The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-04-06

who uttered those words? Speak,"
IT. Gabriel OF Dawshergeni Where
10 the prisoner, madame" rang out tho
voice.
1.-THE man is mad" cried she, sinking
back with a shudder.
"Mad, chr Because L do as 1 did
promise? Behold the queen of per-
Ady! Madam, 1 will be heard. Lorry
is in this c~astle"
"He is madr gasped Bolaroz, the
drst of the stunned spectators to find
his tongue.
There was a connection near the
door. Voices were heard outside.
"You have been duped! insisted Ga
briel. taking several steps toward the
throne. "Your idol Is n traitress, a de-
ceiver! / say he Is here!. She has seen
him! Let her sign that decree If she
dares! I command you, Yetive Of
Graustark, to produce this criminal!'
The impulse to crush the defler was
checked by the sudden appearance Of
two men inside the curtains.
"He is here!' cried a strong voice,
and Lorry, breathlcss and haggard,
pushed through the astonished crowd,
followed by Captain QuinnoN, upon
whose CHASTITY face there were blood
stains.
A shout went up from those assem-
bled, n shout OF JOY. The faces of Dan
gloss and Abode were pictures of as-
constituent and, II must be said, relief.
Harry Anguish staggered, but rccovcr-
ed himself instantly and turned his
eyes toward Gabriel. That worthy's
legs trembled md his jaw dropped.
II have the prisoner, you ~highncss,"
said QuinnoX I'm hoarsc, discordant
tones. He stood before the throne with
his captive, but dared not look his mis-
tress I'm the face. AS they stood there
the story of the night just passed was
told by the condition Of the two men.
There had been n struggle for suprcm-
acy in the dungeon, and the prisoner
had won. The one had tried to hold
the other to the dungeons safety after
his refusal to leave the castle, and the
other had fought his way to the halls
above. 1t was then that Quinnox
had wit enough TO change front and
drag his prisoner to the place which,
most Of all, he had wished to avoid.
1.-The prisoner!' shouted the northern
mobiles, and In an instant the solemn
throneroom was wild with excitement.
"Do not sign that dccrcc!" cried some
n from a far corner.
Here is your man, Prince Bolaroz!"
cried n baron.
equinox has saved us!" shouted an
other.
The princess, white as dcath and rs
motionlcss, sat bolt upright in her royal
seat.
"Oh!' she moaned piteously, and,
clinching her hands, she carried them
to her eyes rs IL to shut out the sight.
The Countess lIalfont and Dagmar
ran to her side, the latter frantic with
alarm. She knew more than the 9TH
ers.
Are you the fugitivci' cried Bo-
laroz.
II am Grcnfall Lorry. Arc you b.
laroZ!"
"Thc father Of the man you murder
ed. All, this is rapturc!"
IL have only to say to your highness
I did not kill our son. / swear it, so
help me God"
"Your highness," cried Bolaroz, step.
ping to the throne, destroy that de-
cree. This brave soldier has saved
Graustark. In an hour your ministers
and mine will have drawn up a ten
years extension of time, In proper
form, to which lily signature shall be
gladly attached. 1 have not forgotten
my promise"
Yetive Strengthened suddenly, seized
the pen and tiercely began TO sign the
decree in spite Of all and before those
about her fairly realized her intention.
Lorry understood and was the first TO
snatch the document from her hants.
A half written Yetivc, n blot and d
long, spluttering scratch Of the pen
told how near she had come to signing
away the lands Of Graustark, forgetful
Of the fact that 1t could be of no bcne-
6t to the prisoner she loved.
"Yetive!" gasped her uncle in horror.
"She would have signed" cried Gas.
pom In wonder and alarm.
Eyes, L would have signed!' she cN-
claimed, starting to her feet, strong
and defiant. 81 could not have saved
his life, perhaps, but I might have
| saved him from the cruel injustice that
| that mans vengeance would have in.
vented. He is innocent, and 1 would
give my kingdom to stay the wrong
that Will be done"
"What! You defend the dog!" cried
Bolaroz. "Seize him, men! L will see
that justice is done. 1t is no girl he
has to deal with now"
"Stop!' cried the princess, the COM
mand checking the men. Quinnox
leaped in front Of his charge. Gle is
my prisoner, and he shall have justice.
Keep back YOU soldiery, Prince Bola-
TOE. 1t Is q girl you have to deal with.
I Will say to you oil, my people and
yours, that 1 believe him to be innocent
and that 1 sincerely regret his capture,
fortunate rs 1t may be for us. He shall
have a fair and n just trial, and 1 shall
do all In my power, Prince BolaroZ, to
secure his acQuIttal."
why do you take this stand, Ye-
tive7 Why have you tried to shield
him?' cried the heart broken Halfont.
She drew herself to her full height,
and, sweeping the threatening crowd
with a challenge in her eyes, cried, the
tones ringing strong and clear above
the growing tumult:
because 1 love him!'
AS If by magic the room became sud
denly still.
"Behold an honest man. / would
have saved him Mt the cost OF my hon.
or. Scorn me II you will, but listen to
| this: The man who stands here NO.