Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-04-04
bRAUSTARK|
-. By.
GEORGE BARR M'CUTcHEON 4.
|plrt0ht, 1901, BY Herbert s. Stons !
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
BY

8 frank and untroubled. She was
rently light hearted. Her cheeks
lost none OF their freshness. Her
were bright. Her smile was quick
merry. her wit unclouded. Recep-
$. drawing rooms and state func-
found her always vivacious. so
n so that her court wondered not
tie. Daily reports brought no news
he fugitive. but while others were
inning to acquire the haggard air
worry and uncertainty she was
nly resigned. The 18th, the 10th,
18th, the 18th and now the 10Th of
yembcr came and still the princess
called no marked sign of distress.
Ieavy hearted and with bowed heads |
people of Graustark saw the 18th |
e in the night. the breaking of |
Itch would bring the crush of pride. |
end of power. At court there was
silent dread and the dying hope |
Il relief might come at the last hour.
IN with pale faces and fearful eyes
ndered through the ancient castle,
pechless, nerveless. miserable. Brave
diers crept about, shorn of pride and
led with woe. Citizens sat and stared
tnlessly for hours, thinking of naught
{ the disaster so near at hand and so
Unavoidable. The whole nation surged
if in the last throes of death. To
orrOw the potency of Graustark was
die, its domain was to be cleft in
vain. disgraced before the world.
- ,f-
md sat the girl Yetive, proud, ten
er. courageous. Tomorrow would see
ne north torn from the south, the dlvl-
lon of families, the rending of homes,
be bursting of hearts. She sanctioned
II this because she loved Lorry and
because he had done no wrong.
Aware of her financial troubles and
,ursuing the advantage that his riyafs
leath had opened to him, Prince Ga
briel of Dawsbergen renewed his ar
lent suit. Scarce had the body of the
murdered prince left the domain be-
fore he made his presence marked.
knowing that he was in truth the mys-
FERROUS Michael who had planned her
abduction, she feared and despised him,
vet dared make no public denuncia-
tion. AS Dawsbergen was too power
4 ful to be antagOniZed at this critical
time. she was constantly forced to sub
NIT to the most trying and repulsive
of ordeals. Tact and policy were re-
0uired to control the violent, hot blood
ed young ruler from the south. Day aft
er day he haunted the castle, persist
.ent i'm his efforts to induce her to ac
cept his proposition. So fierce was DIS
passion, so implacable his desire, thai
he went among the people of Edel
weiss. presenting to them his proposal
hoping thereby to add public feeling
to his claims. He tried to organize a
committee of citizens to go before the
princess with the petition that his oHel
be accepted and the country saved
But Graustark was loyal to its prin
cess. Not one of her citizens listene'
to the willy prince, and more than on,
told him or his emissaries that the los
of the whole kingdom was preferable
TO the marriage he desired. The Cit
sickened at the thought.
His last and master stroke in tt
struggle to persuade came on the after
noon of the 10Th. at an hour when a
Edelweiss was in gloom and when tn
princess was taxed to the point wher
the mask Of courage was so frail tha
she could scarce hide her bleeding sol
sklind it.
Bolaroz of Axphain, to quote frol
news dispatch. was in Edelweiss,
auest with d few OF his lords, in IL
castle. North Of tie city were e
camped.5 900 men. He had come pr
pared 10 cancel the little obligation
fifteen xears standing. With the hate
creditor in the castle. bis influence no
ering above the town. the populace d
aracted by the thoughts of the day
come, Gahgiel played what he cons
erred lis bsst card s He asked for a
Obtained anal interview with Yeti
NOT in Der boudoir or her receipt
com. but lii the throneroom, wh'
she was to meet Bolaroz in the mo
he princess. seated on her thro
awaEtd the approach of the resour
ful. ienacious sutton. He came, ana
hind him strobe eight stalwart u
bearing q long iron bound chest,
result of his effort with his bank'
YetIve and her mobiles looked ia
prise on this unusual performal
Dropping to his knee before the thro
Gabriel said, his voice trembling shi
IN with eagerness and fear:
Your highness, tomorrow VIII
the turning point in the history OF I
possibly three, nations-Graustark'
phain and Dawsbergen. have INC
ed my own land because its rule
most vitality interested. He We
serve and save Graustark, as
know. and he would satisfy Axph
1t is in my power to give you ait
this last, trying hour. and imp
YOU to listen to my words OF since
friendship-yes. alteration. Tomor
you are to pay to Prince Bolaroz
25.OOO.OO gavvos or relinquish the
tire north half of your domain l
derstand the lamentable situation