Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-02-18


b. 90 forbh uou % continue"
b cherish and encouI.s se the nttle nope
that all Is not dead. Your highness, let
me say that my family never knows
when II Is defeated, either in love or IN
war"
"The walls which surround the heart
Of a princess are black and grim, i'm
pencuable when she defends it, my
boasting American" she said, smiling
sadly.
"Yet some prince Of the realm will
batter down the wall and win at q.
/ Jove, I'm sorry for the princess, though!'
Sorry for the princess? WhyT ask
ed the other alert at once.
ooh, just because it's not in her pow
er to be so independent. The countess
SAYS she cries every night when she
thinks Of what the poor girl has to con
tend with"
"Tell me about It,"
81 don't know anything TO tell. I'm
not interested in the princess, and |
didn't have the nerve to ask many ques-
tions. | do know, however, that she is
going to have an unpleae mt matrimo-
NAL alliance forced upon her in some
way"
"That is usual"
That's what l gather from the
countess. Maybe you can pump the
countess and get all you want to know
in connection with the matter. It's a
pretty serious state of aSfairs, | shOulC
say, or she wouldn't be weeping through
sympathy"
Lorry recalled a part of the after.
Moons sweetly dangerous conversation,
and the perspiration stood cold and
damp on his brow.
There was a rap at the door, and An
guish fastened to open it. A servant
presented Count Halfonts compliments
and begged leave to call.
Shall we see the old boy?' asked
Harry.
eyes, yes" responded the other. The
servant understood the sign made by
Anguish and disappeared. diplomat
ic call | suspect"
Gle is the prime minister, | under
stand All, good evening, your excel
lency We are bonored."
The count had entered the room and
was advancing toward the couch, tall
easy and the personlhcatlon of cor
dlality.
81 could not retire until | had salts,
fed myself as to Mr.. Lorry's condition
and his comfort" said he in his broken
English. He seated himself near tho
couch and bent sharp, anxious eyes on
the recumbent figure
"Oh, he's all rlghtw volunteered An
guish readily. BE able to go into
/ battle again tomorrow"
That is the way with you aggressive
Americans, am told They never give
up until they are dead" said the count
courteously. "Your head is betterY
1T does not pain me as it did and
I'm sure III be able to get out tomor
row. Thank you very much for your
interest" said Lorry. "May | inquire
after the health of the Countess Hal
font? The excitement Of last night
has not had an unpleasant effect,
/ hope"
"She Is with the princess, aud bott
| are quite well. Since our war, gentle
| men, Graustark women have nothing
10 acquire in the way of courage and
| endurance. You. OF course, know moth
ing Of the horrors of that war"
but we would be thankful for the
story Of 1t, your eXcellcncy. War is q
hobby Of mine. read every war scare
that gets into print" said Anguish
eagerly.
1--WE OF Graustnrk at present hav,
every reason TO recall the last war and
bitterly to lament its ending The wal
occurred just fifteen years ago-bu'
will the recital tire you, Mr.. Lorry?
came to spend few moments socially
and not to 20 into history. At any
other time l shall be-
1T win please and not tire me.
am deeply Interested Pray, 20 ON.
Lorry fastened TO say. for he was In
tercsted more than the count suspect
ed
Fifteen years ago Prince Ganloob
Of this princlpallty, the father OF ouI
| princess, became iuccnscd over the dep
relations OF the ANphain soldiers VIII,
| patrolled our border ON the north. IL,
demanded restitution for the devasta
tion they had created, hut was refused
| Grausturk is a province comprising
some 500 square miles Of the best lane
In this part Of the world. our neigh
/ bor is smaller In area and population
| our army was better equipped. but moi
/ SO hardy For several months the fight
ing In the north was In our favor, but
| the result was that our forces wer,
| finally driven back to EdelweiSs, hack
ed and battered 10y the fierce thousand,
| that came over the border The nation
was staggered by the shock. for sucl
an outcome had not been considered
/ possible. We had been too confident
/ our soldiers were SICK ana worn by
six months Of hard lighting, and the
men OF EdclwciSs the merchants. the
lahorcrs aud the nobility itselt-dcw &c
arms In defense OF the city. For over
IA month Vp fnuuht hunIr,ls NJ at1,