Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-16

They smiled sardonically in reply to
the impotent signs of hatred, but they
were glad when the castle gates closed
between them and the vast. dcspairng
crowd. in which the tempest Of revolt
was brewing with unnistakable ener-
gy.
Prince Bolaroz, the Duke of Mizrox
and the ministers were already in the
castle and had been there since the
previous afternoon. In the royal pal
ace the excitement was intense, but 1t
was of the subdued kind that strains
the nerves to the point where control
is martyrdom.
When the attendants went to the
bcdchamber of the princess at o'clock,
as was their wont, they found. to their
surprise, no one standing guard.
The princess was not in her cham
Der, nor had she been there during the
night. The bed was undisturbcd. In
some alarm the two women ran to her
parlor. then to the boudoir. Here they
found her asleep on the divan. attrcd
in the gown she had worn since the
evening before, now crumplcd and
creased, the proof positive of rest
less. miserable night.
Her first act after awakening and
untanging the meshes in her throb-
bling, uncomprchcnding brain was to
send for Quinnox. She could scarcely
wait for his appearance and the assur-
ance that Lorry was safely out Of dan
ger. The footman who had been sent
to fetch the captain was a long time in
returning. She was dressed in her
breakfast gown long before he came in
with the report that the captain was
nowhere to be found. Her heart gave
great throb of joy. She alone could
explain his absence. TO her it meant
but one thing-Lorry's flight from the
castle. Where else could Quinnox be
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 one of the small waiting
rooms sat the Count and Countess Hal
font, the latter in tears. The young
Countess Dagmar stood at a window
with Harry Anguish. The latter was
flushed and nervous and acted ike
man who expects that which is uneX.
pccted by others. With a strange con-
tidence 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
the meeting in the throneroom Yetive
sent for her uncle, her aunt and Dag
mar. AS Anguish and ;he 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 inisfor-
tune: You do not show a particle of
regret. DO you forget that we are sac
rifcing "A great deal to ss-re the life of
your friend! | do not understand how
II 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
rpSSp6 him i'm tho tbrnnnvnnD, Than
she was pale and brave and trembling
Prince Bolaroz and his mobiles stood
to the right of the throne. the Gral-
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 municipalities. Near the
Duke of MizrOx was stationed the fig
ure of Gabriel, prince of Dawsbcrgen.
lie had come, with half dozen follow
ers, among crowd of unsuSpectng
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 10y the arm Of her
tall uncle, Caspar of Halfont. Pages
carried the train of her dress, a jew
elcd gown of black. AS she advanced
TO the throne, calm and stately, those
assembled bent knee to the fairest wo-
man the eye ever mad 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-
bic in more ways than one. Among
other inspirations behind the valiant
show was the bravery of a guilty con
science. Her composure sustained a
shock whep she passed Abode at the
door. That faithful, heartbroken serv-
itor looked at her face with pleading,
Are you going TO destroy Graustark
for the sake of that murderer? Have
pity on us-have pity"
Before taking her seat on the throne
she swept the thrilled asscmblage with
her wide blue eyes. There We're shad-
ows beneath them, and there We're
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 a fresh throb
of pity. Still the face was resolute.
Then she saw Anguish and the suffer
ing DanglOSS then the accusing mer-