Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-08-11


which follows the igniting of powder
magazine.
The slim, pale faced princess met the
burly old ruler in the grand council
chamber. He and his mobiles had been
kept waiting but short time. Within
very few minutes after they had been
conducted to the chamber by Count
Halfont and other dignitaries the fair
ruler came into the room and advanced
between the bowling lines of courtiers
to the spot where sat the man who held
Graustark in his grasp.
BolaroZ arose as she drew near, his
gaunt face black and unfriendly. She
extended her hand graciously, and he,
prince for all his wrath, touched his
trembling lips to its white, smooth
back.
court, most glorious Yetive. My bur-
den Of sorrow is greater than 1 can
BEAR" he said hoarsely.
would that could give you conso-
lation," she said, sitting in the chair
reserved for her use at council gather
ings. "lAlas, 1t grieves me that can
offer nothing more than words" Tru-
ly she pitied him in his bereavement
BolaroZ said that he had heard of
the murderer's escape and asked what
effort was being made to recapture
him. Yetive related all that had hap
pened, expressing humiliation over the
fact that her officers had been unable
to accomplish anything, adding that
she did not believe the fugitive could
get away from Graustark safely with
out her knowledge. The old prince
was working himself back into the vio-
lent rage that had been temporarily
subdued, and at last broke out in
vicious denunciation of the careless
ness that had allowed the man to es-
cape. He first insisted that Dangloss
and his incompetent assistants be
thrown into prison for life or executed
Tor criminal negligence; then he de-
manded the life Of Harry Anguish as
an alder and abettor in the flight Of
the murderer. In both cases the prin-
cess firmly refused to take the action
demanded. Then she acquainted him
with her intention to detain Anguish
MS hostage and to have his every ac-
ton watched in the hope that clew to
the whereabouts of the fugitive might
be discovered, providing, of course,
that the friend knew anything at all
about the matter. The Duke of Miz-
rox and others loudly Joined in the cry
for Anguish's arrest, but she bravelY
held out against them and in the end
CURLY informed them that the Ameri.
can, whom she believed to be innocent
Of all completely in the escape, should
be subjected to no indignity other than
detention in the city under guard, as
she had ordered.
81 insist that this man be cast into
prison at once" snarled the white lip-
ped Boiaroz.
you are not at liberty to command
in Graustark, Prince Bolaroz," she said
slowly and distinctly. II am ruler
here"
Bolaroz gasped and was speechless
for some seconds.
"You shall not be ruler long, madam"
he said inadvertently, significantly.
"But am ruler now, and, as such, I
1
my castle. l did not know that l was
to submit to these threats and insults
or should not have been kind enough
to grant you an audience, prince though
you are. When came to this room, it
was to give you my deepest sympathy
and to receive yours, not to be insulted.
You have lost son, my betrothed.
1t i'll becomes you, Prince Bolaroz, to
vent your vindictiveness upon me. My
men are doing all in their power to
capture the man who has so unfortu-
nately escaped from our clutches and
l shall not allow you or any one else to
dictate the manner in which we are to
proceed" She uttered these words
cuttingly and at their conclusion arose
to leave the room.
Bolaroz heard her through in surprise
and with conflicting emotions. There
was no mistaking her indignation, so
he deemed it policy to bottle his wrath,
| overlook the most offensive rebuke his
vanity had ever received and submit
to what was evidently just decision.
| "Stay, your highness, l submit to
your proposition regarding the other
| stranger although | doubt its wisdom.
There is but one In whom I am really
interested-the one who killed my son.
There is to be no cessation in the effort
to find him, am to understand. I
now have proposition. With me are
300 of my bravest soldiers. I offer
them to you in order that you may bet
ter prosecute the search. They will re-
main here, and you may use them in
any way you see fit. The Duke Of A1iz-
rox will! linger in Edelweiss, and with
him you and yours may always confer.
He also is ut your command. This man
must be retaken. I swear by all that
Is above and below me he shall be
found if hunt the world over to &C
complish that end. He shall not es
cape my vengeance!
"And bark you to this: On the Goth OF
next month shall demand payment OF
the debt due AXphain. So deeply is
my heart set on the death of this Gren.
fall Lorry that agree now, before all
these friends of ours, that if he be cap.
tured and executed in my presence be.
fore the Goth OF November Graustark
shall be granted the extension of time
that would have obtained in the event
of your espousal with the man he kill
ed. You hear this offer, all2 1t Is
bound by my sacred word Of honor.
His death before the Goth gives Grau,