Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-19
CHAPTER NJ.
LOVE IN A CASTLE


= s the day wore on Lorry grew
"a irritable and restless. BE
~ could not bring himself into
full touch with the situation.
notwithstanding Harry's frequent and
graphic recollcctions OF incidents that
had occurred and that had led to their
present condition. Their luncheon was
served In the counts room. as 1t was
inadyisable for the injured man to go
to the dining hall until he was stronger.
The court physician assured him that
he would be incapacitated for several
days. but that IN n very short time his
wound would lose the power to annoy
him in the least. The Count and Count.
ess Halfont Anguish and others came
to cheer him and to make his surround
ings endurab,e. Still he was dissatis-
fed, even unhappy.
The cause of his uneaslness and de-
preston was revealed only by the
manner in which It was removed. He
was lying stretched out on the couch,
staring from the window. his head acll-
ing, his heart full of longing that
knows but one solace. Anguish had
gone out in the grounds after assuring
himself that his charge was asleep. so
there was no one In the rood when he
awakened from sickening dream to
slhudder alone over its memory. He
turned on his side and curiously felt
the bandages about Ills head. How
lonely these bandages made him feel.
away Off there in Graustark!
The door to his room opened softly.
but he did not turn, thinking 1t was
Anguish always Anguish-and not the
one he most desired to
Her royal highness," announced a
maid, and then:
MAY 1 come in?" asked voice that
went TO his troubled soul like cool
Ing draft to the fevered throat. He
turned toward her instantly, all the ir-
ritation, all the uneusiness, ali the
loneliness, vanishing like mist before
the sun. Behind her was lady in
waiting.
II cannot deny the request of prin-
cess" he responded, smiling gayly. He
held forth his hard toward her, half
fearing she would not take 1t.
The Princess Yetive came straight to
his couch and laid her hand In his He
drew 1t to his lips and then released it
iingeringly She stood before him.
looking down with an anxiety in her
eyes that would have repaid him had
death been there TO claim his next
breath
Are you better?' she asked, with
her pretty accent II have been so
troubled about you
81 thought you had forgotten me-" he
said, with childish petulance.
Forgotten you!' she cried. quick to
resent the imputation. Let me tell
you, then. what have been doing
while forgetting. I have sent to the
Regengetz for your luggage and your
friends. You will find 1t much more
/ comfortable here. You IRE to make
this house your home as long rs you
are in Edelwciss. That is how l have
been forgetting"
Forgive mer' he cried, his eyes
cleaning II have been SO lonely that
imagined all sorts of things. But,
your highness, you must not expect us
to remain here after ! am able to leave.
That would be imposing
81 will not allow you to say it!' she
objected decisively. You are the guest
of honor n Graustark. Have you not
preserved its ruler? Was it an impo-
sition to risk your life to save one in
whom you had but passing interest,
even though she We're u poor princess!
No, my American, this castle Is yours
in all rejoicing, for had you not come
within its doors today would have
found it in mourllful terror Besides,
Mr.. Anguish has said he will stay a
year II we insist
"That's like Harry" laughed Lorry
"But l am afraid you are clarifying