The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-02-10
CHAPTER XIV.
ii EPISODE OF IL TuRoNERooM.
"HwAHIS is the throneroom. Allodep

before two massive doors. 1t
was the next afternoon, and
she had already shown him the palace
of n queen, the hovel of a pauper!
Through the afternoon not one word
other than those which might have
passed between good friends escaped
the lips Of either. He was all inter
est, she all graciousness. Abode, the
sturdy guard, swung open the doors,
drew the curtain and stood aside for
them to pass. Into the quiet hall she
led him, Il princess in n gown of gray,
a courtier in twccds. Inside the doors
he paused.
and / thought you were Miss Gug-
genslocker," he said. She laughed with
the glec of Il child who has charmed
and delighted through surprise.
Am l not Il feeble mite to sit on
that throne and rule all that comes
within its reach?" She directed his
attention to the throne at the opposite
end of the hall. "From it's seat calm
~ instruct gray haired statesmen,
weigh their wisdom and pass upon it
as If l were Demostlicnes, challenge
the evils that may drive monarchs
a and wonder IL my crown Is OH
straight"
"Let me be ambassador from the
United States and kneel at the throne.
your highness."
Il could not engage in n Jest with the
crown my ancestors wore, Mr.. Lorry.
1t is sacred, thou thoughtlcss Amer.
lean. Come, we will draw nearer that
you may see the beauty of the work
manship in that great old chair"
They stood at the base of the low.
velveted stage on which stood the chair,
with its high back, it's massive arms
and legs a-shimmer III the light from
the lofty windows. 1t was of gold. in
laid with precious stoncs-diamonds.
rubies, cmcralds, sapphircs and other
wondrous jewels-a relic of ancient
Graustark.
81 never sit III the center. Always at
one side or the other, usually leaning
my elbow OH the arm. You see. the
discussions are generally so long and
dreary that L become fatigucd. One
time-I am ashamed to confess i'll
went to sleep on the throne. That was
long ago. L manage to keep awak
very we'll Of late. DO you like my
thrOneroomf"
And to think that it is yours!r
1t Is this room that gives me the
right to be hailed with Long live the
princess! Not with campaign yclls
II l1urrah for Yetiver How docs
that sound? 'Hurrah for Yetive!" She
was laughing merrily.
"DOn't Soy I'll II cn,,,1, ,,o:Iot
revoltingw
"For over three y~cars-sincc I was
eighteen-I have been supreme in that
chair. During the years of my reign
prior to that time / sat there with nv
Uncle Caspar standing beside mo. How
often 1 begged him to sit down with
me! There was so much room. and he
standing. One time l cried because he
frowned at me when / persisted in the
of a great asscmblage of no.
bles from Dawsbcrgen.. 1t seems II Il
it was n most important audience that
/ was granting. but 1 thought more Of
my uncle's tired old legs. L remember
saying through my sobs of mortitica-
ton that / would have him beheaded.
You are to guess whether that startling
threat created CONSERVATION or mirth."
"What q whimsical little princess
you must have been, weeping and pout-
ing and going to sleep!' he laughed.
"And how sedate and wise you have
become!"
"Thank you. How very nice you
are. 1 have felt all along that some
one would discern my effort to be dig
niied and sedate. They say 1 am wise
and good and gracious, but that IS to
be expected. They said that Of sover-
eigns as far back as the deluge, I've
heard. Would you really like to see
me In that old chairf" she asked.
"Ah, you are still a woman" he said,
smiling at her pretty vanity. Moth
ing could impress me more pleasantly"
She stepped carelessly and impulsive"
ly upon the royal platform, leaned
against the arm Of the throne, and with
the charming blush of consciousness
turned to him with the quickness of n
guilty conscience, eager to hear his
praise, but fearful lest he secretly con-
demned her conceit. His eyes were
burning with the admiration that
knows no defining, and his breath
came quick and sharp through parted
lips. He involuntarily placed a foot
upon the bottom step, as If to spring
to her side.
"You must not come up hereV' she
cried, shrinking back, her hands ex
tended in huttering remonstrance. ~
cannot permit that at allW
IL beg your pardon" he cried. "That
ia all the humble plebeian can say.
That 1 may be more completely under
this fairy spell, pray cast about your
self the robe of rank and take up the
scepter. Perhaps I may fall upon my
face"
sand hurt your head all over again.
she said, laughing n%ervously. She hes
itated for a moment, a %perpleXed frowr
crossing her brow. Then she jerked @
rich robe from the back of the throne
and placed 1t about her shoulders as
only a woman can. Taking up the
scepter, she stood before the great
chair and, with q smile On her lips
held 1t above his head, saying softly:
"Graustark welcomes the American
prince"
He sank to his knee before the rea
princess, kissed the hem of her robe
and arose with face pallid. The chasm
was now endless in it's immensely. The
princess glngerly seated herself on tn,
throne, placed her elbow ON the broat
arm, her white chin in her hand, AM
TRANQUILITY surveyed the voiceless Amer
lean prince.
"You have not said aThank you.'