Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-03-10

ed LOrry
Not IN, but mad, fear" answered
she, giving hand to each. "Mr Lor-
~. she bids me say to you that she
cannot see you. She appreciates the
Importance Of your mission and thanks
you for the interest you have taken.
| Also she authorizes me to assure you
that nothing can be done at present re-
gardlng the business on which you
come"
"she refuses to see u.s." said be slow
ly. his face whittier than ever.
''Nay; she begs that you will excuse
her. Her hlghness is sOrely worn and
distressed today, and, fear, cannot en-
i dure all that is happening. She Is ap-
parently calm and composed, but l.
who know her so well, can see the
strain beneath"
Surely she must see the urgency of
quick action In this matter Of ours"
cried Anguish half angrily. eve are
not dogs to be kicked out Of the castle.
We have a right to be treated fairly
1--WE cannot censure the princess,
Harry" said Lorry calmly. I'VE have
come because we would befriend her,
and she sees Gt to reject our good Of
fees There is but one thing left for us
TO dO-depart as we came."
But | don't like 1t a little Bit
growled the other
IF you only knew, Mr.. Anguish, you
would not be so harsh and unjust, re-
monstrated the lady warmly. Turning
to Lorry. she said, "She asked me to
hand you this, and to bid you retain ii
as token Of her undylng esteem"
She handed him small. exquisite
miniature of the princess framed In
gold inlald with rubles. He took II
dumbly In his fingers. but dared not
look Mt the portrait II contained. With
what might have seemed disrespect lie
dropped the treasure into his coat
pocket
"Tell her | shall always retain It as
| token Of her esteem," he said And
now may | ask whether she handed my
note to her uncle, the countP
The countess blushed In most un-
accountable manner.
Not while was with her" she said.
recovering the presence OF mind she
apparently had lost
"She destroyed II, | presume" said
he, laughing harshly.
81 saw her place II in her bosom, sir,
and with the right hand" cried the
countess as If betraylng state secret.
'In her You are telling me the
truthT cried he, his face lighting up.
"Now. see here, Lorry, don't begin to
question the countess word. won't
stand for that" lnterposed Anguish
good humoredy.
Il should be more than base to say
falsely that she had done anything 80
absurd" said the countess Indignantly.
"Where is she now?" asked Lorry
'1n her boudolr. The Prince Lorenz
is with her-alone."
"What' he cried, Jealousy darting
into his existence. lie had never known
Jealousy before.
"They are betrothed," said she, with
an effort. There was n dead silence,
broken by Lorry's deep groan as he
turned and walked bllndly TO the oppo-
site side OF the room. He stopped IN
front Of huge painting and stared at
It, but did not see line or tint.
'You don't mean TO say she has ac-
ceptedi' half whispered Anguish.
Nothing less"
"Thank God, you are only count
ess," he said tenderly.
'Why-why-what difference can It
make-I mean, why do you say that7"
she stammered, crimson to her hair.
Because you won't have to sell your
self at sacrifice" he said foolishly.
Lony came back to them at this juno
ture, outwardly calm and deliberate.
Tell us about 1t, pray, We had
guessed as much,'
"Out there are his people-the wretch
esw she cried Nndctiyely, her pretty
face IN n helpless frown. To-day was
the day You know, on which he was
10 have his answer. lie came and knel.
In the audience chamber. All Grau-
stark had implored her TO refuse the
hated offer. but she babe him rise, and
there, before us all, promised to be
come his bride.
THE greatest sorrow Graustark has
ever known grows out OF that decision
She is determined to save for us what
her fathers folly lost. To do this she
becomes the bride OF vile wretch, u
man who soils her pure nature when
he thinks of her oh, we sought TO dis
suado her-we begged, we entrcated,
but without avail. She will not sacrl-
flee one foot OF Graustark TO save hcr-
self See the triumphant smiles on
their faces-the brutcsw She pointed
malIclously TO the chattcriug visitors
In the hall. Already they think the
castle theirs. The union Of Graustark
and Axphaln-lust what they most de
sired, but we could not make her see it
sow
rs the day sety asked Lorry brave
ly after a moments silent inspection
OF the dark browcd ylctors.
Yes, and there Is TO be no delay.
The marriage contract has already
been signed. The date is Nov. 20, the
day ON which we are to account to
Bolaroz for our war debt The old
princes wedding gift TO GNustark is
TO be document favoring us with a
ten years extension" she said scorn-
fully.
And where Is she to llve7"
Here, OF course, She Is Graustark's =
ruler, and here she Insists ON abiding.
Just contemplate our court, Ovcrrun
with those ANphain dogs! Al, she has
wounded Graustark more than she has
helped hcr."
There was nothing more 70 he said
or done. SO after few moments the
Americans took their departure The
countess bade them farewell, saying
that she must return 10 the princess.
"Ill see you tomorrow" said An.
guiSh with rare ASSURANCE aud the air
OF an old and Indispensable friend.
And you. Mr.. Lorry 2" she said curl.