Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-08-18
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MAID OF GRAUsTARK.
~ EXPECTANCY, concern, the
dread of uncertainty marked
the countenances Of Grau.
49, stark's ministers and her chief
men as they sat in the council cham
ber on the day following, awaiting the
appearance OF their princess, at whose
call they were Unexpectedly assem-
bled.
All realized an emergency. Not one
in that assembly but had heard the
vivid. soulful sentence from the throne.
Not one but wished in secret as Gaspon
and Halfont had wished in open
speech.
When the princess entered with the
prime minister they narrowly scanned
the face so dear to them. After the
greetings she requested them to draw
chairs about the great table. Seating
herself in her accustomed seat, she
gazed over the circle Of anxious faces
and realized, more than at any time IN
her young life, that she was frail and
weak beyond all comparison. How
small she was to rule over those strong,
wise men Of hers. How feeble the
hand that held the scepter!
"My lords" she said, summoning all
her strength Of mind and heart, II am
gratified to find you SO ready to respond
to the call Of your whimsical sovereign.
Yesterday you came with hearts bowed
down and in deepest woe. Today as
semble you here that l may ask your
advice concerning the events OF that
strange day. Bolaroz will do as he has
promised. We are to have the extern
sion papers this afternoon, and Grau-
stark may breathe again the strong,
deep breath Of hope. You we'll remem-
ber my attitude on yesterday. II on
Yesterday I would not let my kingdom
stand between me and my love, can
not do so today. I have called you here
to tell you, my lords, that have prom
ised to become the wife Of the man
who would have given his life for you
and for me-that I love as woman,
not as princess"
The silence Of death stole into the
room. Every mans eyes were glued
upon the white face Of the princess,
and none could break the SPELL. Not a
word was uttered for many seconds.
Then old Caspar's tense muscles re-
laxed and his arms dropped Imply
from their crossed position on bis
breast.
"sly child, my childv' he cried life
lessly. "You cannot do this thing"
"But the people" cried Gaspon, his
eyes cleaning. you cannot act against
the will of the people. Our laws, natu.
raj and otherwise, prescribe the very
act you have in mind. The American
cannot 90 upon our throne. No man,
unless he be of royal blood, can share
it with you. II you marry him, the
laws Of our land-you know them well
will prohibit US from recognizing the
marriage"
knowing that, my lords, have
come to ask you to revise our laws.
Ny throne will not be disgraced by the
man would have share 1t with me-"
She spoke as calmly as II she were
making the most trivial request instead
of asking her ministers to overthrow
and undo the laws and customs Of ages
and Of dynasties.
"The law Of nature cannot be chang
ed" muttered Caspar as II to himself.
"In the event that the custom cannot
be changed shall be compelled to re-
linquish my right to occupy the throne
and to depart from among you. 1t
would break my heart, my lords, to re.
sort to this monstrous sacrifice, but
love one man first, my crown and my
people after him."
"You would not leave us-you would
not throw aside as despised the crown
your ancestors wore for centuriesT
cried Gaspon.
The others were staring with open
mouths and icy hearts.
"Yes, rs much as it would grieve me,
would do all this" she answered
firmly, not daring to look at her uncle.
Her heart ached to turn to him with
prayer for forgiveness, but there could
be no faltering now.
81 ask you. my lords, to acknowledge
the marriage of your ruler to Grenfall
Lorry. am to be his wife, but l en-
treat 20. to grant me happiness with
out making me endure the misery Aat
will come to me II desert my fathers
throne and the people who have woe'
SHIPPED me and to whom am bound "
a tie that cannot be broken. ] DO nos
plead so much for the right to rule -
do for the one who may rule after
am gone. want my own to follow mo
on the throne Of Graustark."
Then followed long. animated d.
cussion, growing brighter and more
hopeful as the speakers willing hearts
warmed to the proposition. Lorry was
favorite, but he could not be thsir
prince. Hereditary law prohibited
Many times the princess and her wise
men met and overcame obstacles, huge
at first, minimized In the end, all be.
cause they loved her and she loved
them. The departure from tradition
ary custom, as suggested by the prin'
cess, coupled with the threat to abd1-
cate, was the weightiest yet the most
delicate question that had ever come
before the chief men Of Graustark.
For the hrst time in the history Of the
country a woman was sovereign; for
the first time there had been no direct
male heir to the throne. With the
death of old Prince Ganlook the mas