Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-04-28
% 1 ~: ~ @ ~ ~ s " " s ~ RI; ~ X ~ III; * II; ~ ~ M :& * *
&*$$%%S** &*+$++%**$%%$* observation-disclosures
| GRAUS ARK
| - By
GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON
/ COPYRIGHT Herbert s-



stark men and women Of degree to the
left, while near the door on both sides
were TO be seen the leading military
men OF both principalties Near the
Duke OF Mlzrox was stationed the fig
ure OF Gabriel, prince oi Dawsbergen.
He had come, with half dozen follow.
ers, among a crowd OF unsuspectlng
Axphainians. and had taken his posi-
ton near the throne. Anguish entered
with Baron Dangloss. and they stood
together near the doorway, the latter
whittier than he had ever been In his
life.
Then came the hush Of expectancy.
The doors swung open. the curtains
parted and the princess entered
She was supported by the arm Of her
tall uncle, Caspar OF Halfont Pages
carried the train Of her drcss, Jew
eled gown OF black As she advanced
to the throne. calm aud stately. those
assembled bent knee to the fulrest 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 the occnslon was remarka
bic in more ways than one Among
other inspirations behind the valiant
show was the bravery Of a guilty con
science Her composure sustained
shock when she passed Abode at the
door That faithful. heartbrokcn serv-
itor looked at her face with pleading.
horror struck eyes. rs much as TO sny:
Are you going to destroy Graustark
for the sake Of that murdererl Have
pity on us-haye pityr'
Before taking her seat on the throne
she swept the thrilled nssemblage with
her wide blue eyes There were shad-
ows 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 and her heart gave fresh throb
OF pity. SIN the face was resolute.
Then she saw Anguish and the suffer
ing Dangloss then the accusing, mer-
ciloss eyes OF Gabriel. At sight Of him
she started violently, and an ley fear
crept into her soul. Instlnctlyely she
searched the gorgeous company for
the captain Of the guard. Her stanch-
est ally was not there. Was she to
hear the conforming words aone1
Would the people do az Qunnox had
prophesled, or would they believe Ga
brlel and curse her?
She sank Into the great chair and snt
with staring, helpless eyes deserted
and feeble
At last the whlrlng brain ended its
1lght and settled down to the issue
first at hand the transaction with 30
laroz. Summonlng 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, az
you are 70 yours, sire, yet In the pres
ence of my people and In the name OF
mercy and justice ask you TO grant
us respite. You are rich and power
full, we despolled and struggling be.
meath weight we can lift and dis.
lAAAt ~ kANfl ~ lfM HllOlA ours III
which to grow and gather strength At
this last hour In tho fifteen years Of
our Indebtedness | sue I'm suppllcation
for the leniency that you can so well
accord. II is on the advice OF my coun.
selors That | put away personal pride
aud national dignity to make this re.
quest trusting TO your goodness Of
heart II you will not hcarkcn TO our
petition for renewal OF negotiations.
there IA but one course open to Grau
stark. We can and win pay our debt
Of honor"
BOlaroz stood before her, dark and
uncompromislng. She saw the fuully
Of her plea.
81 have not forgotten, most noble pc
titioner, that you are ruler here, not |;
therefore am IN no way responsible
for the conditions which confront you
except that | am an honest creditor
come for HIS honest dues This Is the
10th OF November You have had NJ
teen years TO accumulate enough to
meet the requirements OF this day
Should | suffer for your faultsl There
is IN the treaty provision which ap
piles 10 an emergency OF this kind
Your inability to llquldutc IN gold does
not prevent tho payment OF this honest
debt In land. MS provided for IN the
sixth clause OF the agreement, AN that
part OF Guustark north of n line drawn
directly from east TO west between the
provinces OF Gaulook and poswan, a
tract comprising Doswan, Shellotz, Va
ragnn. Ocswald, Sesmni and Gattabat
ton Aou have two alternatives, your
llghncss, Produce the gold or sign
the decree coding In ANphuin the lands
stipulated IN the treaty. l can grant
no respite"
'Nou knew when that treaty was
framed that wo could raise no such
funds I'm fifteen years" said Ialfont.
forgetting himself IN his Indignation.
Gospon and other men present approy.
ed his hnsty declaration
"Am / dealing with the Princess OF
Groustork or with you. sirG' asked Ro.
hroz roughly.
"lou are dealing with the people oi
Grausiark. and among the poorest. /.
/ viii Sign tAc decree. There is moth.
Ing 10 Doe gained 10y appealing TO you
The papers, Gaspuu quick, l would
have this transaction finished speed.
n.y. cried ,he princess. her checks
flushing ana her eyes glowing from the
ilamcs of burning conscience The