The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1908-08-12

choose to grant his request.
Revolving tho pros and cons, he was
forced to conclude that she probably
would not grant %it-unless he had some
new argument to bring forward. Yet
what had he to urge that he had not
already urged twice OVER? What could
he say ut this eleventh hour which
would not only induce her to await his
coming Mt Felgarde, but justify him
& making q last appeal when he came
to explain 1t In person?
AS he stood pen In hand suddenly he
found himself recalling q fairy story
which he had never tired Of reading in
his childhood. Under the disguise Of
fancy 1t was q lesson against vacilla-
ton. aud he had often said to himself
rs n boy TINT when he grew up he
would not, like the prince of the story,
miss n gift Of the gods through weak
hesitation.
The pretty legend In his mind had
for n hero n young prince who went
abroad to seek his fortune and rcceiv-
cd from one of the fates to whom he
paid n visit three magic c~ltrons, which
he must cut open by the side of IL GER
tain fountain. He obeyed his instruc-
lions, but when from the first citron
sprnng an exquisite fairy maiden, de-
handing n drink OF water, the young
man lost his presence Of mind. While
he sat staring the lovely lady van
ished, and with n second experiment 1t
was the same. Only the third cltron
remained Of the fate's squandcrcd
gifts. and when the prince cut 1t in
half h maiden who appeared was so
much more beautiful than her sisters
that In adoring wonder he almost lost
her rs he had lost the others.
MY knife is on he rind of the last
citron now" Leopold said to himself.
Let me not lose the one chance / have
left"
Last night he had believed that there
would not be room In n mans heart
for more love than his held FOR Helen
Mowbray; but, realizing to the full
how great was the danger OF losing
her. he found that his love had grown
beyond reckoning.
He had thought 1t n sacrifice to sug-
gest a morganatic marriage. Now n
voice seemed to say in his ear: 1.-THE
price you offered was not enough. Is
love worth all to you or not?" And he
answered: ut is worth all. 1 will offer
all, yet not count 1t n sacrifice. That is
love, and nothing less Is love-"
a white light broke before his eyes
like n meteor bursting, and the voice
In his ear spoke words that sent n
flame through his veins.
81 will do It," he said. "Who is
/ there QmNnO 4, noDpIo x-I,o x.,Ii 49,
say No to their empcror's 'Ycs?'
VIII make n new law. 1 will be n law
unto myself"
His face, that had been pale, was
flushed. He tore up the unfinished
telegram and wrote another, which he
signed LEO, the Chamois Hunter"
Then, when he had handed in the
message and paid, there was but Just
time to buy his ticket, engage n whole
hrst class compartment for himself
and dash into 1t before his train was
due to start.
AS It moved slowly out of the big
station Leopold's brain rang with the
noble music OF his great resolve. He
could see nothing. think Of nothing,
but that. Ills arms achcd to clasp his
love. His lips, cheated last night, nj
ready felt her kisses, for she would
give them now, md She would give
herself. lie was trcading the past of
an empire undcrfoot in the hope of n
future with her, and every throb of
the engine was taking him nearer to
the threshold OF that future.
But such moments of supreme ex-
altation come rarely In n lifetime. The
heart of man or woman could not beat
on for long with such wild music for
accompaniment, and so 1t was thu rs
the moments passed the song of the
emperor's blood fell to n minor key.
He thought passionately Of Virginia,
but he thought of his country as well
and tried to weigh the effect upon 9th
ers Of the thing that he was prepared
TO do. There was no one on earth
whom Leopold of Rhactia need fear.
but there was one to whom he owed
much, II whom 1t would be grievous
to offend.
In his fathers day one man, old
even then, had built upon the founda-
lions of a tragic past n great md pros.
porous nation. This man had been to
Leopold what his father had never
been and, without Inc magic power of
Inspiring warm affection. had inStil!cd
respect and gratitude i'm the breast of
an enthusiastic boy.
Poor old Won Breitsteinr' the en-
peror sighed. "Thc country is his idol
the country with all the old trudi-
lions. He'll feel this break sorcly. I'd
spare him IL I could. But I can't live
my life for him."
He sighed again and looked up.
frowning, Mt a sudden sound which
meant intrusion.