Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-07-14
GEORGE BARR AfscuYeae0H
CHAPTER XII
Copyright, 1901. BY Herbert s. Stone

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CHAPTER XII
A.E,R sip IT'S eaSssoynNeAe.
EAfeEk Sbs femaYed 10 8nether
poaan 3aaoee X6neA a. she had
peoinlsed
After they had dIned the two
strnngers We're LETT alone for several
hours. Anguish RECALLED his friend
with an enthusiasts dissertation on
the charms Of the Countess Dagmar,
lady in waiting to the princess. In
conclusion he said glowingly. his cigar
having been out for half an hour or
more because his energy had been
spent in another direction:
You haven't seen much OF her, Lor-
ry, but tell you she Is rare. And
she's not betrothed to any of these con-
founded counts or dukes either. They
all adore her. but she's not committed.p
"How do You know all this7" de-
a,anded Lorry. who but half heurd
through his dreanls.
Asked her. of COURSE. How In thun.
der do yoa sapposei.
.And you've known her but dayl
Well, you are progressive,''
"Oh, perfectly natural conversation,
you KNOW" explained Anguish COM
posedIy. "She began 1t by asking me
IL were married. mud said wasn't
even engaged. Then asked her IL she
were married. You see, from the title,
you cart tell whether a countess is
married or single. She said she wasn't,
and promptly and very properly ex-
pressed my amaxement. By Jove, she
has a will and mind OF her own, TINT
young woman has! She's not going to
marry until she finds man of the
right sort, which is refreshing. like
to hear girl talk like that. especially
q pretty girl who can deal in princes,
counts and ali kinds OF nobility when
comes to matrimonial trade. By
love, I'm sorry for the princess, thought
Sorry for the pripcess2 Why7' ask.
ed the other, alert at once.
-Oil just because it's not in t,er pow,
er to be 50 independent, The countess
says she cries every night when she
thinks OF what the poor girl has to CON
tend with
'Iell me about it
~ don't know anything 10 telk I'm
not Interested In the princess, and
didn't have tile nerve to ask many ques
tons. do know, however, that she Ii
going to have an unpleasant matrimo
NAL alliance forced upon her In somx
| way
"That Is usuaAs
That's what I gather from tfs
countess. Maybe you Gun pump TIKI
countess and get all you want to know
in connection with the matter. It's ,
pretty serious state OF affairs, ] shoult
say, or she wouldn't be weeping thtougl
j sympathy,
Loryy recalled q part Of the after
npQas eHaetlB dangerous conversation
aad *le pisa$ion stood cold AM
yssla q. ~ at t.tp1 looSy end a N
gNtsh haste1ed 10 open It: 4 servan
presented Count Halfont's compliment
and begged leave to coll.
"Slall we see the old boy5Y aslseS
Harry.
Yes Fes4 1eaposaaed he otAeI TIN
se2Asa age6fpea ha sign maze b,
Anguish and disappeared. na6n1af
ic call. suspect
He lH the pEilm}ss minister. I under
stand. Al, good evening, your excel
| tency! We.are bonored."
The count had entered tie room ant
was advancing toward the couch, tall
easy and the persanttieation Of cor
diality.
~ could not retire until had salts
fed myself as to Mr.. Lorry's condition
and his comfort" said he in his broker
English. He seated himself near thu
couch and bent sharp, ANXIOUS eyes OF
the recumbent figure.
"Oh, he's all rightv' volunteered An
guish readily. BE able to 60 int,
battle again tomorreW."
i!a:hat is ths way way with you aggressiv
Americans, am told. They never Civ,
UP until they are Dead" said the coun
/ courteously. 'Your head IS better?''
i ut does not pain me as it did, an,
i I'm sure I'll be able to get out ton,ol
4 row. Thank you very much for you
Interest" said Lorry. May inquir
/ after the health Of the Countess Hal
font? The excitement Of last nigh
has not had an unpleasant effect,
hope"
"She Is with the princess. and bot
are quite well. Since our war, gentle
men, Graustark women have nothin
to acquire in the way Of courage an
endurance. You, of course, know nott
| ing of the horrors of that war;
But we would be thankful for th
story of 1t, your excelleYcy. War ID
hobby Of mine. i read every war scar
that gets into print" said Angus
eagerly.
I'VE OF Graustark at present hav
every reason to recall the last war an
bitterly to lament its ending. The wa
occurred just fifteen years ago bu
will the recital tire you, Mr.. Lorryq
como to spend q few moments sonall
and not to 60 into history. At an
other time shall be
1T will please and not tire me.
am deeply interested. Pray, so on,
, Lorry fastened to say, for he was ii
terested more than the count suspec
ed.
Fifteen years ago Prince Ganloo
of this principally, the father Of OF
princess. became incensed over the del
relations Of the Axphain soldiers WI
patrolLed our border on the north. a
demanded restitution for the devast,
ton they had created, but was refuse,
: Graustark is province comprisln