Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-08-11

funds in fifteen years." said Halfont,
forgetting himself In his indignation.
Gaspon and other men present approx.
ed his hasty declaration.
"Am 1 dealing with the Princess Of
Graustark or with you, sir" asked Bo-
laroz roughly.
"You are dealing with the people Of
Graustark, and among the poorest, !.
I will sign the decree. There Is moth.
ing to be gained by appealing to you.
The papers, Gaspon, quick! would
have this transaction finished speed
ily," cried the princess, her cheeks
flushing and her eyes glowing from the
flames of burning conscience. The
groan that went up from the northern
mobiles cut her like the slash of knife.
"There was one other condition."
said Bolaroz hastily, unable to gloat as
he had expected. "The recapture Of
the assassin who slew my son would
have meant much to Graustark. 1t Is
unfortunate that your police depart
ment is so inefficient" Dangloss writh-
ed beneath this thrust Yetive's eyes
went to him for an instant sorrowfully.
Then they dropped to the fatal docu-
ment which Gaspon had placed on the
table before her. The lines ran to-
gether and were the color Of blood.
Unconsciously she took the pen in her
nerveless fingers. A deep sob came
from the breast Of her gray old uncle,
and Gaspon's hand shook like leaf as
he placed the seal Of Graustark on the
table, ready for use.
"The assassin's life could have saved
you," went on Bolaroz, a vengeful
glare coming to his eyes.
She looked up and her lips moved as
II she would have spoken. No words
came, no breath, 1t seemed to her. Cast
ing n piteous, hunted glance over the
faces before her, she bent forward and
blindly touched the pen to the paper.
The silence was that Of death. Before
she could make the first stroke harsh
voice, in which there was combined tri-
umph and amazement, broke the still
ness like the Changing Of bell.
"Have you no honor"
The pen dropped from her fingers as
the expected condemnation came. In
sheer desperation. her eyes flashing
with the intensity Of defiant guilt, bit
ter rage yelling up against her perse-
cutor, she half arose and cried:
"Who uttered those words? Speak"
81, Gabriel Of Dawsbergen! Where
is the prisoner, MADAME" rang out the
voice.
"The man Is madw cried she, sinking
back with shudder.
"Mad, eh? Because do as l did
promise? Behold the queen Of per-
fdy! Madam, will be heard. Lorry
is in this castle"
"He is madw gasped Bolaroz, the
first of the stunned spectators to find
his tongue.
There was commotion near the
door. Voices were heard outside.
"You have been duped" insisted Ga
briel. taking several steps toward the
throne. "Your idol is traitress, de-
ceiver! say he is here! She has seen
him. Let her sign that decree II she
dares. I command you, Yetive Of
Graustark, to produce this criminal"
The impulse to crush the defiler was
checked by the sudden appearance OF
two men inside the curtains.
"He is herew cried q strong voice,
and Lorry, breathless and haggard,
pushed through the astonished crowd,
followed by Captain Quinnox. upon
whose CHASTITY face there were blood
stains.
A shout went up from those assem-
bled, a shout Of Joy. The faces Of Dan
gloss and Abode were pictures Of as
tonishment and, 1t must be said, relief.
Harry Anguish staggered, but recover
ed himself instantly and turned his
eyes toward Gabriel. That worthy's
legs trembled and his jaw dropped.
81 have the prisoner, your highness."
said QuinnOx in hoarse, discordant
tones. He stood before the throne with
his captive, but dared not look his mis-
tress in the face. AS they stood there
the story of the night just passed was
told by the condition Of the two men.
There had been struggle for suprem-
acy in the dungeon. and the prisoner
had won. The one had tried to hold
the other to the dungeons safety after
his refusal to leave the castle, and the
other had fought his way to the halls
above 1t was then that QuinnoI
had wit enough to change front and
drag his prisoner to the place which,
most Of all. he had wished to avoid.
1.-THE prisoner" shouted the northern
mobiles, and in an instant the solemn
throneroom was wild with excitement
"Do not sign that decree! cried some
one from a far corner.
Here is your man, Prince Bolarosr
cried baron.
"Quinnox has saved usl" shouted an.
other.
The princess, white as death and as
motionless, sat bolt upright in her royal
seat
"Oh! she moaned piteously, and,
clinching her hands, she carried them
to her eyes as II to shut out the sight
The Countess Halfont and Dagmar
ran to her side, the latter frantic with
alarm. She knew more than the 9th.
ers.
"Are you the fugitiveT cried Bo.
laroz.
81 am Grenfall Lorry. Are you Bo-
laroz?"
"The father of the man you murder.
ed. All, this is rapture"
II have only to say to your highness
did not kill your son. l swear It, 30
help me God"
Your highness," cried Bolaroz, step.
ping to the throne, destroy that de-
cree. This brave soldier has saved
Graustark. In an hour your ministers
and mine will have drawn up ten
years extension of time, In proper
form, to which my signature shall be
gladly attached. have not forgotten
my promise"
Yetive Strengthened suddenly. seized
the pen and fiercely began to sign the
decree in spite Of all and before those
about her fairly realized her intention.
Lorry understood and was the frst to
snatch the document from her hands.
A half written Yetive, blot and
long, spluttering scratch Of the pen
told how near she had come to signing
away the lands of Graustark, forgetful