Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-06-18

TO take 1t up and place 1t about my
| neck forever"
you do not, cannot love this Lo.
renz?" he asked.
love him." she cried. Zach, 1 for.
get! You do not know him. Yet
shall doubtless be his wife, There
was an eternity of despair in that low,
steady voice.
you shall not! swear you shall
notw
"Oh. he is prince! I must accept
the offer that means salvation to Grau-
stark. Why do you make it harder
with torture which you think IS kind
ness! Listen TO me. Next week l am
to give my answer. lie will be here
in this castle. My father brought this
calamity upon Graustark; I must lift
it from the people. What has my hap
piness to do with it?'
Her sudden strength sllenccd him.
crushed him with the real awakening
OF hcplessness. He stood beside her,
looking up at the cold monastery,
strangely conscious that she was gaz-
Ing toward the same dizzy height.
1T looks so peaceful up there" she
said Mt last.
"But so cold and chccrlcss," he add
ed drearily. There was another long
silence in which two hearts communcd
through the medium of that faraway
sentinel. "'Thcy have not discovered a
clew to the chief abductor. have they 2"
he asked in an effort TO return to his
proper sphere.
"Raron DHngslss believes he has n
ClcW-a mcagCr and unsatisfactory one,
be admits-and today sent officers to
Ganlool, to Investigate the actions of n
strange man who was there last week,
Il man WHO styled himself the Count of
Arabazon and who claimed TO be OF vi.
eEna. Some Austrians had been hunt.
Jugs stays and bears in the north. how.
ever, and it is possible he is one Of
thcm.' She spoke slowly. her eyes still
bent on the homo of the monks.
'Iour hChncss, | have theory. a
bold and perhaps Il criminal theory, but
You will allow me to tell you why am
possessed of ii. | am aware that there
is Il Prince Gabriel. 1t is my opinion
that no Niennesc is guilty, nor are the
brigands to be accused of this MASTER
piece in crime. Have You thought how
far man may go to obtain his hearts
desirci"
She looked ut him instantly. her eyes
wide with growing comprehension. the
solution to tho mystery darting into her
mind like Il flash.
"You mean she hogan. stopping as
If afraid to voice the suspicion.
"That Prince Gabriel is the man
who bought your guards and hired
Godlos and Ostrom to carry you to the
place where he could own you, whether
You would or no." said Lorry.
"But he could never have forced me
to marry him, and l should sooner or
later have exposed him." she whisper
ed argumen;ativeiY. "lIo could not OK
poet ne to he silent and submit To Il
marriage under such circumstances.
He knows that | would denouncc him
even at the altar"
You do hot appreciate my estimate
of thai gentleman"
most Sobbed in an anguish Of fear. Il
see now sec plainly. II was Gabriel,
and he would have done as you say"
\ shuddcr ran through her figure, and
he tcudorly whispered in her ear
"Thc danger is past. He can do no
more your highncss. Wore | positive
that he il the land believe he is
l would hunt him down this night
Her eyes closed happily under his
gaze her hand dropped timidly from
bis arm. and sweet sense of security
filled her soul
Il am not afraid" she murmurcd.
because am here" he asked, bend
ing nearer.
because God can bless with the
same hand that Furnishes" she answer
ed cnigmAtically, lifting her lashcs
again and looking into his eyes with
love at last unmasked. He gives me
n man 10 love and denies me happiness.
He makes of me Il woman. but he does
not unmakc me a princess. Through
you he thwarts a villain; through you
he brushes the innocent. More than
ever | thank YOU for coming into my
life. You. and you alone, guided by the
God who loves and despses me, saved
me from Gabriel"
Il only ask he began eagerly, but
she interrupted.
you should not ask anything, for I
have said cannot pay. l owe to you
all have, but cannot pay the debt
81 shall NOT nonin forrct' he MR.