Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-09-04
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MAID OF 0RAUsTARK.

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MAID OF aRAusTARK.
dread of uncertainty marked
the countenances Of Grau-
stark's ministers and her chief
men as they sat III the council cham
Der on the day following, awaiting the
appearance of their princess, at whose
call they were Unexpectedly assem-
bled.
All realized an emergency. Not one
in that assembly but had heard The
vivid, soulful sentence from the throne.
Not one but wished in secret as Gaspon
and Halfont had wished in open
speech.
When the princess entered with the
prime minister they narrowly scanned
the face SO dear to them. After the
greetings she requested them to draw
chairs about the great table. Seating
herself in her accustomed seat, she
gazed over the circle of anxious faces
and realized, more than at any time in
her young life, that she was frail and
weak beyond all comparison. How
small she was to rule over those strong,
wise men of hers. How feeble the
hand that held the scepter!
"My lords" she said, summoning all
her strength of mind and heart, II am
gratified to find you SO ready to respond
to the call Of your whimsical sovereign.
Yesterday you came with hearts bowed
down and in deepest woe. Today l as
semble you here that I may ask your
advice concerning the events Of that
strange day. Bolaroz will do as he has
promised. We are to have the extern
sion papers this afternoon, and Grau-
stark may breathe again the strong,
deep breath of hope. You well remem-
Der my attitude on yesterday. If on
yesterday would not let my kingdom
stand between me and my love, I can
not do so today. have called you here
to tell you, my lords, that have prom
ised to become the wife Of the man
who would have given his life for you
and for me-that 1 love as woman,
not as Il princess"
The silence Of death stole into the
room. Every mans eyes were glued
upon the white face of the princess,
and none could break the spell. Not a
word was uttered for many seconds.
Then old Caspar's tense muscles re-
Taxed and his arms dropped Imply
from their crossed position on his
breast.
my child, my child" he cried life-
lessly- "You cannot do this thingr'
but the people?" cried Gaspon, his
eyes cleaning. you cannot act against
the will Of the people. Our laws, natu-
raj and otherwise, prescribe the very
act you have in mind. The American
cannot go upon our throne. No man,
unless he be Of royal blood, can share
it with YOU. If you marry him, the
laws Of our land-you know them we'll
will prohibit us from recognizing the
marriage"
Knowing that, my lords, 1 have
come to ask you to revise our laws.
Ny throne will not be disgraced by the
man l would have share it with me-"
She spoke as calmly as If she were
making the most trivial request instead
of asking her ministers to overthrow
and undo the laws and customs of ages
and Of dynasties.
1.-THE law of nature cannot be chang
ed" muttered Caspar as If to himself.
I'm the event that the custom cannot
be changed | shall be compelled to re-
hnquish my right to occupy the throne
and to depart from among you. 1t
would break my heart, my lords, to re-
sort to this monstrous sacrifice, but
love one man first, my crown and my
people after him."
"You would not leave us-you would
not throw aside as despised the crown
your ancestors wore for centuriesy
cried Gaspon.
The others We're staring with open
mouths and icy hearts.
Yes, as much as it would grieve me,
I would do all this" she answered
firmly, not daring to look Mt her uncle,
Her heart ached to turn to him with a
prayer for forgiveness, but there could
be no faltering now.
# ask you, my lords, to acknowledge
the marriage of your ruler to Grenfalli
Lorry. | am to be his wife, but en-
treat you to grant me happiness with
out making me endure the misery that
will come to me if desert my fathers
throne and the people who have wor-
shipped me and to whom am bound by
4 tie that cannot be broken. I do not
plead so much for the right to rule as
do for the one who may rule after I
am gone. want my own to follow me-
on the throne of Graustark."
Then followed long animated dis
cussion, growing brighter and more
hopeful as the speakers willing hearts
warmed to the proposition. Lorry was
favorite, but he could not be their
prince. Hereditary law prohibited,
Many times the princess and her wise
men met and oyercame obstacles, huge
at first, minimized IN the end, all be-
cause they loved her and she loved
them. The departure from tradition
airy custom, as suggested by the prin-
cess, coupled with the threat to abdi-
cate, was the welghtiest yet the most
delicate question that had ever come
before the chief men of Graustark.
For the first time in the history of the
country woman was sovereign; for
the first time there had been no direct
male heir to the throne. With the
death of old Prince Ganlook the mas
culine side of the illustrious family
ended. No matter whom his daughter
took for husband, the line was bro
ken. WHY not the hold nroprassive