Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-08-18
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Observation-Disclosures <>*++*++$%**$
GRAUSTARk
Il ...By...
i GEORGE BARR aMcCUTCHEON
! GEORGE BARR aMccUTcnE0N

II was wrong. but l am willing to
pay the penalty. My love for Lorenz
was greater than my discretion. That
Is my only excuse. but 1t is one you
should not accept" said AIizrox, as
coolly as If announcing the time of day.
Lorry looked first at him and then at
the princess. bewildered and uncertain.
81 have no Ill will against you, my
lord duke. Release him from his bond,
your highness."
"Gladly. since you refuse to hold him
to his OATH" she said.
81 am under an eternal obligation to
you, sir, for your leniency, and shall
ever revere the princess who pardons
so graciously the gravest error"
Yetive begged Bolaroz to continue to
make the court his home while in Grau-
stark, and the old prince responded
with the declaration that he would re-
main long enough to sign and approve
the new covenant at least. Before STEP
ping from the throne Yetive called in
low tones to Lorry. pretty flush man
Ting her cheek:
Twill you come to me IN half an
hour?"
"For my reward ?Y he asked eagerly.
"Achw she cried softly, reprovingly.
Count Halfont's face took on a trou'
bled expression as he caught the swift
communication in their eyes. After all,
she was a princess.
She passed from the room beside
Halfont, proud and happy in the VIC
tory over despair, glorying In the ex-
posure of her heart to the world, her
blood tingling and dancing with the
joys Of anticipation. Lorry and An
guish, the wonder and admiration OF
all, were given short but&onvincing
levee in the hallway. Lords and Ia
dies praised and lauded them, over
whelming them with the homage that
comes to the brave. But Gaspon ut
tered one wish that struck Lorry's
warm, leaping heart like a piece OF Ice.
"Would to God that you were
prince of the realm," said the minister
of finance, a look Of regret and long
ing in his eyes. That wish Of Gaspon's
sent Lorry away with the sharp steel
of desolation torturing intensely as 1t
drove deeper and deeper the reawak-
ened pangs Of uncertainty. There still
remained the fatal distance between
him and tae object of his hearts de-
sire.
He accompanied Captain Quinnox to
his quarters, where he made himself
presentable before starting for the en-
chanted apartment in the far end Of
the castle. Love and fear combined to
give him strength; from his eyes fed
the hopeless look, from his brain the
doubt, from his blood the chill.
"Quinnox, give me your hand; don't
mind the blood! You have been my
friend, and you have served her al
most to the death. injured ana
would have killed you in that cell, but
1t was not IN anger. Will you be my
friend in all that is to follow"
"She has said that she loves you,"
said the captain, returning the hand
clasp. II am at your service as well
Us hers"
A few moments later Lorry was In
her presence. What was said or done
during the half hour that passed be-
tween his entrance and the moment
that brought them side by side from
the room need not be told. That the
interview had had its serious side was
plain. The troubled, anxious eyes OF
the girl and the rebellious, dogged air
of the man told of conflict now only
in allegiance.
81 will never give you up," he said
as they came from the door. A visit
full CLEAN fiickered in her eyes, but she
did not respond in words.
Near the head Of the stairway an AMI
mated group of persons fingered. Har-
ry Anguish was in the center, and the
Countess Dagmar was directly In front
of him, looking up with sparkling eyes
and parted lips. The Count and Count
ess Halfont, Gaspon, the Baron Dan
gloss, the Duke Of Mlzrox, with other
ladies and gentlemen, were being en-
tertained by the gay spirited stranger.
Here he comes" cried the latter as
he caught sight Of the approaching
couple.
81 am delighted to see you, Harry.
You were the friend in need, old man."
said Lorry, wringlng the others hand.
Yetive gave him her hand, her blue
eyes overfowing.
"Mr. Anguish had just begun to tell
us how he-how he'- began Dagmar.
but paused helplessly, looking to him
for relief.
go ahead, countess. 1t isn't very
elegant, but it's the way said it. How
1 got next to Gabriel is what she
wants to say. Perhaps your htghness
would like to know all about the affair
that ended so tragically. It's very
quickly told" said Anguish.
II am deeply interested" said the
princess eagerly.
"Well, in the first place, 1t was all a
bluff" said he coolly.
"a what?" demanded Dagmar.
"Bluff," responded Harry briefly.
american patois, dear countess"
"In what respect?" asked Lorry, be-
ginning to understand.
I'm all respects. didn't have the
slightest sign Of proof against the fes-
tive prince"
"Do understand you to say that you
have no evidence against GabrielF
asked Halfont, dumfounded.
"Not particle"
"But you said his confederate had
confessed" protested Dangloss.
81 didn't know that he had confed'
crate, and l wasn't sure that he was
guilty of the crime" boasted Anguish,
complacently enjoying the stupefacton.
"Then why did you say so?" demand
ed Dangloss, excited beyond measure.
"Oh, Just guessed at it!'
"God save usy'' gasped Baron Dan
gloss. chief Of police.
Guessed at it?" cried Mizrox.
"That's it. It was bold stroke, but
it won. Now, I'll tell you this much:
I was morally certain that Gabriel kill
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