Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-02-15

a 4
this fairy spell. pray cast about your
self the robe of rank and take up the
sceptcr. Perhaps | may fall upon my
face
And hurt your head all over again"
she said. laughing nervously. She hes
itated for moment. Il perplexed frown
crossing he brow. Then she jerked a
rich robe from the back of the throne
and placed il about her shoulders as
only Il woman can. Taking up the
scepter she stood before the great
chair and. with smile on her lips,
held it above his head, saying softly:
'Graustark welcomes the American
prince"
He sank to his knee before the real
princess. kissed the hem of her robe
and arose with face pallid. The chasm
was now endless in its immensely. The
princess gingerly seated herself on the
throne. PA, I'd her elbow on the broad
arm. her white chin in her hand. ana
TRANQUILITY surveyed the voiceless Amer
lean prince.
You have not said Thank you,
she said finally, her eyes wavering be-
meath his steady gaze.
Il am only thinking how easy 1t
would be to cross the gulf that lies De-
tween us. With two movements OF my
body l can place it before you. with Il
third | can be sitting at your side. 1t
is not 50 difficult after ALL" he said.
hungrily eying the broad chair.
NO man. unless a prince, ever sat
upon this throne" she said.
You have called me prince"
ooh. | tested" she cried quickly, COM
| pretending his intention. Il forbid
you"'
Her command came too late. for he
was beside her on the throne of Grau-
stark, She sat perfectly rigid for a
moment. intense fear in her eyes.
do you know what you have done!'
she whispered miserably.
"Usulped the throne" he replied. as
Stunning all ease and complacence he did
not feel. Truly he was guilty of un-
precedented presumption.
"You have desecrat -desecrated
Do you hear?' she went on, paying nc
| attention to his remark.
"Peccavi All, your highness, I de
light in my sin! For once | am pow
err. l speak from the throne. Ior
will not have me abdicate in the Zenitf
of my glory? Be kind, most graciou:
one Besides did you not once cry be
cause your uncle refused TO sit will
you? Had he been the pOssessor Of {
dangerous wound, as l am, and had h'
found himself so weak that he cOUlC
stand no longer. | am sure he would
have done as | have-sat down in pref
erence to falling limp at your feet. Yol
do not know how badly l am wound
ed" he pleaded, with the subtlest dor
BILE meaning.
"Why should you wound me-" sh
asked plaintiyely. You have no RICH
to treat the throne 1 occupy as a sui
ject for FRANKS and indignities. | di
not believe you could be so-forgetful.
There was proud and pitiful resen
ment in her voice that brought him
his senses at once He had defled he
throne. In shame and humiliation
cried:
Il am a fool. an migrate! You hav
been too gentle with me. For TIL
despicable act of mine l cannot as
pardon. and it would be beneath you
grant it. l have hurt you. and l ca
never atone. 1 forgot how sacred
your throne. Let me depart in di
grace" He stood erect as if to forsak
J the throne he had stained, but sh
swayed by Il complete reversal of fee
ing, timidly, pleadingly touched h
arm.
Stay! 1t is my throne. after all.
, shall divide it. as well as the sin, wit
, you. Sit down again, | beg of 20
5 For brief spell l would rule beside
5 man who is fit to be king. but who
: desecrator. There can be no harI
and no one shall be the wiser for til
sentimental departure from royal Gu
tom. We are children anyhow, me
) children"
t With an exclamation of delight he T
/ sumed his position beside her. II