The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-04-13
GRAUSTARK.
...By...
GEORGE BARR M'cUTCHEON
Copyright. 1901. BY Herbert S. Stone
CHAPTER XVI.

| thE SOSochNS OA
TAHE startling assertion created a
fresh sensation. Sensations had
come so thick and so fast, how
ever, that they seemed compo-
nent parts of one grand. bewildering
climax. The new actor in the drama
held the center of the stage undisputed.
"HarryP' cried Lorry.
prince Gabriel, why do you shake
like a leaf? Ia 1t because you know
what I am going to sayf" exclaimed
Anguish. pointing his finger a~ccusingly
at the astonished Prince OF Dawsber-
gen.
Gabriel's lips parted, but nothing
more than a gasp escaped them. In
voluntarily his eyes sought the door.
then the windows, the peculiar, uncon-
trollable look of the hunted coming in.
to them. Bolaroz allowed his gaze to
leap instantly to that pallid face, and
every aye IN the room followed. Yetive
was standing again, her face glowing.
"An ~accomplice has confessed all. /
have the word Of the man who saw
the crime committed. 1 charge Prince
Gabriel with the murder of his high
ness Prince Lorenz."
With n groan Gabriel threw his
hands to his heart and tottered for
ward, 9loring at the merciless face Of
the accuser.
Confessed! Betrayed" he faltered.
Then he whirled like a maniac upon
his little cotcrie of followers. "Yile
traitorv' he shrieked. "I will drink
your hearts blood!'
With n howl he leaped toward n
Of the men, q dark faced nobleman
named Berrowag. The latter evaded
him and rushed toward the door, cry
ing:
ut Is a lie, a lie! He has tricked
you! I did not confess"
The prince was seized by his friends.
struggling and cursing. A peculiar
smile lit up the face Of Harry Anguish.
II repeat, he Is the assassin
Gabriel broke from the OBTAINING
hands and, drawing a revolver, rushed
for the door.
"Out Of the way! will not be taken
alive!"
Abode met him at the curtains and
grasped him in his powerful arms,
Baron Dangloss and others tearing the
weapon from his hand. The utmost
confusion reigned-women screaming,
men shoutlng-and above all could be
heard the howls of the accused prince.
Let me go! Curse you! Curse you!
I will not surrender! Let me kill that
traitor! Let me at him!' Berrowag
had been seized by willing hands, and
the two men glared at each other, ono
crazy with rage, the other shrinking
with fear.
Dangloss and Abode half carried,
half dragged the prince forward. AS
lie neared Bolaroz and the princess lie
collapsed and became n trembling,
moaning supplinnt for mercy. An.
guish's accusation had struck home.
Prince BolaroZ, I trust you Will not
object if the Princess Yetive substi-
tutes the true assassin for the man
named In your promise to Graustark,"
said Anguish dramatically. Bolaroz,
as if coming from n dream, turned and
knclt before the throne.
Most adorable Yetlve," he said, 81
sue for pardon. l bow low and lay my
open heart before the truest woman In
the world" He kissed the black lace
hem OF her gown md arose. II an
your friend and ally. AXphain and
Grnustark will live nc more with hatred
In their hearts. From you 1 have
learned q lesson In justice and con
stancy."
Prince Gabriel was raving like q
mailman ns the officers hurried hin
and BcrrOwag from the room. A shout
went up from those assembled. Its
echo. reaching the halls. then the gar
dcns. was finally taken up by the wait
ing masses beyond the gates. Tho news
flew like wildfire. Rejoicing such as
had never beer known shook Edel
weiss until the monks on the mountain
looked down I'm wonder.
After the daZcd and happy throng
nbo;:t the throne had henped its ex,
prcssIons OF love and devotion upor
the radiant princess n single figure knelt
in subsection just as she was prcpar
ing to depart. 1t was the Duke of Miz
rox
Your royal h~lghnrss. MizroX Is ready
to pay his forfeit. My life Is yours
lie said calmly. She did not comprc
bend until her uncle reminded her OF
Tic oath MizrOX Ind taken the morn
ing after the murder.
"lIc sworc on his life that you killed
%L.orenz." size said, turning to L.orry.
II was wrong. but ! I'm willing to
pay the penalty. My love for Loren2
was greater than my discretion. That
Is my only excuse, but It Is one you
shOald not accept" said Mizrox, as
coolly us If announcing the time of day
Lorry looked first ut him and then al
the princess, bewildercd and uncertain
~ have no III will against you. my
lord duke. Release him from his bond
your b%ighness."
"Gladly. since you refuse to hold him
to his OATH" she said.
81 am under an eternal obligation tc
you, sir, for your lenlency, and shall
ever reverc the princess who pardons
so graciously the gravest error"
Yetive begged BolaroZ to continue to
make the court his home while I'm Grau'
stark, and the old prince responded
with the declaration that lie would re
main long enough to sign and approve
thp new c%Oyepnnt Mt lpnst Rpforc stcD.