Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-06-23

full touch with the situation,
Notwithstanding Harry's frequent and
graphic recollections of incidents that
had occurred and that had led to their
present condition. Their luncheon was
served in the counts room, as 1t was
inadvisable for the injured man to go
to the dining hall until he was stronger.
The court physician assured him that
he would be incapacitated for several
days. but that in very short time bis
wound would lose the power to annoy
MIN In the least. The Count and Count.
ess Halfont, Anguish and Others came
to cheer him and to make his surround
ings endurable. Still he was dissatis-
fed, even unhappy.
The cause of his uneasiness and de-
preston was revealed only by the
manner in which it was removed. He
was lying stretched out on the couch,
staring from the window, his head ach-
ing, his heart full Of longing that
knows but one solace. Anguish had
gone out in the grounds after assuring
himself that his charge was asleep. SO
there was no one in the room when he
awakened from sickening dream to
shudder alone over its memory. He
turned on his side and curiously felt
the bandages about his head. How
lonely those bandages made him feel,
away Off there in Graustark!
The door to his room opened softly,
but he did not turn, thinking it was
Anguish-always Anguish-and not the
one he most desired to
"Her royal highness," announced q
maid, and then:
MAY come I'M" asked voice that
went 10 his troubled soul like a cool
ing draft to the fevered throat. He
turned toward her instantly, all the IT,
ritation, all the uneasiness, all the
loneliness, vanishing like mist before
the sun. Behind her was lady In
waiting.
II cannot deny the request Of prin-
cess" he responded, smiling gayly. He
held forth his hand toward her, half
fearing she would not take 1t.
The Princess Yetive came straight to
his couch and laid her hand in his. He
drew 1t to his lips and then released 1t
iingeringly. She stood before him,
looking down with an anxiety In her
eyes that would have repaid him had
death been there to claim his next
breath.
"Are you betterT she asked, with
her pretty accent. II have been 80
troubled about you."
81 thought you had forgotten me-" he
said, with childish petulance.
Forgotten you" she cried. quick to
resent the imputation. "Let me tell
you, then, what l have been doing
while forgetting. l have sent to the
Regengetz for your luggage and your
friends. You will find it much more
comfortable here. You are to make
this house your home as long as you
are in Edelweiss. That is how / have
been forgetting"
Forgive me!' he cried, his eyes
cleaning. IT have been 80 lonely that
l imagined all sorts Of things. But,
your highness, you must not expect Us
to remain here after am able to leave.
That would be imposing
81 will not allow you to say It'll! she
objected decisively. "You are the guest
Of honor in Graustark. Have you not
preserved its ruler2 Was 1t an impo-
sition to risk your life to save one In
whom you had but passing interest,
even though she were poor princess3
No, my American, this castle Is yours
in all rejoicing, for had you not come
within its doors today would have
found it in mournful terror. Besides,
Mr.. Anguish has said he will stay a
year If we insist"
"That's like Harry" laughed Lorry.
"But l am afraid you are glorifying
two rattle Drained chaps who should
be in a home for imbeciles instead or
in the castle their audacity might have
blighted. Our rashness was only sur
passed by our phenomenal good luck.
BY chance it turned out well. There
were ten thousand chances Of ignomin-
ious failure. Had we failed would we
have geen guests Of honor7 No! we
would have been stoned from Grau-
stark. You don't know how thin the
thread was that held your fate. It
makes me shudder to think Of the crime
our act might have been. All, had /
but known you were the princess, no
chances should have been TAKEN" he
said fervently.
"And romance spoiled" she laugh
ed.