Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-09-04
CHAPTER XVII.

ON THE BALCONY AGAIN.
TN HREE persons in the royal cas-
dread and anxiety of weeks,
fatigued by the sleepless nights
just past, slumbered through the long
afternoon with the motionless, death
like sleep Of the utterly tagged. Ye-
tive in her darkened bedchamber
dreamed with smiling lips Of tall SOL
der and a throne on which cobwebs
multiplied. Grenfall Lorry saw in his
dreams a slim soldier with troubled
face and averted, timid eyes, standing
guard over him with a brave, stiff
back and chin painfully uplifted. Cap
tain Quinnox dreamed not, for his mind
was tranquil in the assurance that ne
had been forgiven by the princess.
While Lorry slept in the room set
apart for him Anguish roamed the
park with happy faced, slender young
lady into whose ears he poured the
history of a certain affection, from the
tender beginning to the distracting
end, and she smiled and trembled
with delight closing not her ears
against the sound Of his voice nor her
heart to the love that craved admis-
sion. They We're not dreaming.
After dinner that evening Lorry led
the princess out into the moonlit night.
The November breezes were soft and
balmy and the shadows deep.
"Let us leave the park to Dagmar
n nd havs IN <ha Galatians Nd he
musicians" said Yetive. There is a
broad portico here, with the tenderest
Of memories. Do you remember a
night like this q month or more ago
the moon, the sentinel and some sor-
rows? I would again stand where we
stood on that night and again look up
to the moon and the solemn sentinel,
but not US we saw them then, with
heartache and evasion"
1.-THE balcony, then, without the old
restrictions" Lorry agreed. II want
to see that dark old monastery again
and to tell you how looked from Its
lofty windows through the chill Of
wind and the chill of life into the fair
est Eden that was ever denied man."
"In an hour, then, will meet you
there"
II must correct you. In an hour you
will find me there"
She left him, retiring with her aunt
and the Countess Dagmar. Lorry re-
manned in the hall with Halfont Prince
Bolaroz, NIizrox and Anguish. The
conversation ran once more into the
ever recurring topic Of the day, Ga
briefs confession. The Prince Of
Dawsbergen was confined in the tower
with his confederate, Rerrowag. Re-
ports from Dangloss late In the after
noon conveyed the intelligence that the
prisoner had fallen into melancholia.
Berrowag admitted to the police that
he had stood guard ut the door while
Gabriel entered the princes room and
killed him as he slept. He described
the cunning, deliberate effort to turn
suspicion to the American by leaving
blood stains.
The other Dawsbergel mobiles, with
the exception Of two who had gone to
the capital of their country with the
news of the catastrophe, remained
close to the hotel. One Of them con-
fessed that but little sympathy would
be felt at home for Gabriel who was
hated by his subjects. Already there
was talk among them Of Prince Dan
tan, his younger brother, as his sue
cessor to the throne. The young prince
was favorite with the people.
Bolaroz was pleased with the out
come Of the sensational accusation and
the consequent removal of complica-
lions which had in reality been un-
pleasant to him.
One feature of the scene in the
throneroom was not discussed, al
though it was uppermost in the minds
Of all. The positive stand taken by the
princess and her open avowal Of love
for the dashing American were never
to be forgotten. The serious wrinkles
on the brow of Halfont and the far
away expression that came frequently
to his eyes revealed the nature of his
thoughts. The greatest problem Of
them all was still to be solved.
AS they left the room he dropped be-
hind and walked out beside Lorry,
rather timidly OBTAINING him until the
others We're some distance ahead.
"You We're closeted with the princess
this morning, Mr.. Lorry, and perhaps
you can give me the information de.
sire. She has called meeting of the
ministers and leading men of the coun-
try for tomorrow morning. Do you
know why she has issued this rather
unusual call? She did not offer any ex-
PLANTATION to me-"
II am only at liberty to say, your ex-
cellency, that it concerns the welfare
of Graustark," answered the other aft
err moments thought They walked
on in silence for some distance.
II am her uncle, sir, but love her as
would love my own child. My life has
been given to her from the day that
her mother my sister. died. You will
grant me the right to ask you plain
question. Have you told her that you
love herr" The counts face was drawn
and white.
II have, sir. loved her before I
knew she was a-princess. AS her pro-
tector it was to you that 1 would have
told the story of my unfortunate love
long ago, bit my arrest and escape
prevented. My love has not been will
ingly clandestine, and it has been in
spite Of her most righteous objections
We have both seen the futility of love
however strong and pure it may be. ]