2 Not in that gay crowd below,
for he had scanned every figure with
the hawks eye; closeted again, no
doubt with her ministers, wearying
her tired brain, her brave heart into
fatigue without rest.
Her court still trembled with the e1-
citement Of the daring attempt OF the
abductors and their swift punishment
Functionaries fiocked to Edelweiss to
inquire after the welfare Of the prin-
cess, and indignation was at the high
est pitch. There were theories innu-
merable as to the identity Of the arch
conspirator. Baron DanglOss was at
sea completely. He cursed himself
and everybody else for the hasty ana
i'll timed execution Of the hirelings. 1t
was quite evident that the buzZing
wonder and intense feeling Of the peo-
pie had for the moment driven out all
thought Of the coming day Of judg-
ment and its bitter atohement for all
Graustark. Today the castle was full
of the nobility, drawn to its walls by
the news that had startled them be-
yond all 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 the purpose Of securing
a fabulous ransom. Grenfall Lorry
had an astonishing theory in his mind,
and the more he thought 1t over the
more firmly it was imbedded.
The warm, blue coils from the cigar
waited away into the night, carrying
with them a 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-
tions from the moon that scaled the
mountain top. She stood at the balus-
trade, her hands clasplng 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 overpowered
him. How long he reveled in the glory
of the picture he knew not, for 1t was
as If 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 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. 81 left my ladies' inside"
He was standing beside her, looking
down into the eyes.
"And I 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.
T have heard how you stand be-
tween two suitors and that wretched
treaty. My heart has ached to tell you
how pity YOU"
"It is not pity I need, but courage.
Pity will not aid me in my duty, Mr..
Lorry. 1t stands plainly before me,
this duty, but l have not the courage
to take it up and place it about my
neck forever"
"You do not, cannot love this Lo-
renz| he asked.
Love himw 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! I swear you shall
notv'
"Oh, he is a prince! I 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 am
to give my answer. He will be here
in this castle. My father brought this
calamity upon Graustark; I 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.
ut looks so peaceful up there" she |
said ut last.
"But so cold and cheerless," he add. |
ed drearily. There was another long
silence In which two hearts communed
through the medium Of that faraway |
sentinel. "They have not discovered q |
clew to the chief abductor, have theyT
he asked In an effort to return to his |
proper sphere.
Baron Dangloss believes he has Q
:lew-a meager and unsatisfactory one,
he admits-and today sent officers to |
Ganlook to investigate the actions of q |
strange man who was there last week, |
a man who styled himself the Count Of
Arabazon and who claimed to be Of vi.
emma. Some Austrians had been hunt. |
ings stags and bears In the north, how. |
ever. and Il is possible he Is one OF