The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-08-12


the bursting of hearts. She sanctioned
all this because she loved Lorry and
because he had done no wrong.
Aware Of her financial troubles and
pursuing the advantage that his rivals
death had opened to him, Prince Ga
briel Of Dawsbergen renewed his ar
dent suit. Scarce had the body OF the
murdered prince left the domain be-
fore lie made his presence marked.
knowing that be was in truth the mys-
terious Michael who had planned her
abduction, she feared and despised him,
get dared make no public denuncla-
ton. AS Dawsbergen was too power
ful to be antagonized at this critical
time, she was constantly forced to sub
nit to the most trying and repulsiTe
Of ordeals Tact and policy were re-
quired to control the violent, hot blood
cd young ruler from the south. Day aft,
er day he haunted the castle, persist
ent in his efforts to induce her to ac-
cept his proposition. So fierce was bis
passion, so implacable his desire, that
he went among the people Of Edel-
weiss, presenting to them his proposal,
hoping thereby to add public feeling
to his claims He tried to organize a
committee Of citizens to go before the
princess with the petition that his offer
be accepted and the country saved.
But Graustark was loyal to its prin-
cess. Not one Of her citizens listened
to the willy prince, and more than one
told him or his emissaries that the loss
Of the whole kingdom was preferable
to the marriage he desired. The city
sickened at the thought.
His last and master stroke in the
struggle to persuade came on the after,
noon Of the 18th, at an hour when all
Edelweiss was in gloom and when the
princess was taxed to the point where
the mask Of courage was so frail that
she could scarce hide her bleeding soul
behind It.
Bolaroz Of Axphain, to quote from
the news dispatch, was in Edelweiss,
guest, with a few Of his lords, in the
castle. North of the city were en-
camped 5000 men. He had come pre-
pared to cancel the little obligation OF
fifteen years standing. With the hated
creditor in the castle, his influence Lov'
ering above the town, the popuiace dis
tracted by the thoughts Of the day to
come, Gabriel played what he ccnsid-
cred his best card. he asked for and
obtained final interview with Yetve,
not In her boudoir or her reception
room, but in the throncroom, where
she was to meet Bolaroz in the morn
ing.
The princess, seated on her throne,
awaited the approach Of the resource
full, tenacious suitor. He came, and be-
hind him strobe eight sta!wart men
bearing a long iron bound chest, the
result of his effort with his bankers.
Yetive and her mobiles looked in sur
prise on this unusual performance.
Dropping to bis knee before the throne,
Gabriel said, his voice trembling slight
II with eagerness and fear:
"Your h1ghness, tomorrow will see
the turning point in the history Of two,
possibly three, nations-Graustark, Ak
phain and Dawsbergen. l have includ-
ed my own land because its ruler is
most vitally interested. he would
serve and save Graustark, as you
know, and he would satisfy Axphain.
It is in my power to give you aid at
this last, trying hour, and I implore
you to listen to my words Of sincerest
friendship--yes, alteration. Tomorrow
you are to pay to Prince Bolaroz over
25,0OO,0OO gayvos or relinquish the en-
tire north half Of your domain. I un-
derstand the lamentable situation. You
can raise no more than 15,OO0 900, and
you are helpless. He will grant no e2-
tension of time. You know what I
have proffercd before. I come today to
repeat my friendly offer and to give
unquestioned bond as to my ability to