The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-07-08
CHAPTER n.

full touch with the situation
Notwithstanding Harry's frequent and
graphic recollections Of incidents thai
had occurred and. that had led to theil
present condition. Their luncheon was
served in the counts room, as it was
inadrisable for the injured man to &C
to the dining hall until he was stronger
The court physician assured him that
he would be incapacitated for several
days, but that in q very short time his
wound would lose the power to annoy
him in the least. The Count and Count.
eSS Halfont, Anguish and others came
to cheer him and to make his surround
ings endurable. Still he WAS dissatis-
fed, even unhappy.
The cause Of his uneasiness and de-
preston was revealed only by the
manner>in which it was removed. He
was lying stretched out on the couch,
staring from the window, his head ach-
ing, his heart full Of longing that
knows +Agt one solace. Anguish had
gone out in the grounds afte7- assuring
himself that his charge was asleep. so
there was no one in the room when he
awakened from q sickening dream to
shudder alone over its memory He
turned on his side and curiously felt
the bandages about his head. How
lonely those bandaSes made him feel,
away off there in Graustark.
The door to his room opened softly,
but he did not turn, thinking it was
Ancuish-always Anguish-and not the
one he most desired to
Her royal highness," announced a
maid, and then:
May come in:" asked voice that
went to his troubled soul like cool
inc draft to the fevered throat. He
turned toward her instantly, all the II
ritation, all the Uneasiness. all the
loneliness, vanishing like mist before
the sun. Behind her was lady in
waiting.
Il cannot deny the request OF q prin-
cess he responded, smiling gayly. He
held forth his hard toward her, half
fearing she would not take it.
The Princess Yetive came straight to
his couch and laid her hand in his. He
drew it to his lips and then released 1t
iingeringly. She stood before him,
looking down with an anxiety IN her
eyes that would have repaid him had
death been there to claim his next
breath.
care you better?" she asked, with
her pretty accent Il have been so
troubled about YOU
It thought you had forgotten me" he
said with childish petulance.
Forgotten your she cried, quick to
resent the imputation. Let ne tell
you. then, what have been doing
while forgetting. have sent to the
Regengetz for your luggage and your
friends. You will find it much more
comfortable here. You are to make
this house your home as long as you
are in Edelweiss: That is how have
been forgetting
s.Forcive me! he cried, his eyes
cleaning. 81 have been so lonely that
I imagined all sorts Of things. But,
your highness, you must not expect US
to remain here after I am able to leave.
That would be imposing
81 will not allow you to say it!' she
objected decisively. You are the guest
Of honor in Graustark. Have you not
preserved it's ruler? Was it an impo-
sition to risk your life to save one IN
whom you had but passing interest,
even though she We're poor princess:
No, my American, this castle is yours
in all rejoicing, for had you not come
within its doors today would have
found it in mournful terror. Besides,
Mr.. Anguish has said he will stay a
year if we insist"
THAT'S like Harry" laughed Lorry.
'.But I am afraid you are Glorifylns
two rattle Drained chaps who should
be in a home for imbeciles instead OF
in the castle their audacity might have
blishted. Our rashness was only sur
passed by our phenomenal good luck.
BY chance it turned out well. There
were ten thousand chances Of ignonin-
ious failure. Had we failed would we
have seec guests of honor? No! We
would have been stoned from Grau-
stark. You don't know how thin the
thread was that held your fate. 1t
makes me shudder to think Of the crime
our act might have been. All, had l
but known you were the princess, no
chances should have been taken" he
said fervently.
..And a romance spoiled" she laugh
ed.
80 you are a princess-a real prin-
cess" he went on, as il he had not
heard her. II knew it. Something
told me you were not an ordinary wo-
mau'-
"Oh, but I am very ordinary wo-
man." she demonstrated. You do not
know how easy it is to be q princess
anu ulClC "OI4SII a. lA4S StAAAAN e--AA -
I have q heart, q head; breathe and
eat and drink and sleep and love. Is II
not that way with other women"
You breathe and eat and drink and
sleep and love in different world,
though. your highness."
Zach, my little maid, Therese, sleeps
as sourdly, eats as heartily and loves
as warmly as I, so fg for your Juds,
ment."
You may breathe the same air, but
would YOU love the same man that
your maid might love:'
rs q man the only excuse for love-
she asked. IF SO, then must say thai
T breathe and cat and drink and sleep
and that is ALL
Pardon me, but some day you vii
find that love is man. and'-lere h(
!aughed-.you will neither breathe noI
eat nor sleep except with him in your
heart Even 4 princess is not prooi
against man.
is man proof against a princess:
she asked as she leaned against the
oocoD,nor