The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-02-03

CHAPTER XIII.

SN'S@s aNSNN AAt0 III
WROR two days Lorry lived through
u intermittent stages OF delight
and dependency. His recovery
from the effects of the blow
administered by DannoX was naturally
rapid, his strong young constitution
coming to the rescue bravcly. He saw
bIuch of the princess, more Of the
Countess Dagmar, and made the ac-
quaintance of many lords and ladies
for whom he cared but little except
when they chose TO talk of their girlish
ruler. The atmosphere of the castle
was laden with n depression that could
not be overcome by an assimilated
gayety.
The princess could not hide the trou-
BILE that had sprung up in her eyes.
Her laugh, her gay conversation, her
rare composurc and gentle hauteur
were powcrlcss to drive away the
haunted, worried CLEAN in those eX-
presstvc eyes of blue. Lorry had it on
his tongues end Il dozen times during
the ncXt day or so after the counts
narrative to question Ter about the
condition of affairs as they appeared
to her.
The Countess Dagmar, when lot
monopolized by the very progressive or
aggressive Anguish, unfolGcd to Lorry
certain pages in the personal history OF
the princess, and lie, OF course, en-
couragcd her confidential humor, al.
though there was nothing encouraging
In 1t for him.
Down by the great fountain, while
the soldiers were OH parade, he fair
but volatile countess unfoidcd to Lorry
q story that wrcnched his heart so
~savagely that anger, resentment, help
lessncss and love Oozcd forth and en-
yeloped him in n multitude of emotions
that would not dispersc.
"She will not mind my telling you,
because she considers you the very
best of men, Mr.. Lorry," said the count
ess, who had learned her English I'M
der the Princess Yetive's tutor.
1t seems, according TO the very truth
full account given by the lady, that the
princess had it in her power to n
Graustark from disgrace and practical
destruction. The Prince Of AXphain's
Sol, LorenZ, was deeply enamored Of
her, infatuated by her marvellous beau
~ and accomplishments. He had per-
suaded his father to consider n matri-
monial alliance with her to be one of
great value to AXphain. The old
prince, therefore, some months before
the arrival of the Americans in Grau-
stark sent to the princess n substitute
ultimatum, couchcd in terms so polite
INT conciliatory that there could be no
m%istaking his sincerity. lie agreed to
give Graustark n new lease Of life, as
1t were, by extending the fifteen years
or, in other words, to grant the con-
quered an additional ten years in
which to pay off the obligations i'm
posed by the treaty. He furthermore
offered a considerable reduction in the
rate Of interest for the next ten years.
But he had q condition attached to this
good and gracious proposition-the mar
riage Of Graustark's sovereign. His
ambassador set forth the advantages
Of such IN alliance, and departed with
q message that the matter should have
most serious consideration.
The old princes proposition was n
blow to the princess, who was placed
in n trying position. BY sacrificing
herself she could save her country, but
in so doing her life was TO be plunged
into interminable darkness. She did
not love nor did she respect Lorenz,
who was not favorably supplied with
civilized intelligence.
The proposition was laid before the
cabinet and the nobility by the princess