Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-21
CHAPTER XIII.
UNDER MOON AND MONASTERY.

"Olt TWO Guys LOFTY ANeo SitVuSu
intermittent stages of delight
and dependency His recovery
from the effects Of the blow
administered by Dannox was naturally
rapid, his strong young constitution
coming to the rescue bravely. lie saw
much OF the princess. more of the
Countess Dagmar, and made the ac-
auaintance of many lords and ladies'
for whom he cared but little except
when they chose to talk of their girlish
ruler The atmosphere of the castle
was laden with depression that could
gayety.
The princess could not hide the trou-
BILE that had sprung NO in her eyes.
Her laugh. her gay conversation, her
rare composure and gentle hauteur
were powerless to drive away the
haunted. worried CLEAN in those ex-
pressive eyes of blue. Lorry had 1t on
his tongues cnd dozen times during
the next day or so after the counts
narrative to question her about the
condition of affairs us they appeared
to her.
The Countess Dagmar. when not
monopol!zed by the very progressive or
aggressive Anguish, unfolded to Lorry
certain pages in the personal history OF
the princess. and he. of course, en-
couraged her confidential humor, al
though there was nothing encouraging
In 1t for him.
Down by the great fountain. while
the soldiers were on parade, the fair
but volatile countess unfolded to Lorry
story that wrenched his heart SO
savngely that anger, resentment, help-
lessness and love oozed forth and en-
yeloped him in multitude Of emotions
that would not disperse.
"She will not mind my telling you.
because she considers you the very
best of men, MIR Lorry." said the count
ess, who had learned her English un-
der the Princess Yetiyes tutor.
1t seems. according to the very truth
full account given by the lady, that the
princess had it in her power to save
Graustark from disgrace and practical
destruction The Prince of AXphain's
son, Lorenz. was deeply enamored OF
her, infatuated by her marvellous beau
ty and accomplishments. He had per
suadcd his father to consider matri-
monial alliance with her to be one OF
great value to Axphain. The old
prince, therefore, some months before
the arrival of the Americans In Grau-
stark sent to the princess substitute
ultimatum, couched in terms so polite
and conciliatory that there could be no
installing hi. sincerity. He agreed to
give Graustark new lease of life, as
it were, by extending the fifteen years
or. in other words. to grant the con-
auered an additional ten years In
which to pay off the obligations i'm
posed by the treaty. he Furthermore
offered IA considerable reduction in the
rate of interest for the next ten years.
But he had condition attached to this
good and gracious proposition-the mar
rage of Graustark's sovereign. HIS
Ambassador set forth the advantages
of such m alliance. and departed with
n messag, that the matter should have
most serious consideration
The old princes proposition was a
blow to the princess, who was placed
in a trying position. BY sacrificing
herself she could save her country. but
in SO doing her life was to be plunged
into interminable darkness. She did
not love nor did she respect Lorenz.
who was not favorably supplied with
civilized intelligence.
The proposition was laid before the
cabinet and the nobility by the princess