The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-08-19
CHAPTER NNIE.
OEE TO TILE DUNGEON.

wNuE tablcau lasted but a moment
Is Gabriel advanced q few steps,
E his eyes cleaning with jeal-
ousy and triumph. Before him
stood the petrifed lovers caught red
handed. Through her dazed brain
struggled the conviction that he could
never Escape. Through his ran the mis-
erable realization that he had ruined
her forever. Gabriel Of all men!
Il arrive inopportunely," he said
harshly. the veins standing out on his
neck and temples do intrude? 1
was not aware that you expected two,
Your highness." There was no mlstak-
ing his meaning. He viciously sought
to convey the impression that ne was
there by appointment, q clandesune
visitor in her apartments at midnight.
What do you mean by coming to my
apartment at this hour she stam-
mered. trying to rescue dignity from
the chaos Of emotions. Lorry was
standing slightly to the right and sew
eral feet behind her. He understood
the prince and quickly sought to inter
pose with the hope that he might shield
her from the sting.
.She did not expect me, sir" he said,
and menacing CLEAN came to his
eyes. His pistol was in his hand. Ga
briel saw it. but the staring princess
did not. She could not take her eyes
49, 81, ~ 5,,t1
may ask you why you are here:'
Gabriel's wit saeed him from death.
Ee saw that he could not pursue the
course he had begun, for there was
murder in the Americans eye. Like q
fox, ne swerved and, with servlle
promise Of submission in his glance,
said:
81 thought ycu We're here, my fine
fellow, and I came to satisfy myself.
Now, sir, may ask why you are
here?' His fingers twitcned and his
eyes We're CLASSY with the malevolence
he was subduing.
'I am here as a prisoner" said Lorry
boldly. Gabriel laughed derisively.
"And how often have you come here
in this manner as prisoner? Midnight
and alone in the apartments OF the
princess. the guard dismissed! A pris-
oner. eh? Ia, what a prison!'
''Stopv cried Lorry, white to the lips.
The princess was beginning to under
stand. Her eyes grew wide with hor-
ror, her figure Strengthened imperious-
II and the white in her cheeks gave
way to the red Of insulted virtue.
1'I see 1t ALL You have not been out
side this castle since you left the pris-
on. A pretty scheme! You could not
marry him, could you, eh? He is not q
prince! But you could bring him here
and hide him where no one would
dare to think Of looking for HMM
your apartments
With a snarl Of rage Lorry sprang
upon him, cutting short the sentence
that would have gone through her ike
the keenest knife blade.
Liar! Dog! III kill you for that"
he cried, but before he could clutch the
princes throat Yetive had frantlcally
seized his arm.
s'Not thatv' she shrieked. "Do not
kill him! There must be no murder
herer'
He reluctantly hurled Gabriel from
him, the prince tottering to his knees
in the effort to keep from falling. She
had saved her roaligner's life, but cour-
age deserted her with the act. Help
lessIy she locked into the blazing eyes
Of her lover and faltered:
IL do not know what to say OF do.
My brain is bursting
Courage, courager' he whispered
gently.
s'Eou shall pay for this" shrieked
Gabriel. IF you are not a prisoner you
shall be. There'll be scandal enough in
Graustark tomorrow to start volcano
of wrath from the royal tombs where
lie her fathers. I'll see that you are
prisonerm He started for the door, but
Lorry's pistol was leveled at his head.
''lf you move, I'll kill you"
",rhe world will understand how and
why l fell by your hand snd in this
room. Shootr' he cried triumphantly.
Lorry's hand trembled, and his eyes
filled with the tears OF impotent rage.
The prince held the higher card.
4 face suddenly appeared at the door,
which had been stealthily opened from
without. Captain Quinnox glided into
the room behind the prince and gently
closed the door, unnoticed by the gloat-
er.
"a prisoner?" sneered Gabriel
where is your captor, pray:'
'.Here!!" answered voice at his back
The prince wheeled and found himself
looking at the stalwart form OF the
captain Of the guard. Il am surely
privileged to speak now, your high
ness" he went on, addressing the pcln-
cess significantly.
How came you here:" gasped Ga
briel.
'I brought my prisoner here. Where
should be if not here to guard him."
"When-when did you enter this
room!''
An hour ago."
'You were not here when Gamer
"I have been standing on this spot
for an hour. You have been very much
excited, I'll agree, but it is strange you
did not see me-" lied QuinnoX-
Gabriel looked about helpless!y, non
plused.
"You were here when came in?' he
asked wonderingly.
"Ask her royafhigbncss," command
ed the captain, smiling.
Captain Quinnox brought the pris-
oner to me an hour ago." she said me-
chanically.
''It is a lie" cried Gabriel. "He was
not here when I entered!'
The captain Of the guard laid a
heavy hand on the shoulder Of the
prince and said thrcateningly:
81 was here, and I am here. Have q