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

face"
"And hurt your head all over again. y
she said, laughing nervously. She hes
itated for moment, perplexed frown
crossing her brow. Then she jerked a
rich robe from the back Of the throne
and placed it about her shoulders as
only a woman can. Taking up the
scepter, she stood before the great
chair and, with a smile on her lips,
held it above his head, saEing softly:
"Graustark welcomes the American
prince"
He sank to his knee before the real
princess, kissed the hem Of her robe
and arose with face pallid. The chasm
was now endless in its immensely. The
princess gingerly seated herself on the
throne, placed her elbow on the broad
arm, her white chin in her hand, and
TRANQUILITY surveyed the voiceless Amer.
lean prince.
"Iou have not said Thank you,' f."
she said finally, her eyes wa7ering be-
neaIQ Ills STEADY SaZe.
81 am only thinking how easy 1t
would be to cross the gulf that lies be-
tween us. With two movements Of my
body I can place it before you, with a
third I can he sitting at your side. It
is not SO difficult after all," he said,
hungrily eying the broad chair.
NO man, unless a prince, ever sat
upon this throne" she said.
''You have called me prince"
"Oh, jested,' she cried quickly, COM
pretending his intention. 81 forbid
your
Her command came too late, for he
was beside her on the throne Of Grau-
stark! She sat perfectly rigid for a
moment, intense fear in her eyes.
'Do you know what you have done?'
she whispered miserably.
"Usurped the throne" he replied, as
suming an ease and complacence he did
not feel. Truly he was guilty Of un-
precedented presumption.
"You have Observation-Disclosures!
Do you hear" she went on, paying no
attention to his remark.
"Peccavi. All, your highness, de-
light in my sin! For once am a pow
er. I speak from the throne. You
will not have me abdicate in the zenith
Of my glory? Be kind, most gracious
one. Besides, did you not once cry be-
cause Your uncle refused to sit with
you? Had he been the possessor Of a
dangerous wound, as am, and had he
found himself so weak that he could
stand no longer, I am sure he would
have done as I have-sat down in pref
erence to falling limp at your feet. You
do not know how badly I am wound
3D." he pleaded, with the subtlese dou.
BILE meaning.
"Why should you wound me" she
asked plaintively. "You have no right
to treat the throne occupy as sub
ject for pranks and indignities. I did
not believe you could be so-forgeful." !"
There was a proud and pitiful resent
ment in her voice that brought him to
his senses at once. He had defled her
throne. In shame and humiliation he
cried:
81 am a fool, an migrate! You have
been too gentle with me. For this
despicable act of mine I cannot ask
pardon, and it would be beneath you to
grant it. I have hurt you, and I can
never atone. forgot how sacred is
your throne Let me depart in dis
grace" he stood erect as if to forsake
the throne he had stained, but she,
swayed by a complete reversal Of feel
ing, timidly, pleadingly touched his
arm.
"Stay! 1t is my throne, after all. I
shall divide it, as we'll as the sin, with
you. Sit down again, beg Of you.
For brief spell I would rule beside a
man Who is fit to be king, but who Is
a desecrator. There can be no harm,
and no one shall be the wiser for this
sentimental departure from royal Gus
tom. We are children anyhow, mere
children"
With an exclamation Of delight he re-
sumed his position beside her. His