The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-09-09
nave not roreorren

s.a,.,y a,tacneu. nave not rorgorreh
my promise"
Yetive Strengthened suddenly, seized
the pen and fercely -tsaan to sign the
decree in spite of az End before those
about her fairly realized her intention.
Loriy understood and was the first TO
snatch the document from her hands.
A half written Yetive. a blot and a
long, spluttering scratch of the pen
told how near she had come to signi nc
away the lands of Graustark. forgetful
of the fact that it could be of no bene-
fit TO the prisoner she loved.
"Netivew gasped her uncle in horror.
"She would have signed" cried Gas.
pom in wonder and alarm.
Yes | would have signed!' she ex-
claimed. starting to her feet. strong
and defiant II could not have saved
his life. perhaps, but | might have
saved him from the cruel injustice that
that mans vengeance would have in.
vented. He is innocent. and | would
give my kingdom to stay the wrong
that will be done"
what, You defend the dogr cried
Bolaroz. "Seize him, men! l will see
that justice is done. 1t is no girl he
has to deal with now"
'Stopw cried the princess, the COM
mand checking the men. Quinnox
leaped in front of his charge. "He is
my prisoner. and he shall have justice.
Keep back your soldiery. Prince Bola-
roz. 1t is a girl you have 10 deal with.
l will say TO you all. my people and
yours. that believe him TO be innocent
and that | sincerely regret his capture.
fortunate as it may be for us. He shall
have fair and just trial, and shall
secure his acquittal"
why do you take this stand, Ye-
tive? Why have you tried TO shield
him 2" cried the heart broken Halfont
She drev,A 'erself to her full height,
and, sweel.Ig the threatening crowd
with challenge in her eyes. cried, the
tones ringing strong and clear above
the growing tumult:
Because love himr'
As if by magic the room became sud-
denly still.
Behold an honest man. would
have saved him at the cost of my hon
or. Scorn me if you will. but listen to
this The man who stands here ac-
cused came voluntarily to this castle,
surrendering himself to Captain Quin-
nOX that he might, though innocent,
stand between us and disaster. He
was safe from our pursuit, yet return
ed, perhaps to his death. For me, for
you and for Graustark he has done
this. Is there a man among you who
would have done as much for his own
country? Yet he does this for a cOun-
try TO which he is stranger. | must
commit him to prison once more. But"
she cried in sudden fierceness II prom
pardon. DO make my meaning clear
to you, Prince BOlaroz"
The white lips of the old prince could
frame no reply TO this daring speech.
"Be careful what you say. your high
ness!" cried the prisoner hastily. Il
must ANAhHN W tANNN ~ a lsAAhRA 81 NA'N
cost of your honor. 1t is because | love
you better than my life that | stand
here. | cannot allow you and your peo-
pie TO suffer when it is in my power to
prevent it. All that | can ask is fair
ness and justice. | am not guilty. and
God will protect me. Prince Bolaroz.
l call upon you to keep your promise.
| am not the slayer Of your son, but
am the man you would send to the
block. guilty or innocent"
As he spoke the princess dropped
back in the chair. her rash courage
gone. A stir near the doorway fol-
lowed his concluding sentence, and the
other American stepped forward, his
face showing his excitement.
"Your highness," he said. IL should
have spoken sooner. My lips were part
ed and ready to cry out when Prince
Gabriel interposed and prevented the
signing of the decree. Grenfall Lorry
did not kill the young prince. l can
nroduce the guilty. manr'