The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-07-22
|GRAUSTARk|
-. BY.
GEORGE BARR MCUTchE0N
Copyright. 1901, by Herbert S. Stone 4
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CHAPTER XIII.
UNDER MOON AND MONASTERY.

~NOlk Two udyS LOFTY HNeu InIOuRn
intermittent stages of delight
and dependency. His recovery
from the effects of the blow
administered by Dannox was naturally
rapid. his strong young constitution
coming TO the rescue bravely. He saw
much OF the princess, more of the
Countess Dagmar and made the &C
quaintance of many lords and ladies
for whom he cared but little except
when they chose TO talk of their girlish
ruler The atmosphere Of the castle
was laden with a depression that could
not be overcome by an assimilatcd
gayety.
The princess could not hide the trou
BILE that had sprung up In her eyes.
Her laugh, her gay conversation, her
rare composure and gentle bauteur
were powerless TO drive away the
haunted, worried CLEAN In those ex-
pressive eyes OF blue. LOrry had II on
his tongues end a dozen times during
the next day or so after the counts
narrative to question her about the
condition OF affairs as they appeared
to her.
The Countess Dagmar, when not
monopolZed by the very progressive OF
aggressive Anguish, unfolded 10 Lorry
certain pages in the personal history OF
the princess, and he, Of course, en-
couraged her confidential humOr, al
though there was nothing encouraging
In il for him.
Down by the great fountain, while
the soldiers were on parade, the fair
but volatile countess unfolded 10 Lorry
story that wrenChed his heart so
savagely that anger, resentment, help
lessness and love oozed forth and en-
veloped him i'm multitude Of emotions
that would not disperse.
"She will not mind my telling you,
because she considers YOU the very
best Of men, Mr.. Lorry." said the count
ess. who had learned her English un-
der the Princess Yetive's tutor.
II seems. according TO the very truth
full account given by the lady, that the
princess had il in her power TO save
Graustark from disgrace and practical
destruction. The Prince of AXphain's
son. Lorenz. was deeply enamOred of
her. infatuated by her marvellous beau
ty and accomplishments He had per
suaded his father to consider a matri-
monial alliance with her to be one OF
great value TO Axphain. The old
prince, therefore some months before
the arrival Of the Americans In Grau-
stark sent TO the princess a substitute
ultimatum, couched In terms so polite
and conciliatory that there could be no
installing his sincerity. He agreed 10
give Graustark a new lease of life. as
II were, by extending the fifteen years
or I'm other words, TO grant the con
quered an additional ten years in
which to pay of the obligations i'm
posed by the treaty. He Furthermore
offered Il considerable reduction in the
rate OF interest for the next ten years.
But he had a condition attached to this
good and gracious proposltion-the mar
riage Of Graustark's sovereign. His
ambassador set forth the advantages
Of such an alliance, and departed with
n message that the matter should have
most serious consideration.
The old princes proposition was a
blow to the princess. who was placed
I'm a trying position. BY sacrificing
herself she could save her country, but
in 30 doing her life was to be plunged
into intermnable darkness. She did
not love nor did she respect Lorenz.
who was not favorably supplied with
civilized intelligence.
The proposition was laid before the
cabinet and the nobility by the princess