Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-06-06
CHAPTER XIII.

ASNAS~@s~SSs
-OR two days Lorry lived through
intermittent stages Of delight
and despondency. His recovery
from the effects Of the blow
administered by Dannox was naturally
rapid, his strong young constitution
coming 10 tho 5escue bravGly. He saw
much Of the princess, more OF the
Countess Dagmar, and made the ac-
uuaintance Of many lords and ladies
for whom he cared but little except
when they chose to talk Of their girlish
ruler. The atmosphere Of the castle
was laden with q depression that could
not be overcome by an assimilated
gayety.
The princess could not hide the trou-
bic that had sprung up In her eyes.
Her laugh, her gay conversation, her
rare composure and gentle hauteur
were powerless to drive away the
haunted, worried gleam in those ex-
pressive eyes of blue. Lorry had 1t on
his tongues end dozen times during
the next day or 30 after the counts
narrative to question her about the
condition Of affairs as they appeared
to her.
The Countess Dagmar, when not
monopolized by the very progressive or
aggressive Anguish, unfolded to Lorry
certain pages in the personal history OF
the princess, and he, Of course, en-
couraeed her confidential humor, al
though there was nothing encouraging
In it for him.
Down by the great fountain, while
the soldiers were on parade, the fair
but volatile countess unfolded to Lorry
a story that wrenched his heart 80
savagely that anger, resentment, heip-
-lessness and love oozed forth and en-
veloped him In multitude OF emouons
that would not disperse.
"She will not mind my telling you,
because she considers you the very
best of men, Mr.. Lorry," said the count
ess, who had learned her English un-
der the Princess Yetive's tutor.
It seems, according to the very truth
full account given by the Lady, that the
princess. had. it. In her power to save
Graustark from disgrace and practical
destruction. The Prince Of Axphatn's
son, Lorenz, was deeply enamored OF
her. infatuated by her marvellous beau
ty and accomplishments. He had per-
suaded his father to consider matri-
monial alliance with her to be one or
great value to Axphain. The old
prince, therefore, some months before
the arrival Of the Americans In Grau-
stark sent to the princess substitute
ultimatum, couched in terms so polite
and conciliatory that there could be no
mistaking his sincerity. He agreed to
give Graustark a new lease Of life. as
it were, by extending the fifteen years
or, In other words, to grant the con-
ouered an additional ten years In
which to pay off the obligations i'm
posed by the treaty. he furthermore
offered a considerable reduction In the
rate of interest for the next ten years.
But he had condition attached to this
good and gracious proposition-the mar
rage of Graustark's sovereign. His
ambassador set forth the advantages
of such an alliance, and departed with
a message that the matter should have
most serious consideration.
The old princes proposition was a
blow to the princess, who was placed
in a trying position. By sacrificing
herself she could save her country, but
in so doing her life was to be plunged
into interminable darkness. She did
not love nor did she respect Lorenz.
who was not favorably supplied with
civilized intelligence.
The proposition was laid before the
cabinet and the nobility by the princess