The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-07-29

| this fairy spell. pray cast auOut yVui-
self the robe of rank and take up the
scepter. Perhaps | may fall upon my
| face"
"And hurt your head all over again."
she said laughing nervously. She hes
itated for a moment. perplexed frown
crossing her brow. Then she jerked a
rich robe from the back of the throne
and placed il about her shoulders as
only a woman can. Taking up the
scepter. she stood before the great
chair and. with a smile on her lips,
held il above his head, saying softly:
"Graustark welcomes the American
prince"
He sank to his knee before the real
princess, kissed the hem of her robe
and arose with face palld. The chasm
was now endless in its immensely. The
princess gingerly seated herself on the
throne, placed her elbow Oh the broad
arm, her white chin in her hand, and
TRANQUILITY surveyed the voiceless Amer
lean prince.
"YOu have not said Thank you,'
she said finally. her eyes wavering be-
hcblu MS sleduN kults
81 am only thinking how easy it
would be to cross the gulf that lies be-
tween us. With two movements of my
body l can place it before you, with
third l can be sitting at your side. 1t
n not so difficult after ALL" he said,
hungrily eying the broad chair.
mo man. unless a prince, ever sat
upon this throne" she said.
You have called me a prince"
"Oh, jested," she cried quickly, COM
pretending his intention. II forbid
your
Her command came too late, for he
was beside her on the throne OF Grau-
stark. She sat perfectly rigid for
moment, intense fear In her eyes.
''Do you know what you have doneY
she whispered miserably.
"UsuIped the throne" he replied. as
Stunning an ease and complacence he did
not feel. Truly he was guilty of UNI
precedented presumption.
You have desecrated-d esecrated!
| DO you hear?" she went on, paying no
attention to his remark.
"PeccavL All, your highness, de-
| light i'm my sin. For once | am pow
err speak from the throne. You
will not have me abdicate i'm the zenith
of my gloryI BE kind. most gracious
one. Besides. did you not once cry be-
cause your uncle refused to sit with
you? Had he been the possessor of
dangerous wound, as am, and had he
/ aa
stand no longer. | am sure he would
have done as have-sat down in pref
erence TO falling limp at your feet. You
do not know how badly / am wound
81" he pleaded, with the subtlest dou-
! bic meaning.
"Why should you wound meY' she
asked plaintively. You have no right
TO treat the throne occupy as IA sub
ject for pranks and indignities. did
not believe you could be sO-forgetful."
| There was a proud and pitiful resent
ment i'm her voice that brought him to
his senses at once. He had defiled her
throne. In shame and humiliation he
cried
81 am a fool, an migrated You have
despicable act OF mine | cannot ask
pardon, and it would be beneathEou to
grant 1t. have hurt you, and l can
never atone. forgot how sacred is
your throne. Let me depart In dis
grace" He stood erect as IL to fOrsake
the throne he had stained, but she.
swayed by a complete reversal of feel
ing, timldly. pleadingly touched his
arm.
stay! 1t is my throne, after all.
shall divide II, as well as the sin, with
you. Sit down again, | beg OF you.
For a brief spell would rule beside
man who Is fit to be king but who is
desecratOr There can be no harm.
and no one shall be the wiser for this
sentimental departure from royal Gus
tom. We are children anyhow, mere
children"
With an exclamation of delight he re-
sumed his position beside her. His
hand trembled as he took up hers TO
carry ii TO his lips. I'VE are children
playing with fire." he murmured, this
ingrate this fool!
she allowed her hand to lie Imply in
his, her head sinking to the back OF the
chair. When her hand was near his
feverish lips, cool and white and trust
ing. he checked the upward progress.
Slowly he raised his eyes to study her
face, finding that hers were closed, the
semblance of a smile touching her lips
as If they were in happy dream.
The lipsl The lips! The lips! The
madness OF love rushed into his heart;
the expectant hand was forgotten; his
every hope and every desire measured
itself against his discretion as he look
ed upon the tempting face. Could he
kiss those lips but once his life would
be complete.
With a start she opened her eyes,
doubtless at the command Of the mas
terful ones above. The eyes of blue
met the eyes Of gray in a short. sharp
struggle, and the blue went down in
sezoesdAr. His Inns triumnbed SLOWLY.
u.