Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-16

the other to the dungeons SAFETY after
his refusal TO leave the castle, and the
other had fought his way to the halls
above. 1t was then that Quinnox
had wit enough TO change front and
drag his prisoner to the place which,
most of all. he had wished to avoid.
1.-THE prisoner" shouted the northern
mobiles, and in an instant the solemn
ihroneroom was wild with excitement.
"Do not sign that decree cried some
one from n far corner.
Here is your man, Prince Bolaroz..
cried a baron.
other.
The princess, white as death and as
motionless, sat bolt upright in her royal
seat.
"Oh." she moaned piteously, and,
Clinching her hands. she carried them
to her eyes as If to shut out the sight.
The Countess Halfont and Dagmar
ran to her side, the latter frantic with
alarm. She knew more than the 9TH
ers.
"Are you the fugitive?" cried DO.
laroz.
81 am Grenfal Lorry. Are you 30.
laroz?"
'"Thc father of the man you murder
ed. All, this is rapture
IL have only TO say to your highness
did not kill your son. swear it, so
help me Cod"
Your highness," cried Bolaroz, step.
ping to the throne. destroy that de-
cree. This brave soldier has saved
Graustark. In an hour your ministers
and mine will have drawn mp n ten
years extension of time, in proper
form. to which my signature shall be
gladly attached. ! have not forgotten
my promise"
Yetivc straightenod suddenly. seized
the pen and fcrCcly began 10 sign the
decree in spite of all and before those
about her fairly realized her intention
Lorry understood and was the first to
snatch the document from her hands
A half written Yetivc. blot and q
long, sputtering scratch of the per
told how near she had come to signing
away the lands of Graustark. forgetfu
of the fact that it could be Of no bene
fit to the prisoner she loved.
"Yetive" gasped her uncle in horror
"She would have signed" cried Gas
pom in wonder and alarm.
Yes, | would have signed.' she ex
claimed. starting to her feet. strong
and defiant. Il could not have saved
his life, perhaps. but | might have
saved him from the cruel injustice tina
that mans vengeance would have in
vented. He is innocent. and l would
give my kingdom to stay the wrong
that will be done
What. You defend the dog" crie'
Boaroz. Seize him, men, l will Sc
that Justice is done. 1t is no girl h
has to deal with now"
stop" cried the princess, the com
mand checking the men. Qulnno,
leaped in front of his charge "He i
my prisoner. and he shall have Justice
Keep back your soldicry, Prince Bola
roz. 1t is lirl you have to deal with
l will say TO YOU all my people ant
yours. that believe him to be innocen
and that l sincerely regret his capture
fortunate as it may he for us. He shal
have fair and n just trial, and ] shal
do all in my power, Prince Bolaroz, t
secure his acquittal."
"W'hy do YOU take this stand, Ye
tive? Why have You tried to shiel
him." cried the heart broken Halfont.
She drew herself to her full heigh
and, sweeping the threatening crow
with challenge in her eyes. cried, III
tones ringing strong and clear abov
the growing tumult:
because | love him."
AS if by magic the room became sue
denly still
"Behold an honest man. I woul
have saved him Mt the cost of my hoI
or. Scorn me if you will, but listen I
this: The man who stands here a.
cused came voluntarily to this castl
surrendering himself to Captain Quiz
nox that he might though innocen
stand between us and disaster. II
was safe from our pursuit. yet return
ed, perhaps to his death For me, Il
You and for Graustark he has dor
this. Is there n man among you WI
would have done as much for his ow
country? Yet he does this for a cou
try to which he is stranger. | mu
commit him to prison once more. But
she cried in sudden fierceness, II pror
Use him now, before the trial, a roy
pardon. Do make my meaning Gle;
to you, Prince Bolaroz?"
The white lips of the old prince cou
frame no reply to this daring speech.
"Be careful what you say, your hig'
ness" cried the prisoner hastily.
must refuse to accept n pardon at II
cost of your honor. 1t is because ! 10y
YOU better than my life that | star
here. ] cannot allow you and your pc
pie to suffer when it is in my power
prevent IT. All that | can ask is fai
ness and justice. | am not guilty, ar
God will protect me. Prince Bolaro
call upon you to keep your promis
am not the slayer of your son, but
am the man you would send to Il
block, guilty or innocent"
AS he spoke the princess droppt
back in the chair, her rash coural
gone. A stir near the doorway II
lowed his concluding sentence, and Il
other American stepped forward, h
face showing his excitement.
your highness," he said II shou
have spoken sooner. My lips were pal
ed and ready to cry out when Prin
Gabriel intcrposed and prevented Il