Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-07-07

lmploringly replied. Lorry did not un
derstand their words, but be knew that
she had saved him from death at the
hand of her loyal. erring guard. Al.
lode lowered his gun. bowed low and
turned his back upon the throne.
"He-he would have killed you," she
said tremulously. her face the picture
Of combined agony and relief. She re.
membered the blighting kisses and
then the averted disaster.
"You-what did you say to himT he
asked.
T-I-oh, I will not tell your she
cried.
Il beg Of your
II told him that he was to-was to
put down his gun"
Il know that. but whyT he persist
ed.
"I--ach. to save you. stupid"
"!Iow did you explain the-the"- BE
hesi1atrd generously.
II told him that had not been-that
] lad not BEEN
Say itV'
THAT I had not been-offendedW she
gasped, standing stiff and straight,
with eyes glued upon the obedient
guard.
"You were not" he rapturously cried.
ootA nv,lr IN Ito" oha
cried. turning dercely upon him. Il
shall never forgive you-never! You
must go-you must leave here at once!
Do you heart I cannot have you near
me now; cannot see you again. What
have l given you the right to say Of
me"
"Stop! 1t is as sacred as"-
"Yes, yes; understand! trust you
but you must go! Find some excuse
to give your friend and 60 todayl Go
noww she cried intensely, first putting
her hands to her temples, then to bel
eyes.
Without waiting to hear his remon.
STRANGE, if indeed he had the power to
utter one, she glided swiftly toward
the curtains, allowing him to follow al
his will. Dazed and crushed at the
sudden end to everything, he dragged
his footsteps after. At the door she
spoke in low, imperative tones to the
motionless Allode, who dropped to his
knees and muttered reverential re-
sponse. AS Lorry passed beneath the
hand that held the curtain aside he
glanced at the face Of the man who
had been witness to their weakness.
He was looking straight ahead, and
from his expression it could not have
been detected that he knew there was
q man on earth save himself. In the
-hall she turned to him, her face cold
and pale.
81 have faithful guards about me
now. Allode has said he did not see
you in the throneroom. He will die
before he will say otherwise" she
said, her lips trembling with shame
"By your commando"
"By my request. l do not command
my men to lie."
Side by side they passed down the
quiet hall, silent, thoughtful, the strain
of death upon their hearts.
81 shall obey the only command you
have given, then. This day leave the
castle. You will let me come again-to
see you? There can be no harm
"No! You must leave Graustark at
oncew she interrupted, the tones low.
81 refuse to go! shall remain in
Edelweiss, near you, just so long as l
feel that l may be Of service to you"
81 cannot drive you out as would q
thief" she said pointedly.
At the top of the broad staircase he
held out his hand and murmured:
"Goodby, your highness."
"Goodby," she said simply, placing
her hand in his after moments hest.
tation. Then she left him.
An hour later the two Americans,
one strangely subdued, the other curl.
GUS. excited and impatient. stood be.
fore the castle waiting for the carriage.
Count Halfont was with them, begging
them to remain, as he could see no rea.
son for the sudden leavetaking. Lorry
assured him that they had trespassed
long enough on the courts hospitality
and that he would feel much more COM
Portable at the hotel. Anguish looked
narrowly at his friends face, but said
nothing. He was beginning to under
stand.
LET us walk to the gates. The count
will oblige us by instructing the coach
man to follow" said Lorry, eager to be
off.
ALLOW me to join you in the walk,
gentlemen" said Count Caspar, imme-
diately instructing lackey to send the
carriage after them. He and Lorry
walked Oh together, Anguish lingering
behind, having caught sight Of the
Countess Dagmar. That charming and
unconventional piece of nobility
promptly followed the prime minister's
example and escorted the remaining
guest to the gate.
Far down the walk Lorry turned for
a last glance at the castle from which
love had banished him. Yetive was
standing on the balcony, looking not at
the monastery, but at the exile.
She remained there long after the
carriage had passed her gates bearing
the Americans swiftly over the white
Castle avenue, and there were tears In
her eyes.
CuApTER Wv