The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-04-06
parted and the princess entered.

tail uncle, Caspar of Halfont. Pages
carried the train OF her dress, q Jew
eled gown of black. AS she advanced
to the throne, calm ana stately, those
assembled bent II to the fairest wo-
man the eye ever had looked upon.
The calm, proud exterior hid the
most unhappy of hearts. The resolute
courage with which her spirit had been
braced for he occasion was remarka.
bic I'm more ways than one. Among
other inspirations behind the valiant
show was In bravery of n guilty con-
science. Her composure sustained a
shock when she passed Abode Mt the
door. That faithful, heartbroken serv-
itor looked at her face with pleading,
horror struck eyes, as much as to say:
Are you going to destroy Graustark
for the sake Of that murderer? Have
pity on us-haye pityl"
Before taking her e a on the throne
she swept the thrilled assemblage with
her wide blue eye There were shad-
w beneath them, and there were
wells Of tears behind them. AS she
looked upon the little knot Of white
faced northern barons her knees trem-
bled n her heart gave q fresh throb
of pity. Still the face was resolute.
Then she saw Anguish and the suffer-
Ing Dangloss, then the accusing, mer-
CHESS eyes of Gabriel. At sight Of him
she started violently, and an icy fear
crept into her soul Instinctiyely she
searched the gorgeous company for
the captain of the guard. Her stanch-
est ally was not there. Was che to
hear the condemning words alone?
Would the people 10 as Quinnox had
p~rophesied, or would they believe Ga
briel and curse her?
She sank into the great chair and sat
with staring, helpless eyes, deserted
and feeble.
AT last the whirling brain ended its
flight and settled down to the issue
first at hand-the transaction with Bo-
laroz. %Summoning all her self control,
she said:
you are come, most noble Bolaroz,
to draw from us the price OF our de-
feat. We are loyal to our compact, as
you are to yours, sire, yet in the pres
ence of my people and In the name OF
mercy n justice L ask you to grant
us respite. You are rich and power
full, we despoiled and struggling be-
meath n weight we can lift and dis
place If given n few short years in
which to grow and gather strength. At
this last hour In the fifteen years of
our indebtedness 1 sue in supplication
for the leniency hat you can so we'll
accord. 1t Is on the advice of my coun-
selors that 1 put away personal pride
and national dignity to make this re-
quest, trusting to your goodness of
heart. If you will not hearken to our
petition for n renewal Of negotiations,
there Is but n course open to Grau.
stark. We can and will pay oar debt
Of honor"
Bolaroz stood before her, dark and
uncompromising. She saw the futility
Of her plea.
IL have not forgotten, most noble Pc
t%itioner, that you arc ruler here, not 1;
therefore l am in no way responsible
for the conditions which confront you
except that I nm an honest creditor
come for his honest dues. This Is the
goth of November. You have had If
teen years to accumulate enough to
meet the requirements OF this day.
Should 1 suffer for your faults? There
is In the treaty a provision which APP
plies to an emergency of this kind.
Your inability to liquidate in gold does
not prevent the payment OF this honest
debt i'm land, as provided for I'm the
sixth clause of the agreement, All that
part of Grauntark north Of a line drawn
directly from cast to west between the
provinces Of Ganlook and Doswan, q
t,.,g "a nn,,>,.;.t,. "
ragan, Ocswnld. Scsmai md Gattabat.
on You have two alternatives, your
highness. Produce the gold or sign
the decree ccding to AXphnin the lands
stipulated in the treaty. l can grant
no respite"
you knew when that treaty was
framed that we could raise no such
funds In fifteen years." said Halfont,
forgetting himself in his indignation.
Gaspon n other men present approx
ed his hasty declaration.
Am / dealing with the Princess Of
Graustark or with you, sirT" asked Bo-
laroz roughly.
you are dealing with the people Of
Graustark, and among the poorest, I.
I Will sign the decree. There Is moth.
Ing 10 ne Bhlneu Dy appearing 10 you.
The Papers, Gaspon, quick! 1 would
have this transaction finished speed
ily," cried the princess, her cheeks
flushing and her eyes glowing from the
flames of Il burning conscience. The
groan that went up from the northern
mobiles cut her like the slash of n knife.
"Thcrc was II other condition."
said BolarOz hastily, unable to gloat as
he had expected. "The recapture Of
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