The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-07-29
CHAPTER XIV.

before two massive doors. IL
was the next afternoon, and
she had already shown him the palace
of a queen, the howell OF pauper!
Through the afternoon not one word
other than those which might have
passed between good friends escaped
the lips of either. He was all inter
est, she all graciousness. Abode, the
sturdy guard, swung open the doors.
drew the curtain and stood aside for
| them to pass. Into the quiet hall she
led him, a princess in a gown Of gray.
a courtier in tweeds. Inside the doors
he paused.
And thought you were Miss Gug-
genslocker." he said She laughed with
| the glee Of child who has charmed
and delighted through surprise.
Am | not feeble mite to sit on
| that throne and rule all that comes
within its reach?' She directed his
attention to the throne at the opposite
end OF the hall. From its seat calm
ly instruct gray haired statesmen
weigh their wisdom and pass upon ii
as II were Demosthenes, challenge
the evils that may drive monarchs
mad and wonder If my crown is on
straight"
Let me be ambassador from the
United States and kneel at the throne.
tour highness."
IL could not engage In jest with .he
crown my ancestors wore, Mr.. Lorry.
1t is sacred, thou thoughtless Amer
lean. Come. we will draw nearer that
you may see the beauty Of the work
manship in that great old chair
They stood at the base Of the low,
velveted stage on which stood the chair,
with its high back. its massive arms
and legs a-shlmmer in the light from
the lofty windows. Ii was Of gold, in
laid with precious stones-diamonds
rubies. emeralds, sapphires and other
wondrOus jewels-a relic of ancient
Graustark.
II never sit in the center. Always at
one side or the other, usually leaning
my elbow on the arm. You see, the
discussions are generally so long and
dreary that | become fatigued. One
time-I am ashamed to confess It'll
went to sleep on the throne. That was
long ago. manage TO keep awake
very well OF late. Do you like my
throneroomY
And to think that IL is yoursv
"It is this room that gives me the
right TO be hailed with Long live the
princess Not with campaign yells
and 'Hurrah for Yetiver How does
that sound? 'Hurrah for Yetive!" She
was laughing merrily.
Don't say ii! 1t sounds sacrilegious,
revoltingr
For over three years-since | was
eighteen have been supreme in that
chair During the years of my reign
prior 10 that time | sat there with my
| Uncle Caspar standing beside me. How
often begged him TO sit down with
me! There was so much room. and he
certainly must have grown tired of
standing one time / cried because he
frOwned at me when | persisted In the
presence Of a great assemblage Of no.
bles from DawsbPrgen. 1t seems that
IL was a most important audience that
was granting, but | thought more of
my uncle's tired old legs. remember
saying through my sobs of mOrtifica-
tiOn that would have him beheaded.
You are to guess whether that startling
threat created CONSERVATION or mirth."
what a whimsical little princess
you must have been. weeping and pout-
ing and going TO sleep" he laughed.
And how sedate and wise you have
become"
THANK you. low very nice you
are. l have felt all along that some
one would discern my effort TO be dig
nified and sedate. They say am wise
and good and gracious, but that is TO
be expected. They said that of sover-
eigns as far back as the deluge, I've
heard. Would you really like TO see
me in that old chairT she asked.
"Ah, you are still a woman" he said,
smiling at her pretty vanity. Moth
ing could impress me more pleasantly"
She stepped carelessly and impulsive-
ly upon the royal platform, leaned
against the arm of the throne, and with
the charming blush of consciousness
turned TO him with the quickness of n
guilty conscience, eager TO hear his
praise. but fearful lest he secretly con-
demned her conceit. His eyes were
burning with the admiration that
knows no defining, and his breath
came quick and sharp through parted
lips. lie involuntarily placed a foot
upon the bottom step, as if to spring
10 her side.
You must not come up herew she
cried. shrinking back, her hands eI-
tended i'm fluttering remOnstrance. Il
cannot permit that at allw
81 beg your pardon" he cried. THAT
is all the humble plebeian can say.
That | may be more completely under