Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-07-07
II 4; * X Il: * X \, II X X * X * X II: X n, X
/ CRAUSTARk
s GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON
CHAPTER XIV.
GEORGE BARR MccUTcHEON
Copyright. lsol. by Herbert S. ston.

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CHAPTER XIV.
THE EPISODE OF THE THRoNERoOM.
"|K\HIS is the throneroom. Allode!'
The Princess Yetive paused
before two massive doors. II
was the next afternoon, and
she had already shown him the palace
of queen. the hovel of pauper!
Through the afternoon not one word
other than those which might have
passed between good friends escaped
the lips of either. He was all inter
est, she all graciousness. Allode. the
sturdy guard. swung open the doors,
drew the curtain and stood aside for
them to pass. Into the quiet hall she
led him, a princess in gown Of gray,
a courtier in tweeds. Inside the doors
he paused.
"And l thought you were Miss Gug-
genslocker," he said. She laughed with
the glee Of a child who has charmed
and delighted through surprise.
Am l not a feeble mite to sit on
that throne and rule all that comes
within its reach?" She directed his
attention to the throne ut the opposite
end Of the hall. "From its seat calm
ly instruct gray haired statesmen.
weigh their wisdom and pass upon it
as If l were Demosthenes. challenge
the evils that may drive mOnarchs
mad and wonder if my crown is on
straight"
LET me be ambassador from the
United States and kneel at the throne,
your hishness."
u coald not engage in a jest with the
crown my ancestors wore, Mr.. Lorry.
1t is sacred, thou thoughtless Amer
team. Come, we will draw nearer that
you may see the beauty of the work.
manship in that great old chair"
RI stood at the base Of the low,
velve,ed stage on which stood the chair,
with it's high back, its massive arms
and legs a-shimmer in the light from
the lofty windows. 1t was of gold, in
laid with precious stones-diamonds,
rubies, emeralds, sapphires and other
wondrous jewels-a relic of ancient
Graustark.
81 never sit in the center. Always at
one side or the other, usually leaning
my elbow OH the arm. You see, the
discussions are generally so long and
dreary that l become fatigued. One
time--I am ashamed to confess it-I
went to sleep on the throne. That was
long ago. l manage to keep awake
very well Of late. Do you like my
throneroom?
"And to think that it Is yours!'
''It is this room that gives me the
right to be hailed with Long live the
princessr Not with campaign yells
and 'Hurrah for Yetive" How does
that sound? 'Hurrah for Yetive!" She
was laughing merrily.
Don't say it! 1t sounds sacrilegious,
revolving"
"For over three years-since was
eighteen-I have been supreme in that
chair. During the years of my reign
prior to that time sat there with my
Uncle Caspar standing beside me. How
often l begged him to sit down with
me! There was so much room, and he
certainly must have grown tired of
standing. One time cried because he
frowned at me when persisted in the
presence Of great assemblage Of no.
bles from Dawsbergen. 1t seems that
it was u most important audience that
1 was granting but thought more of
my uncle's tired>old legs. l remember
saying through my sobs Of mortifica-
ton that would have him beheaded.
You are to guess whether that startling
threat created CONSERVATION or mirth."
what a whimsical little princess
you must have been, weeping and pout-
ing and going to sleep!' he laughed.
"And how sedate and wise you have
become"
"Thank you. How very nice you
are. | have felt all along that some
one would discern my effort to be dig
nified and sedate. They say am wise
and good and gracious, but that Is to
be expected. They said that Of sover-
eigns as far back as the deluge, I've
heard. Would you really like to see
me in that old chair?" she asked. q
"Ah, you are still woman" he said,
smiling at her pretty vanity. Moth
ing could impress me more pleasantly"
She stepped carelessly and impulsive-
" upon the royal platform, leaned
against the arm of the throne, and with
the charming blush Of consciousness
turned to him with the quickness OF
guilty conscience, eager to hear bis
praise. but fearful lest he secretly con-
demned her conceit. His eyes were
burning with the admiration that
knows no defining. and his breath
came quick and sharp through parted
lips. He involuntarily placed foot
upon the bottom step, as If to spring
to her side.
you must not come up here" she
cried, shrinking back. her hands ex-
tended in fiutterlng remOnstrance. Il
cannot permit that at all"
81 beg your pardon" he cried. "That
Is all the humble plebeian can say.
That l may be more completely under
this fairy spell, pray cast about your
self the robe of rank and take up the
scepter. Perhaps l may fall upon my
face"
"And hurt your head all over again"
she said. laughing nervously. She hes
itated for a moment, perplexed frown
crossing her brow. Then she jerked
rich robe from the back Of the throne
and placed it about her shoulders as
only woman can. TakiE: up the
scepter, she stood before the great
chair and. with smile on her lips,
held it above his head, saying softly:
"Graustark welcomes the American
prince"
He sank to his knee before the real
princess. kissed the hem Of her robe
and arose with face pallid. The chasm
.Ab0rtiOn Prevented