Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-08-04


brief, happy dream, but it was swept
away by the unrelenting rush Of real
ity. The mere fact that she, and she
alone, was responsible for his flight
placed between them an unsurmount-
able barrier.
Clinging tenaciously to her purpose,
she was still cognizant Of the debt she
owed the trusting, loving people OF
Guustark. One word from her could
avert the calamity that was to fall
with the dawn Of the fatal goth. All
Graustark blindly trusted and adored
her. To undeceive them would be to
administer shock from which they
could never recover.
Her highness' manner was at all
times frank and untroubled. She was
apparently light hearted. Her cheeks
had lost none Of their freshness. Her
ewes were bright. Her smile was quick
and merry, her wit unclouded. Recep'
tions, drawing rooms and state func-
tions found her always vivacious, 80
much so that her court wondered not
little. Daily reports brought no news
of the fugitive, but while others were
beginning to acquire the haggard air
of worry and uncertainty she was
calmly resigned. The 18th, the 10th,
the 18th, the 18th and now the 18th OF
November came and still the princess
revealed no marked sign Of distress.
l., nd hnxUa6 hnQ6a
the people Of Graustark saw the 18th
fade in the night, the breaking OF
which would bring the crush of pride,
the end of power. A: court there was
the silent dread and the dying hope
that relief might come ut the last hour.
Men with pale faces and fearful eyes
wandered through the ancient castle,
speechless. nerveless, miserable. Brave
soldiers crept about, shorn Of pride and
filed with woe. Citizens sat and stared
aimlessly for hours, thinking Of naught
but the disaster so near at hand and so
unavoidable. The whole nation surged
as If in the last throes Of death. 10
morrow the potency Of Graustark was
TO ule. ltS uOlnulu WuS W pS SiSAe Ah
twain, disgraced before the world.
And on the throne Of this afflicted
land sat the girl Yetive, proud, ten
der, courageous. Tomorrow would see
the north torn from the south, the divi-
sion of families, the rending of homes,
the bursting of hearts. She sanctioned
all this because she loved Lorry and
because he had done no wrong.
Aware of her financial troubles and
pursuing the advantage that his rivals
death had opened to him, Prince Ga
briel of Dawsbergen renewed his ar
dent suit. Scarce had the body Of the
murdered prince left the domain be-
fore he made his presence marked.
knowing that he was in truth the mys-
terious Michael who had planned her
abduction, she feared and despised him,
vet dared make no public denuncia-
tion. AS Dawsbergen was too power
full to be antagoniZed at this critical
time, she was constantly forced to sub
NIT to the most trying and repulsive
of ordeals. Tact and policy were re-
quired to control the violent, hot blood
ed young ruler from the south. Day art
er day he haunted the castle, persist
ent in his efforts to induce her to ac-
cept his proposition. So fierce was his
passion, so implacable his desire, that
he went among the people OF Edel-
weiss, presenting to them his proposal,
hoping thereby to add public feeling
to his claims. He tried to organize
committee Of citizens to go before the
princess with the petition that his offer
be accepted and the country saved.
But Graustark was loyal to Its pr1n-
cess. Not one Of her citizens listened
to the willy prince. and more than one
told him or his emissaries that the loss
Of the whole kingdom was preferable
to the marriage he desired. The city
sickened at the thought.
His last and master stroke In the
struggle to persuade came on the after
noon of the 10th, at an hour when all
Edelweiss was in gloom and when the
princess was taxed to the point where
the mask of courage was 80 frail that
she could scarce hide her bleeding soul
behind it.
Bolaroz of Axphain, to quote from
the news dispatch, was In Edelweiss, a
guest, with few Of his lords, In the
castle. North Of the city were en-
camped 5000 men. He had come pre-
pared to cancel the little obligation OF
fifteen years standing. With the hated
creditor in the castle, his influence how
ering above the town, the pOpulace dis
tracted by the thoughts Of the day to
some, Gabriel played what he consid-
cred his best card. He asked for and
obtained a final interview with Yetve,
not in her boudoir or her reception
room, but In the throneroom, where
she was to meet Bolaroz In the morn
ing.
The princess, seated on her throne
awaited the approach Of the resource
full, tenacious suitOr. He came, and be-
hind him strobe eight stalwart men
bearing q long iron bound chest, the
result Of his effort with his bankers.
Yetive and her mobiles looked In sur
prise on this unusual performance.
Dropping to his knee before the throne,
Gabriel said, his voice trembling slight
ly with eagerness and fear:
"Your highness, tomorrow will see
the turning point in the history of two.
possibly three, misunderstanding, Ak
phain and Dawsbergen. have includ-
ed my own land because its ruler is
most vitality interested. He would
serve and save Graustark, as you
!, know, and he would satisfy Axphain.
It is in my power to give you aid at
this last, trying hour, and l implore
you to listen to my words of sincerest
friendship-yes, alteration. Tomorrow
you are to pay to Prince Bolaroz over
25,OOO,OO0 gavvos or relinQuish the en-
tire north half Of your domain. 1 un-
derstand the lamentable situation. You
can raise no more than 15.00O,000, and
you are helpless. He will grant no ex-
| tension of time. You know what
have proffered before. come today to
repeat my friendly offer and to give
unauestioned bond as to my ability to
carry 1t out. If you agree to accept
the loan extend = 100000 gavvos
for fifteen years at the usual rate OF In
terest-you can on tomorrow morning
place in the hand of Axphain when he
makes his formal demand the full
amount Of your indebtedness In gold