Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-08-11
II; * X * X X y, II: * * * * n: * X * * X
Observation-Disclosures +$$*$*<+++
GRAUSTARk
I GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON
CHAPTER XIV.
OFF TO THE DUNGEON.
Copyright, lsol. By Herbert s. Ston


CHAPTER XIV.
OFF TO THE DUNGEON.
"NHE tableau lasted but moment
81 Gabriel advanced few steps
81 his eyes cleaning with jeal'
ousy and triumph. Before him
stood the petrified lovers caught red.
handed. Through her dazed brain
struggled the conviction that he could
never escape. Through his ran the mis-.
cradle realization that he had ruined
her forever. Gabriel Of all men!
II arrive inopportunely," he said
harshly, the veins standing out on his
neck and temples. "Do l intrude?
was not aware that you expected two
your highness." There was no mistak.
ing his meaning. He viciously sought
to convey the impression that he was
there by appointment, clandestine
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 O menacing gleam 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
from the face of the intruder. Now,
may ask you why you are here"
Gabriers wit saved him from death.
He saw that he could not pursue the
course he had begun, for there was
murder In the Americans eye. Like a
fox, he swerved and, with a servile
promise of submission in his glance,
said:
81 thought you were here, my fine
fellow, and l came to satisfy myself.
Now, sir, may l ask why you are
hereg" His fingers twitched and his
eyes were CLASSY with the malevolence
he was subduing.
81 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? Ha, what q priSon!
"Stopw cried Lorry. white to the lips.
The princess was beginning to under
stand. Her eyes grew wide with hor-
ror. her figure Strengthened imperious-
ly and the white in her cheeks gave
way to the red of insulted virtue.
81 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
prince! But you could bring him here
and hide him where no one would
dare to think Of looking for him-in
your apartments
With snarl Of rage Lorry sprang
upon him. cutting short the sentence
that would have gone through her like
the keenest knife blade.
Liar. Dog. I'll kill you for that"
he cried. but before he could clutch the
princes throat Yetive had frantically
seized his arm.
Not that. she shrieked. "Do not
kill him! There must be no murder
here"
He reluctantly hurled Gabriel from
him. the prince tottering to his knees
in the effort to keep from falling. she
had saved her maligner's life. but cour-
age deserted her with the act. Help
lessly she looked into the blazing eyes
of her lover and faltered:
IL do not know what to say or do.
My brain is bursting"
Courage. courage" he whispered
gently.
You shall pay for this" shrleked
Gabriel. "If you are not 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
prisonerp' He started for the door, but
Lorry's pistol was leveled at his head.
IF you move. I'll kill you"
"The world will understand how and
why fell by your hand and in this
room. Shoot" he cried triumphantly.
Lorry's hand trembled. and his eyes
filed with the tears Of impotent rage.
The prince held the higher card.
A 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"
"Herew answered voice at his back.
The prince wheeled and found himself
looking at the stalwart form Of the
captain Of the guard. 81 am surely
privileged to speak now. your high
ness" he went ON. addressing the prin-
cess significantly.
How came you here?" gasped Ga
briel.t
81 brought my prisoner here. Where
should be If not here to guard himT
"When-when did you enter this
room?"
"An hour ago"
"You were not here when came"
81 have been standing on this spot
for an hour. You have been very much
excited. III agree, but it is strange you
did not see me-" lied Quinnox.
Gabriel looked about helplessly, non
plused.
"You were here when l came inF' he
asked wonderingly.
ASK her royal highness." command
ed the captain. smiling.
Captain Quinnox brought the pris'
oner 20 me an hour ago." she said me-
chanically.
ut is a lien cried Gabriel. He was
not here when entered!'
The captain Of the guard LAID q
HOOD EHRM