Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-09-01
GEORGE BARR MccUTcHEoN
81
Copyright, 1901, BY Herbcrt s. Stone

lord duke. Release him from his bond,
your highness."
GLADLY, since you refuse to hold him
to his OATH" she said.
II am under an eternal obligation to
you, sir, for your leniency, and shall
ever revere the princess who pardons
so graciously the gravest error"
Yetiye begged Bolaroz to continue to
make the court his home while in Grau-
Stark, and the old prince responded
with the declaration that he would re-
main long enough to sign and approve
the new covenant at least. Before STEP
ping from the throne Yetive called in
low tones to Lorry. pretty flush man
thing her cheek:
"Will you come to me in half an
hour?"
"For my reward?" he asked eagerly.
"Ach!' she cried softly, rcprovingly.
Count Halfont's face took OH trou-
bled expression as he caught the swift
communication in their eyes. After all.
she was princess.
She passed from the room beside
Halfont, proud and happy in the vic
tory over despair. glorying in the ex-
posture of her heart to the world, her
blood tingling and dancing with the
joys of anticipation. Lorry and An
guish, the wonder and admiration of
all, were given short but convincing
levee in the hallway. Lords and la
Us praised and lauded them, over
whelming them with the homage that
comes to the brave. But Gaspon ut
tered one wish that struck Lorry's
warm, leaping heart like piece of ice,
Would to God that you were a
prince of the realm," said the minister
Of finance, look Of regret and long
Ing in his eyes. That wish of Gaspon'a
sent Lorry away with the sharp steel
Of desolation torturing intensely as it
drove deeper and deeper the reawak-
ened pangs Of uncertainty. There still
remained the fatal distance between
him and the object of his hearts de-
sire.
He accompanied Captain Quinnox to
his quarters, where lie made himself
presentable before starting for the en-
chanted apartment in the far end of
the castle. Love and fear combined to
give him strength; from his eyes fed
the hopeless look. from his brain the
doubt, from his blood the chill.
"Quinnox, give me your hand; don't
mind the blood! You have been my
friend, and you have served her al
most to the death. i injured and
would have killed you in that cell, but
1t was not in anger. VIII you be my
friend in all that Is to follow?"
"She has said that she loves you,"
said the captain, returning the hand
clasp. II am at your service as well
as hers"
A few moments later Lorry was in
her presence. What was said or done
during the half hour that passed be-
tween his entrance and the moment
that brought them side by side from
the room need not be told. That the
interview had had it's serious side was
plain. The troubled, anxious eyes of
the girl and the rebellious. dagged air
Of the man told Of q conflict now only
IN allegiance.
~ will never give you up" he said
as they came from the door. A visit
ful CLEAN tiickered in her eyes, but she
did not respond in words.
Near the head of the stairway an ami
mated group of persons fingered. Har-
ry Anguish was in the center, and the
Countess Dagmar was directly In front
of him, looking up with sparkling eyes
and parted lips. The Count and Count
css Halfont, Gaspon, the Baron Dan
gloss, the Duke of AIizrox, with other
ladies and gentlemen, We're being en-
tertained by the gay spirited stranger.
"Here he Gomes," cried the latter as
he caught sight of the approaching
couple.
II am delighted to see sou, Harry.
You We're the friend in need, old man."
said Lorry, wringing the others hand.
Yetive gave him her hand, her blue
eyes oyeFhowing,
"air. Anguish had just begun to tell
US how he-how he"-- began Dagmar.
but paused helplessly, looking to him
for relief.
10 aueau, countess. 1t isn't very
elegant, but it's the way said it. How
got next to Gabriel is what she
wants to say. Perhaps your highness
would like to know all about the affair
that ended so traglcally. It's very
quickly told" said Anguish.
II am deeply Interested" said the
princess eagerly.
well, in the first place, 1t was all a
bluff" said he coolly.
"a what?" demanded Dagmar.
"Bluff." responded Harry briefly.
American patois, dear countess"
Sin what respect?" asked Lorry. be-
ginning to understand.
I'm all respects. l didn't have the
slightest sign Of proof against the fes-
tive prince"
do understand you to say that you
have no evidence against Gabriel?'
asked Halfont, dumfounded.
"Not a particle"
"But you said his confederate had
confessed" protested pangloss.
Il didn't know that he had confed-
crate, and I wasn't sure that lie was
guilty of the crime" boosted Anguish,
complacently enjoying the stupefaction.
"Then why did you say 500" demand
ed Dangloss, excited beyond measure,
ooh, just guessed at it!'
God save us!' gasped Baron Dan
gloss chief of notice.