Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-23
.(1rauStark
.-'--------
BY GEORGE BARR M'cuTcHEoN
Copyrighted. 1901, by Herbert S. stone.

ut is this room that gives me tn
right 10 be hailed with Long live the
princcssr Not with campaign yels
and Hlurrah for Yetive. How does
lil;tt sound. 'Hurrah for letive.. 81,
VAS LAUGHING merrily.
Don't say it. 1t sounds sacrilegiouS
voltilg.'
For over three years since wa
lsistcen ! have been supreme in tina
lttlr pnrlng the years of my rele
sior 10 that time sat there with I
Caspar standing beside Inc. II
,ftan begged him to sit down VI,
,c. There was so much room. ard
er,aiu.y must have grown tired
.andi.g One time cried because
fiow-ned ut me when persisted in C.
presence of u great asscnbase of 4
Hes from Dawsberscn. Ii seems TIL
i, was II naoSt important audience TIL
WI. granting. but thought more o
my unclc'ss tired old legs. rememi,,
saving through my sobs of mortiiica
lion that | would have him belieadcd
You are to guess whether that startling
threat created CONSERVATION or mlrth
What n whimsical little princess
you must have been weeping and rout
ing and going to sleep!" he laughed
And how scda;c and wise you hay'
become
"Thluk YOU How very nice yos
are have felt all along that some
orc would discern my effort TO he d.gg
nitied ard sedaic. rl:cy say am wise
and good and gracious but that is to
be expected. lEcy said that of soyer-
cigns as far back as the deluse. I've
heard. Would you really like to see
me In that old chair" she asked.
"Ah, you are still Il woman he said
smiling mt her pretty vanity. Mol
ing could impress me more pleasantly
She stepped carclcssly and impulsivc-
~ upon tie royal platform. leaned
against the arm of the throne and with
the charming blush of consciousness
turned to him with the quckncss OF q
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 involuntnrily placed foot
upon the bottom step. as II to spring
to her side.
You must not come up here!' she
cried. shrinking back. her hands en-
tended In nuttering remonstrance. y
cannot permit that ut ALL
II beg your pardon" he cried. THAT
is all the humble plebeian can say.
That may be more completely under
this fairy, spell pray cast about your
self the robe of rank and take up the
sceptcr. Perhaps ! may IAN upon my
face
"And hurt your head all over again.
she said. laughing nervOusly. She hes
itatcd for moment, u perplexed frown
crossing her brow. Then she jerked q
rich robe from the back of the throne
and placed 1t about her shoulders as
only Il woman can. Tnking up the
sceptcr. 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
aud arose with face pallid. The chasm
was now endless in its immensely. The
princess .ii,;-e,ly seated herself on the
t..rone. ,if her elbow on the broad
arm, her chin in her hand. and
TRANQUILITY Surveyed the voiceless Amer.
lean prince
.You have not said THANK YOU
| she said finally. her eyes wayering be-
meath his steady gaze.
II am only thinking how easy 1t
would be to cross the gulf that lies be-
tween us. With two movements of my
body l can place it before you, with a
third can be sitting at your side. II
is not so difficult after ALL he said.
hungrily eying the broad chair.
NO man. unless a prince, ever 50.
upon this throne" she said.
"You have called me prince"
"Oh, jested." 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.
"Usurped the throne" he replied. as
Stunning an ease and complacrnce he did
not feel. Truly lie was guilty OF un-
uracodonfn1 praSumpfiOn
You have Observation-Disclosures
Do you hear:" she went on. paying no
attention to his remark.
"Peccayi. All. your highness, l de-
light in my sin! For once am pow
err. l speak from the throne. You
will not have me abdicate in the zenith
Of my glory? Be kind. most gracious
one. Besides. did you not once cry be-
cause your uncle refused to sit with
you? Had he been tie possessor of 4
y u IL NA,,