The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-07-15

est pitch. There were theories lnnu;
merable as 10 the identity Of the arch
conspirator. Baron Dangloss was at
sea completely. lie cursed himself
and everybody else for the hasty and
i'll timed execution Of the hirelings. 1t
was quite evident that the buzzing
wonder and intense feeling of the peo-
pie had for the moment driven out all
thought Of the coming day of judg-
ment and its bitter atonement for all
Graustark. Today the castle was full
Of the nobility, drawn to its walls by
the news that had startled them be-
yond all expression. The police were
at work, the military tremDled with
rage, the people clamored for the ap-
prehension cf the man who had been
the instigatoc cf this audacity. The
general belief was that some brigand
chief from the south had planned the
great theft for the purpose Of securing
4 fabulous ransom. Grenfall Lor1y
had an astonishing theory in bis mind,
and the more he thought it over the
more firmly It was imbedded.
The warnl, blue coils from the cigar
waited awa~ into the night, carrying
with them myriad Of tangled thoughts
of her, of AXphain, Of the abductor,
Of himself, O: everything. A light step
on the stone floor Of the shadowy bal
cony attracted his attention. He turn
ed his head and saw the Princess Ie-
tive. She was walking slowly toward
the balustrade, not aware Of his pres
ence. There was no covering for the
dark hair, no wrap about the white
shoulders. She wore an exquisite gown
Of white, shimmering with the refec-
tions from the moon that scaled the
mountain top She stood at the balus-
trade, her hands clasping a bouquet Of
red roses, her chin lifted, her eyes gaz-
ing toward the mountains crest, the
prettiest picture be had ever seen. The
strange dizziness Of love overpowered
him. How long he reveled in the glory
of the picture he knew not, for it was
as If he looked from dream. At last
he saw her look down upon the roses,
lift them slowly and drop them over
the rail They fell to the ground be-
low. He thought he understood-the
gift Of a prince despised.
They were not twenty feet apart BE
advanced to her side, his hat In one
hand, his stick-the one that felled the
Tiennese-tremblng in the other.
"I did not know you were here" she
exclaimed in half frightened amaze
ment. IT lefG my ladies inside
He was standing beside her, looking
down into the eyes.
'sAnd 1 am richer because Of your ig-
norance," he said softly. II have seen
a picture that shall never leave my
memory-never! It's beauty enthralled,
enraptured. Then saw the drama Of
the roses All, your highness, the
crown is not always mask"
''The roses were-were Of no conse-
Quence," she faltered.
Il have heard how you stand be-
tween two s11itors and that wretched
treaty. Ny heart has ached to tell you
how pity you"
"It is not pity I need, but courage.
Pity will not aid me in my duty, Mr..
Lorry. 1t stands plainly before me,
this duty, bu: I have not the courage
to take it UP and place it about my
neck forever"
''You do not, cannot love this Lo-
renz?" he asked.
Love himw she cried. each, + for
get. You do not know him. Yet I
shall doubtless be his wife" There
was an eternity Of despair in that low,
steady voice.
you shall not! l swear you shall
not!r'
ooh, he is 4 prince! I must accept
the offer that means salvation to Grau-
stark. Why do you make it harder
with torture which you think is kind
ness? Listen to me. Next week I am
to give my answer. He will be here
in this castle. Ny father brought this
calamity upon Graustarll; I must lift
it from the people. What has my hap
piness to do with it?'
Her sudden strength silenced him,
crushed him with the real awakening
Of helplessness. he, stood beside her,
looking up ut the cold monastery,
strangely conscious that she was gaz-
ing toward thu same dizzy height.
''It looks so peaceful up there" she
said at last.
"But so cold and cheeriess," he add
ed drearily. There was another long
silence in which two hearts communed
through the medium Of that faraway
sentinel. "Ttey have not discoTered
clew to the chief abductor, have they?"
he asked in an effort to return to his
proper sphere,
Baron Dangloss believes he has o
clew-a meager and unsatisfactory one,
he admits-and today sent officers to
Ganlook to Investigate the actions Of a
strange man who was there last week,
a man who styled himself the Count Of
Arabazon and who claimed to be Of VI
enna. Some .Austrians had been hunt
ings stays anc bears in the north, how
ever, and it is possible he Is one Of
them" She spoke slowly, her eyes still
bent on the home Of the monks.
your highness, have theory,
bold and perhaps criminal theory, but
you will allow me to tell you why am
possessed Of it, am aware that there
is a Prince Gabriel. 1t is my opinion
that no Tienncse is guilty, nor are the
brigands to be accused of this master
piece in crime. Have you thought how
Tar man may go to obtain his hearts
desire?"
She looked at him instantly, her eyes
wide with growing comprehension, the
solution to the mystery darting into her
mind like 4 fash.
You mean she began, stopping as
If afraid to voice the suspicion.
That Prince Gabriel is the man
who bought your guards and hired
Geddos and Ostrom to carry you to the