Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1903-11-17
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MAID OF GRAusrARx.

| ~ APECIANC4, concern, the
| N dread Of uncertainty marked
| E a the countenances of Grau-
| stark's ministers and her chief
nnen as they sat i'll the council cham
ber on the day following, awaiting the
appearance of their princess, at whose
call they were unexpectedly assem-
bled.
All realized an emergepM. Not one
| in that assembly but had heard the
! vivid, soulful sentence from the throne.
| Not one but wished in secret as Gaspon
and Halfont had wished in open
| speech.
| When the princess entered with the
prime minister they narrowly scanned
the face SO dear to them. After the
| greetings she requested them to draw
chairs about the great table. Seating
herself In her accustomed seat, she
gazed over the circle Of anxious faces
| and realized, more than at any time in
her young life, that she was frail and
weak beyond all comparison. How
, small she was to rule over those strong,
wise men of hers. How feeble the
hand that held the scepter!
''A1y lords" she said, summoning all
her strength Of mind and heart, ~ am
gratified to find you so ready to respond
to the call of your whimsical sovereign.
Yesterday you came with hearts bowed
down and in deepest woe. Today |. as
semble you here that 1 may ask your
advice concerning the events of that
strange day. Bolaroz will do as he has
promised. We are to have the extern
sion papers this afternoon, and Grau-
stark may breathe again the strong,
deep breath of hope. You well remem-
ber my attitude on yesterday. If on
yesterday would not let my kingdom
stand between me and my love, can
not do so today. have called you here
to tell you, my lords, that / have prom
ised to become the wife of the man
who would have given his life for you
and for me-that l love as woman,
not as princess"
The silence of death stole into the
room. Every mans eyes were glued
upon the white face Of the princess,
and none could break the spell. Not a
word was uttered for many seconds.
Then old Caspar's tense muscles re-
laxed and his arms dropped Imply
from their crossed position on his
breast.
"My child, my childw he cried life
lessly. "You cannot do this thingw
"But the people?" cried Gaspon, his
eyes cleaning. You cannot act against
the will of the people. Our laws, natu-
raj and otherwise. prescribe the very
act you have in mind. The American
cannot go upon our throne. No man,
unless he be of royal blood. can share
it with you. If you marry him, the
laws of our land--you know them we'll
will prohibit us from recognizing the
marriage"
Knowing that. my lords, I have
come to ask you to revise our laws.
My throne will not be disgraced by the
man l would have share it with me-"
She spoke as calmly as If she We're
making the most trivial request instead
Of asking her ministers to overthrow
and undo the laws and customs Of ages
and of dynasties.
The law of nature cannot be chang
ed" muttered Caspar as if to himself.
I'm the event that the custom cannot
be changed shall be compelled to re-
linquish my right to occupy the throne
and to depart from among YOU 1t
would break my heart, my lords, to re.
sort to this monstrous sacrifice, but /
love one man first, my crown and my
people after him"
"You would not leave us-you would
not throw aside as despised the crown
your ancestors wore for centuriesg'
cried Gaspon.
The others were staring with open
mouths and icy hearts.
Yes, as much as it would grieve me,
| would do all this" she answered
firmly, not daring to look at her uncle;
Her. heart ached to turn to him with
prayer for forgiveness, but there could
be no faltering now.
II ask you, my lords, to acknowledge
the marriage Of your ruler to Grenfall
Lorry. am to be his wife, but I en-.
treat YOU to grant me happiness with
out making me endure the misery that
will come to me IL desert my fathers,
throne and the people who have wor-
SHIPPED me and to whom am bound BY.
he that cannot be broken. do not
plead so much for the right to rule as I
do.feE4 the. one who may. rule after. Z