Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-10
except with the fugitive, perhaps once
more inside st. Valentines?

except with the fugitive, perhaps once
more inside st. Valentines?
Preparations began at once for the
eventful transaction in the throneroom.
The splendor of two courts was to
shine in rivalry. Ten o'clock was the
hour set for the meeting Of the two
rulers, the victor and the victim. Her
mobiles and her ladies', her ministers,
her guards and her lackeys moved
about in the halls, dreading the hour
brushing against the hated Axphain
guests. In ole of the small waiting
rooms sat the Count and Countess Hal
font, the latter in tears. The young
Countess Dagmar stood at a window
flushed and nervous and acted like
man who expects that which is uneX-
pected by Others With strange con-
fidence in his voice, he sought to cheer
his depressed friends, but the cheerful
ness was not contagious. The sombre-
ness of,a burial hung over the castle.
Half an hour before the time set for
sent for her uncle, her aunt and Dag
mar. As Anguish and the latter fol-
lowed, the girl turned her sad, puzzled
eyes up to the face of the tall Amer
lean and said:
Are you rejoicing over our misfor-
tune? You do not show a particle of
regret. Do you forget that we are sac
riticing great deal to save the life of
your friend? do not understand how
you can be SO heartless.'
Il think can explain satisfactorily
when / have more time" he said soft
ly in her ear, and, although she tried,
she could find no words to continue.
He left her at the head of the stairs
and did not see her again until she
passed him in the throneroom. Then
she was pale and brave and trembling.
Prince Bolaroz and his mobiles stood
to the right of the throne, the Grau-
stark men and women of degree to the
left, while near the door on both sides
We're to be seen the leading military
men of both principalities. Near the
Duke of Mizrox was stationed the fig
ure of Gabriel, prince of Dawsbergen.
He had come, with half dozen follow
ers, among crowd of unsuspecting
Axphainians, and had taken his posi-
ton near the throne. Anguish entered
with Baron Dangloss, and they stood
together near the doorway, the latter
whittier than he had ever been in his
life.
Then came the hush of expectancy.
| The doors swung open, the curtains
parted and the princess entered.
She was supported by the arm of her
tall uncle, Caspar of Halfont. Pages
carried the train of her dress, jew
eled gown Of black. As she advanced
to the throne, calm and stately, those
assembled bent knee to the fairest wo-
man the eye ever had looked upon.
The calm, proud exterior hid the
most unhappy of hearts. The resolute
courage with which her spirit had been
braced for the occasion was remarka-
BILE in more ways than one. Among
other inspirations behind the valiant
show was the bravery Of guilty con-
science. Her composure sustained a
| shock when she passed Abode at the
door. That faithful heartbroken serv-
| ttor looked at her face with pleading,
horror struck eyes, as much as to say !:
Are you going to destroy Graustark
for the sake Of that murderer? Have
| pity on us-have pityw
Before taking her seat on the throne
she swept the thrilled assemblage with
her wide blue eyes. There were shad-
ows beneath them, and there were
wells of tears behind them. As she
| looked upon the little knot of white
faced northern barons her knees trem-
bled and her heart gave fresh throb
of pity. Still the face was resolute.
| Then she saw Anguish and the suffer-
ing Dangloss, then the accusing, mer-
CHESS eyes of Gabriel. At sight Of him
she. started violently, and an icy fear
crept into her soul. Instnctiyely she
searched the gorgeous company for
the captain of the guard. Her stanch-
est ally was not there. Was she to
hear the coRdemning words alone?
Would the people do as Quinno1 had
prophesied, or would they believe GA
briel and curse her?
She sank into the great chair and sat
with staring, helpless eyes, deserted
and feeble.
| At last the whirling brain ended its
fight and settled down to the issue
first at hand-the transaction with Bo-
laroz summoning all her self control,
she said:
You are come, most noble BolaroZ.
to draw from us the price of our de-
feat. We are loyal to our compact, as
you are to yours, sire, yet in the pres
ence of my people and in the name of
mercy and Justice ask you to grant
us respite. You are rich and power
full, we despoiled and struggling be-
meath weight we can lift and dis
place II given few short years in
which to grow and gather strength. AT
this last hour in the fifteen years of
our Indebtedness sue in supplication
for the leniency that you can SO well
accord. 1t is on the advice of my coun.
sellers thar / put away personal pride
and national dignity to make this re
quest, trusting to your goodness OF
heart If you will not hearken to our
| netftinn FIR n renawaJ of nepotia tionS