The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-04-06
CHAPTER XIV.

"eta JNNh
ousy and triumph. Before him
stood the pctrined lovers caught red
handed. Through her dazed brain
struggled the conviction that he could
never escape. Through his ran the mis-
cradle realization that he had ruined
her forever. Gabriel OF all men!
IL arrive inopportunely," he said
harshly, the veins standing out on his
neck and temples. "Do L intrude? I
was not aware that you expected two,
your highness." There was no mistak-
ing his meaning. He viciously sought
to convey the impression that he was
there by appointment, q clandestine
visitor In her apartments a. midnight.
"What do you mean by coming to my
apartment at this hour2' she STAN
mered, trying to rescue dignity from
the chaos Of emotions. Lorry was
standing slightly to the right and sew
eral feet behind her. BE understood
the prince and quickly sought to inter-
pose with the hope that he might shield
her from the sting.
"She did not expect me, cir" he said,
and q menacing CLEAN came to his
eyes. His pistol was in his hand. Ga
briel saw 1t, but the staring princess
did not. She could not take her eyes
from the face OF the intruder. "Now,
may / ask you why you are here"
Gabriel's wit saved him from death.
He saw hat he could not pursue the
course he had begun, for there was
murder In the Americans eye. Like a
fox, he swerved and, with a servile
promise OF submission in his glance,
said:
II thought you were here, my fine
fellow, and 1 came to satisfy myself.
Now, sir, may 1 ask why you are
here?" His fingers twitched and his
eyes were CLASSY with the malevolence
he was subduing.
II am here as n prisoner" said Lorry
boldly. Gabriel laughed derisively.
"And how often have you come here
IN this name as q prisoner? Midnight
and alone in the apartments of the
princess, the guard dismissed! A pris-
oner, eh? Ha, what n prison!"
"Stop! cried Lorry, white to the lips.
The princess was beginning to under
stand. Her eyes grew wide with hor-
ror, her figure Strengthened im%perious-
ly and the white in her cheeks gave
way to the red of insulted virtue.
III see 1t all! You have not been out
side this castle since you left the pris-
on. A pretty schemes! You could not
marry him, could you, eh? He is not n
prince! But you could bring him here
and hide hin where no one would
dare to think of looking for HMM
your apartments"-
With n snnrl OF rage Lorry sprang
upon him, cutting short the sentence
that would have gone through her like
the keenest knife blade.
Liar! Dog! I'll kill you for thatv'
he cried, but before he could clutch the
princes throat Yetive had frantically
seized his arm.
mot that!" she shrieked. do not
kill him! There must be no murder
here!"
He reluctantly hurled Gabriel from
him, the prince lettering to his knees
I'm the effort to keep from falling. She
had saved her maligner's life, but cour-
age deserted her with the act. Help
lcssly she looked into the blazing eyes
Of her lover and faltered:
IL do not know what to say or do.
My brain is bursting!"
Courage, courage!" he whispered
gently.
You shall pay for this" shrieked
Gabriel. "If you are not n prisoner you
shall be. There'l be scandal enough In
Graustark tomorrow to start a volcano
of wrath from the royal tombs where
lie her fathers. I'll see that you are o
prisonerw He started for the door, but
Lorry's pistol was leveled Mt his head.
"If you move, I'll kill you'll"
1.-THE world will understand how and
why 1 fell by your hand and in this
room. Shootr he cried triumphantly.
filled with the tears Of impotent rage
The prince held the higher card.
A face suddenly appeared at the door,
which had been stealthily opened from
without. Captain Quinnox glided into
the room behind the prince and gently
closed the door, unnoticed by the gloat-
err.
"a p~risoner2" sneered Gabriel.
"Where is your captor, prayT'
"Here" answered q voice at his back.
The prince wheeled and found himself
looking at the stalwart form Of the
! captain Of the guard. ~ am surely
privileged to speak nOw, your high
I ness" lie ven on, addressing the prin.
cess significantly.
| "How came you hereT" gasped Ga.
briel.
II brought my prisoner here. Where
should I be If not here to guard him?"
{ "When-when did you enter this
room?'
"An hour ago"
Hvntt wnra NOT hnra xuInp n aornatp
~ have been standing on this spot
for an hour. You have been very much
excited. III agree. but 1t Is strange you
did not see me-" lied Quinnox.
Gabriel looked about helplessly, non,
pluscd.
"You were here when I came Inf" he
asked wondcringly.
Ask her royal bighDess." command,
ed the captain, smiling.
Captain QuinnOx brought the pris-
oner to me IN bou ago." she said me.
chanically.
ut is q liew cried Gabriel. "He was
not here when j enteredP'
The captain OF the guard laid a
heavy hand on the shoulder of the
prince and said threateningly:
III was here, and I nm here. Have q
care how you speak. Were I to do right
I should shoot o like a dog. You
came like n thief, you insult the ruler