Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-06-06

dor the promotion
YORKVII
Is most precious? Tell me, you who
know all there is Of this approaching
disaster"
II cannot command you to leave
Edelweiss. l can only tell you that
you will have something to answer for
If you stay" said the countess
"Will you help me If I show to you
that l can reach the wreck and save
the one who clings to it despairingly?' y
he asked, smiling, suddenly calm and
confident.
"Willingly, for I love the one who Is
going down in the sea. have spoken
to you seriously, though, and t'"ist
you will not misunderstood me. like
you, and like Mr.. Anguish. You could
stay here forever 80 far as am con-
cerned."
He thought long and intently over
what she had said as he smoked his ci.
gar on the great balcony that night.
He saw in one moment the vast chasm
between the man and the princess; In
the next he laughed at the puny space.
Down on the promenade be could see
the figures of men and women stroll
ingin the moonlight. To his ears came
the occasional laugh Of man, the sil-
very gurgle Of woman. The royal
military band was playing in the stand
near the edge of the great circle. There
were gayety, comfort, charm and secu-
rity about everything that came to his
eyes and ears. Where was she? He
had seen her in the afternoon and had
talked with her, had walked with her.
Their conversation had been bright, but
of the commonplace kind. She had
said nothing to indicate that she re-
membered the hour spent beside his
couch a day or so before; he had ut
tered none of the words that struggled
to rush from his lips-the questions, the
pleadings, the VOWS. Where was she
now? Not in that gay crowd below,
for he had scanned every figure with
the hawks eye; closeted again, no
doubt. with her ministers, wearying
her tired brain, her brave heart into
fatigue without rest.
Her court still trembled with the ex-
citemcnt of the daring attempt OF the
abductors and their swift punishment
Functionaries flocked to Edelweiss to
inquire after the welfare Of the prin-
cess, and indignation was at the high
eat pitch. There were theories innu-
merable as to the identity Of the arch
conspirator. Baron Dangloss was at
sea completely. He cursed himself
and everybody else for the hasty and
Ill timed execution of the hirelings. It
was quite evident that the buzzing
wonder and intense feeling Of the peo-
ple had for the moment driven out all
thought OF the coming day of judg-
ment and Its bitter atonement for all
Graustark. Today the castle was full
Of the nobility, drawn to its walls by
the news that had startled them be-
yond all expression. The police were
at work, the military trembled with
rage, the people clamored for the ap-
prehension Of the man who had been
the instigator Of this audacity. The
general belief was that some brigand
chief from the south had. planned the
great theft for the purpose OF securing
a fabulous ransom. Grenfall Lorry
had an astonishing theory In his mind,
and the more he thought it over the
more firmly it was imbedded.
The warm, blue coils from the cigar
waited away into the night, carrying
with them myriad Of tangled thoughts
of her, Of Axphain, Of the abductor,
Of himself, of everything. A light step
on the stone floor Of the shadowy bal
cony attracted his attention. He turn
ed his head and saw the Princess Ye-
tive. She was walking slowly toward
the balustrade, not aware Of his pres
ence. There was no covering for the
dark hair, no wrap about the white
shoulders. She wore an exquisite gown
Of white, shimmering with the refec-
tons from the moon that scaled the
mountain top. She stood at the balus-
trade, her hands clasping bouquet Of
red roses, her chin lifted, her eyes gaz-
ing toward the mountains crest, the
prettiest picture he had ever seen. The
strange dizziness Of love overpowered
him. How long he reveled in the glory
of the picture he knew not, for 1t was
as If he looked from dream. At last
he saw her look down upon the roses.
lift them slowly and drop them over
the rail. They fell to the ground be-
low. He thought he understood-the
gift Of prince despised.
They were not twenty feet apart. He
advanced to her side. his hat in one
hand, his stick-the one that felled the
Viennese- trembling in the other.
81 did not know you were here" she
exclaimed in half frightened amaze
ment. 81 left my ladies inside"
He was standing beside her, looking
down into the eyes.
"And am richer because Of your ig-
norance," he said softly. II have seen
a picture that shall never leave my
memory-never! Its beauty enthralled,
enraptured. Then l saw the drama Of
the roses. All. your highness, the
crown Is not always mask"
"The roses were-were of no cense-
uuence," she faltered.
81 have heard how you stand be-
tween two suitors and that wretched
treaty. My heart has achcd to tell you
how pity you"
ut Is not pity I need, but courage.
Pity will not aid me in my duty, Mr..