The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 5, 1902, Page 6

G CHAPTER XXVI.—Continued. 1E Gl G OF ANGUISH. ABRIEL'S lips parted. but nothing T than gasp escaped them. oluntarily his cyes sought the . then the windows, the pecu- uncoptrollable look of the ed coming into them. Bolarox < his gaze*to leap instantly to that ace znd every eye in the room foi- was standing again, her omplice has confessed all. T word of the man who saw the mmitted. I charge Prince Gabriel murder of his Highness Prince briel threw his hand ottered forward, glaring s face of mania Vile 1 toward one of ced nobleman named tter evaded him =nd 1 erying e has tricked ) v his friendz A peculiar smile curtains and The confy men shou ng 1 the howls Curse you! I Kill that Berrowag had been nd the two each ¢ shrinking he Prince forward. As he nea 5d the Princess he collaps trembli me ing suppliant h tion had s Bolaroz, T trust you will not ob- Prin; Yetive substitutes the in for the man named in vour ustark,” said Anguish iz, as if coming fr and knelt before t y m) woman in th open ok lace hem of friend and > and ie a mad- and Ber- went up its echo, reach- ic gardens, was final- waiting ma be- news fiew like wild- h 3s had ney been delweiss until the monks mountzin looked down in wonder. 1 1 2nd happy throng about Prin- ion, It gure knelt was preparing 1 Duke of Mizro: majesty, Mizrox is in subjc to depart. ded her of the cath taken the mor on bis life, that you killed 1 id. turning to Lorry. ong, ‘but I am willing to pay love Jrenz was E at is my < veu should . coolly as if and the him *I have no ill will against you. my Lord 2se him from his bond, your d him to ation to and 1 shall ho pardons so TOT. to contin he Court his home while in Grau- nd the Princc »onded with aration that he would remain long approve the new cov- Before steppin ve called in low te mazntling her 1o me in haif * he asked, cagerly softly, reprovingly. e took on a troubled e caught the swift com- munication in th eyes. After all, she w Princess 1 from the room beside Hal- provd and happy in the victory over ir, giorying in the exposure of her » the world, her blood tingling and ng with the joys of anticlpation. cornc reward % exp and Anguish, the nder and fon of I, were given a but convi g levee in the hallway. and ladies pra nd whelming them with the t ccmes to the b . sh that Lorry's ng heart like of ice. uld 1o God a Prince reaim,” znce, a look t nging in eyes of Gaspon's sent y awa harp steel of deso- ation, torturing iatensely as it drove deeper and deepe > reawakened pangs There till remained the etween him and the ob- 1 Quinnox to his ~himself present- r the anted r end of the castle. ion throbbe de by pulsings of fear, a "n {Wo unconquer- ion jonged for the [ fear cried ou will ss her and then you will ions thus thrown together, ciashing fiercely for supremacy, at last wove themselves into a single, solid, un- compromising whole. Out of the two £rew un uggressive determination not to be thwarted. Love and fear eombined to give him sivength; from his cyes fled the hopeiess look, from his brain the doubt from his blood the chill. nox, give me your hand—don't n the biood! You have béen - my friend, and you have served ber almost 1o the death. 1 injured and would have ed yeu in that cell. but it was not in anger. Will you be my friend in all that is to follow?” e has said that she loves you,” said the captain, returning the hand clasp, L am your slave as well as hers.” A few moments later Lorry was in her presence. What was said or done during the half-hour that passed beiween his entrance and the moment that brought them side by side from the regm ne not; be iold. Thit The fterview had Had its scricus side plain. The troubled, auxious *ver of *he wirl and the rebellious, dogzed air of the man now only in abevance. 1 will never give yo! they came from the gleam flickered in her not resnond in words. N mated group of person: THE SUNDAY CALL. told of a conflict u up,” he said, as door. A wistful 1 but she did ar the head of the stairway an ani- s Jingered. Harry in the center and the Coun- ar was directly in front of him, looking up with sparkling eyes and part- ed lips. The Count and Countes Halfont, Gaspon. the Baron Dangloss, the Duke of were being entertained ed strange “Here he comes,” caught sight of the apr I am delighted to see you, Harry. the friend in need, old man,” other’s hand. her blue eyes over- were Lorry, wringing the gave him her hand, flowing. Mr. Anguish had § how he—how he—"" paused helplessly lief. Go sant. ead. it Counte: but the all abouvt the a Ny. It's very gerl) , in the first p id he, coolly. respect?” s ning (o understand. “In all respects. 1 You—you * gasped the evidence 3 . dumfounded. particle.” with other ladi quickiy told,” m deeply interested,” and gentlemen, by the gay-spirit- cried the latter, as he proaching cguple. You said Yetive to tell us but ing to him for re- 't very cle- ended so aid said the Prin- lace, it was all a t!” demanded Dagmar. ' responded Harry, n patois, dear Countes: begin- didn’t have ‘the htest sign of proof against the festiv all that ‘on other. understand yvow to sdy th; inst Gabriel ked “But you is confederate had con- feszed,” protested Danglo “I didn’t know that he had a confeder- ate, and 1 wasn't sure that he was guilty of the cd Anguish, compla- cently cnjoying the stupefaction. “Then why did you say so? demanded Dangiloss, excited beyond measure. Oh, 1 just gues: “God save us!” Chief of Pe ed at it?7” cried Mizrox. s it. It was a bold siroke, but it won, Now, I'll tell you this mu: I was mor certain that Ga killed the Prince here was no on earth to prove it, however, I'll admit i intuition or ng of that sort which coavinced me. N had tr w tain that Lorenz bénct the lous of 1 Princess renz. he Aithough he was W : plan to get irg one and o on the soon after the murde could secure no pr ing, at the hotel, 1 up my mind to denounce him if 1 had tae nce, riski Lut haping for such fal which you saw. It he had an accomplice ie did the stabbing was Berr appearance, when L believed him to be far away from here, disturbed me greaily, but it madc it all the more n ary that I should {ake the risk with 1. As 1 watched him I became absolutely convinced of his guilt. The only way 0 accuse him was to do it bold! 1 thoroughly z in the accomplice and the witness features. You ail know And yc how 1k the ‘bluff’ worked.” no more proof tha asked I ss, weakly., laughed the deli rted at him for a moment. up nd walked away. shaking his head. whether in stupe- fied admiration or utter disbelief, no one T others e hero of the day. d the peopl was not evercome with his countryman You did it w to Angui You might at | en’s taste,” growled 11 he dev ton, . then, you VII-ON THE BA apliments, and e wa ast say vered Anguish with more than ever afidence The only one who astonishment was 1id in h well. T did it to the d Ang mean- n under- laughed Lorry. LCONY AGAT Three persons in the roy G worn by the dre iety of weeks, fatigued by the sleepless nights just passed, sk the long afterncon wit deathlike sleep of the u; tive, in her dreamed, with smiling tiplied. a slim Grenfali Lorry soldier with darkened umbered through h the motionle: tterly fagged. Ye- bed ghamber, lips, of a tail sol- r and a throne on which cobwebs mul- €aw in his dreams’ troubled face and averted, timid eves, standing guard over him with a brave, sxi painfully uplifted. % dreamed not, in the a given by surance that the Prince: ff back and chin ‘aptain Quinnox for his mind was tranquil he had been for- While Lorry slept in the room set apart for him Anguish roame: happy-faced, slender whose ears he poured certain affection, from % to the not her ears against distracting end. smiled and trembled with de d the park with a voung lady, into the history of a the tender begin- And she ht, closing sound of his the voice nor her heart to the love that craved admission. They were not dreaming. After dinner that evening Lorry led the Princess out into the moonlight night. The Novemher breezes wer and the shadows deep. e soft and balmy “Let us leave the park to Dagmar and her hero, caid Yetive. sortico here, with the t ries. Do _you remembe: to the soldiers and the musi- ““Theére is.a broad enderest of memo- T a night like this a month or more ago—the moon, the sen- tinel and some sorrows? I would again stand where we stood on that night and again look up to the moon and the solemn sentinel, but not as w e saw them then, with heartache and evasion.” ““The balcony, then, without the old re- strictions,” Lorry agreed. “I want to see that dark old monastery again, and to tell you how T looked from its lofty winodws through the chill of wind and the chill of life into the fairest Eden that was ever denied man.” “In an hour, there.” T must correct you. will find me there.” She left then, I will meet you In an hour you him, retiring with her aunt and the Countess Dagmar. Lorry remained in the hall with Haifont, Prince Bolaroz, Mizrox and Anguish. The conversa into the ever-recurring tion ran once more topic of the day, Gabriel’s confession. The Prince of Daws- berzen was confined in the Tower with his confederate, Berrowag. Reports from Dangloss late i the afternoon conveyed the iutelligence that the prisoner had fall- en into melancholia. to the police that he h. the door while Gabriel Berrowag admitted ad stood guard at entered the Prince’s room and killed him as he slept. e descrived thie. ennning, «déliberate ef- fort to turn suspicion by leaving bloodstains. to the American The cther Daws- bergen nobles, with the exception of two whoihad gone to the capital of their coun- try with the news of the catastrophe, re- mained close to the hotel. Onme of them confessed that but little sympathy would be felt at home for Gabriel, who was hated by his subjects. Already there was talk ameng them of Prince Dantan, his younger brother, as his successor to tha throne. The young Prince was &' favor- ite with the people. Bolaroz was pleased with the outcome of the sensational accusation and the con- sequent removal of compligations which had in realily been unpleasant to him. One feature of the scene in the throne room was not digcussed, although it was uppermost in the minds of all. The posi tive stand taken by the Princess and her open avowal of love for the dashing American were never to be forgotten. The serious wrinkles on the brow of Halfont and the faraway expression that came trequently to his eyes revealed the nature world—the United States. his kingdom: his w sisters are his Queens and his Princesses; his fellow citizens are his admiring sub- jects if he is wise and good. In my land you will find the poor man climbing to the highest pinnacie, side by side with ihe rich man. The woman I love is Princess. Tlad she been the lowliest,mail in all that great land of vurs, still would she have been my Queen, I her King. His shome _is When first I Joved the mistress of Graus- - tark she was. you must not forget, Miss Guggenslocker. 1 have sald ail this (o you, sir, not in egotism nor in bitterness, but to show my right to hope fn the face < of-ail ebstacles. We recognize little as impossible. Until death destroys this DOWer to love and to hope T must say ‘o you that I shall not consider the Princess Yetive beyond my reach. Frankly, I can- rot, sir."” Ydhe Count beard him through, uncon- e, his mother, his’ a® full. length of the haleony without a word. And vet they undersiood each other.. “The mystic, the enchanting silenca of love was fraught with a conversatien felt. ot heard. “Why are you so quiet?”’ he asked, at ,last,; stopping near the rail. “I cannot tell you why. Tt seems to me that I am afraid of you,” she an- swered, a shy cuaver in her voice. “Afraid of me? T don't understand.” “Nor do I. You are not as you were before_ this morning. You are different. Yes, you make me fecl that T am wealk and helpless and that you can say to me ‘come’ and ‘go’ and I must obey. Isn't it -odd that I, who have never known sub- missivencss, should so suddenly find my self tyrannized?’ she asked, smiling faintly. “Shall T tell you why you are afraid of me?” he asked, . 'You will say it is because I am for- “They Are Very Fappy,” Said Lorry. ' of his thoughts. The greatest problem of them 21l was still to be solved. As they left the room he dropped behind and walked out beside Lorry, rather tim- idly detaining him until the others were some distance ahead. You were closeted with the Princess this morning, Mr. Lorry, and perhaps you can give me the information I desire. She has called a meeting of the Ministers and leading men of the country for to-morrow morning. Do you know why she has is- sued this rather unusual eall? She did not offer any explanation to me."” I am only at libkrty to say, your Excel- legncy, that it concerns the welfare of Graustark,” answered the other, after a moment’s thought. They walked on In silence for some distance. “1 am her uncle, sir, but T love her as I would love my own child. My life has been given %o Ther from the day that her mother, my sister, died. You will grant me the right to ask you a plain question. Have you told her that you love her?’ The Count’s face was drawn and white, “I have, sir. 11loved here before I knew she was a Rrincess. As her protector, it was to you that I would have told the story of my unfortunate love ‘long agn, but my arrest and escape prevented. It was not my desire or intention to say to her what I could not speak about to you. 1 do not want to be looked upon as a coward who dares not face difficulties. My love has not been wiliingly clandes- tine, and it has been in spite of her most righteous objections. We have both seen the futility of love, however strong and pure it may be. I have hoped, your Ex- cellency, and always shall.” “She has confessed her love to you pri- vately?” asked Halfont. *“Against her will, against her judgment, sir.” ““Then the worst has come to pass,” groaned the old Count. - Neither spoke for some time. They were near the foot of the staircase when Halfont paused and grasped Lorry’s arms. Steadily they looked into each other's eyes. “I admire you more than any man I hzve ever known,” said the Count, husk- ily. “You are the soul of honor, of cour~ 2ge, of maniiness. But, my God; you can- not beccme the husband of a Princess of Graustark! I need not tell you that. how- ever. You surely must understand.” “1 do understand,” said Lorry, dizzily. “I'am not a Prince, as you are saving over and over again to yourself. Count Halfont, every born American may be-. come ruler of the greatest nation of the scious admiration mingling with the sad- ness in his eyes. ““There are some obstacles that bravery and perseverance cannot overcome, my friend,” he said, slowly. *One of them is fate.” “As fate is not governed by law or custdm, I have the best reason in the world to hope,” said Lorry. yet modestly. “I would, indeed, sir. that you were a Prince of the realm,” fervently cried the Count, and Lorry was struck by the fact that he repeated word for word the wish Gaspon had uttered some hours be- fore. By this time they were joined by the others, whereupon Grenfall hurried eager- 1y to the balcony, conscious of being balf an hour early, glad at the chance’ af- forded for reflection and solitude. Sittin on the broad stone railing he leaned b: against a pillar and looked into the n for his thoughts. Once more the moon was gleaming beyond St. Valentine throwing against the sky a jagzed houette of frowning angles, towering gables and monstrous walls, the moun- tain and the monastery blending into or.= great misty product of the vision. Voices came up from below, as they did on ihat night five weeks ago, bringing the laugh- ter and song of happy hearts. Music swelled through the park from the band gallery; from afar off came the sounds of revelry. The people of Edelweiss were rejolcing. over the unexpected deliverance from a fate so certain that the escape seemed barely short of mxraculoqi. Every sound, every rustle of the wi through the plants that were scattere\ over the balcony, caused him -to look toward the door through which she must come to him. At last she appeared, and he hastened to meet her. As he took her hands in his, she said softly, dreamily, looking over his shoulder toward the mountain’s crest: “The same fair moon,” and smiled into his eves. “The same fair maid and the same man,” he added. “I believé the band s playing the same air; upon my soul T do " “Yes, the same air, ‘La Paloma,’—my favorite. It is my lullaby. Come, let us walk. 1 cannot sit quietly now. Talk to me, dearest, Let me listen and be happy.” * ¢ Slowly they paced the wide balcony, through the moonlight and the shad- ows, her hand resting on his arm, Lis clasping it gently. Love obstructs the flow of speech; the heart-beats choke back the words that fill the throgt. Lorry talked but little, she not at all. Times there were when they covered the getting to be a Princess.” “No; it is because you no longer lavk upon me as you did in other days. It is because I am a possibility, an entity in- stead of a shadow. Yesterday you were the Princefs and looked down upon the impossible sultor; to-day you find that you have given yourself to him and that you do not regard the barrier as insur- mountable.. You were not timid untii found your power o resist gone. To-da you admit that I may hope, and in doin £0 You open a gate through the walls of your pride and prejudice that can never be closed against the love within and the love without. You are afraid of ge be- cauge I am no longer a dream, but a reali Am I not right, Yetive? She looked out over the hazy, moonlit park, Yesterday 1 might have disputed all you say; to-day I can deny nothing.” Leaning upon the railing, they fell into a silent study of the parade ground and its strollers. Their thoughts were not of the walkers and chatterers, nor of the musie, nor’ of the night. They were of the day to come, “I' shall never forget how you said ‘b cause I love him,’ this morning, sweet- heart,” sold Lorry. betraying his reflec- tions. ou defled the whole world in those four words. They were worth dy- ing for.” “How could I help neot, forget that you . just had leaped into the lion's den defenseless, be- cause you loved me. Could I deny you then? Until that moment I had baen the Princess adamant; in a second’s time vou €wept away every safeguard, every battlement, and I surrendered as only a woman can. But it really sounded shock- ing, didn't it? So theatrical!” “Don’t look so distressed about it, dear. You couldn’t help it, remember,” he said, approvingly. “Ach, T dread to-morrow’s ordeal!” she said, and he felt the arm that touched his own tremble. “What will they say? ‘What will they do “To-morrow will tell. deal to both of us. mit—what then?” “What then—what then?” mured,, faintly. Across the parade, coming from the di- rection of the fountain, Harry Anguish and Dagmar were slowly walking. They were very close together, and his head was bent until it almost touched hers. As they drew nmearer, the dreamy watchers on the balcony recognized them. “They are very bhappy,” sald Lorry, it? You must It means a great If they will not sub- she mur- knowing that she was also watching the stroller: “They are so sure of each othei replied, sadly. When almest dirgetly beneath the rail the Countess glanced upward, impelled by the strange instinct of an easily startled love. confident that prying eyes were upon .her. She saw the dark forms leaning over the rail and rather jerkily brought her companion to a standstill and to a realization of his position. Anguish turned his eyes aloft. “Can you, fair maid, tell me the names of those beautiful stars I see in the dark dome above?” he asked, in a loud, happy voice. “Oh, can they be eyes?’ “Eyes, most noble sir,” replied his com- panion. “There are no stars so bright.” ““Methought they were diamonds in tio sky at first. Eyes like those must belong to some divinity.” “They do, fair student, and to a divinity well worth worshiping. I have heard it caid that men offer themselves as sacri- fices upon her altars.” “Unless my telescope deceives me, I discern a very handsome sacrifice up there, so I suppose the altar must be somewhere in the neighborhood.” “Not a hand’s breadth bencath her eyes,” laughed the Countess, as she fled precipitately up the steps, fellowed by the Jesting student. “Beware of a divinity in wrath,” came a sweet, clear volce from the balcony, and Anguish called out from his safe retreat, like the boy he was: “Ah, who's afraid The Princess was laughing softly, ber radiant as they met those of her companion, amused yet grave. he have a care”” she asked. she ar not. He loves a Countess.” *““He has not to pay the of am- bition, then?” said she st article in the “It concerns only a “Ambition is the ch world,” he said. man’s self.” MAID OF XXVIII-THE GRAUSTARK. Expectancy, concern, the dread of un- certainty marked the countenances of Graustark's Ministers and her chief men as they sat in the counecil chamber on the day following. awaiting the appearance of their Princess, at whose call they were unexpectedly assembled. More than two score eyes glanced nervously toward the door from time to time All realized an emergency. No sooner were they out of one dilemma than an- other cast its prospects ae their path, creating the fear that rejoicing would be short. While none knew the nature of the busifi that called them together each had a stubborn icion that it re- ted to day before. e stirring decl Not one in t ons of the mbly but Pbad heard the vivid, soulful sentence from (ke throne. Not one but wished in seerct as Garpon and Halfont had wished in open speeclh. When the Princess entered with the Prime Minister the; th mned face dear to them. Determination ansd e were blended in the deep blue de and dejection in the firm step, strength and weakness in tl loving smile she bestowed upon the faithful After the greetings, she re- to draw chairs about th cating herself in her a she gazed over the circie and realized, more than ed t table. at customed seat, of anxiocus face at any time in her young life, that she was frail and weak beyond all compari- Br son. How small she was to rule those strong, wise men of her w ble the hand that held the scepter. “My lords,” she said, summoning ail her strength of mind and heart, “I am gratified to find vou so ready to respond to the call of your whimsical sovereign. Yesterday you came’ with heart bowed down and in deepest woe. To-d semble you here that I may vice concerning the events of that strange day. Bolaroz will do as he has promis: ‘We are to have the extension papers thi afternoon, and Graustark may breath again the strong. deep breath of hop You well remember my attitude on yi oveé fe terday. You were shocked, horrified amazed by my seemingly ignoble effort to preserve my preserver’s life. We will pass over that, however. It is to discuss my position that T have called you here. To begin, I would have sacrificed my kingdom, as you know, to save him. He was innocent and I loved him. If, on yes- terday, I would not let my kingdom stand between me and my love, I cannot do so to-day. I have called you here to tell you, my lords, that T have promised to become the wife of the man who would have given his life for you and for me— that I love-as a woman, not as a Prin- cess."” The silence of death stole into the room. Every man's eyes were glued upon the white face of the Princess and none could break the spell. They had expected it, yet the shock was overwhelming; they had feared it, yet the announcement stupefied them. She looked straizht be- fore her, afraid to meet the eyes of her subjects, knowing that sickening disap- proval dwelt in them. Not a word was uttered for many seconds. Then old Cas- par’s tense muscles relaxed and his arms dropped limply from their crossed position on his breast. “My child, my child!” he cried, lifeless- You cannot do this thing!” But the people?” cried Gaspon, his eyes gleaming. *‘You cannot act against the will “of the people. Our laws, natutal and otherwise, proscribe the very act you have in mind. The American cannot go upon our throne; no man, unless he be of royal blood, can share it with you. If you marry him the laws of our land—you know them well— will prohibit us from recognizing the mar- riage.” “Knowing that, my lords, I have come to ask you to revise our laws. My throne ‘will not be disgraced by the man I would have share it with me.” She spoke calmly as if she were making the most trivial re- quest instead of asking her Ministers to overthrow and undo the laws and customs of ages and of dynasties. ““The law of nature cannot be changed,” muttered Caspar, as if to himself. “In the event that the custom ecannot be changed, I shall be compelled to re- linquish my right to occupy the throne and to depart from among you. I would break my heart, my lords, to resort to this monstrcus sacrifice, but I love one man first, my crown and my people after him."” “You would not leave us—you would not throw aside as despised the erown your ancestors wore for centuries?” cried Gas- 1 pon. “Are you mad, Yetive?" The others were aring with open mouths and icy heaTis. “Yes, as much as it woul) grieve me, T would do all this,” she answered, firmly, not daring to look at her uncle. She knew his eves were upon her and that condem- nation Iurked in their depths. Her heart ached to turn te him with a prayer for forgiveness, but there could be no falter- ing now. “I ask you, my lords, to acknowledge the marriage of your ruler to Grenfall Lorry. 1am to be his wife; but I entreat you to grant me happiness withoys mak- ing me endure the misery that will come to me if I desert my father's throne and the people who have worshiped me and to whom I am bound by a tie that cannot be broken. I do not plead so much for the right to rule as I do for the one who may rule aftgr I am gone. 1 want -my own to follow me on the throne of Grau- /stark.” ' Then followed a long, animated discuse sion, growing brighter and more hopeful as the speakers’ willing hearts warmed to the proposition. Lorry was a favorits but he could not be their prince. Hered- jtary law prohibited. Still his children, it God_gave them to him, might be declared rightful heirs to the throne of thelr mother, the Priccess. The more they talked, the more the problem seem- ed to solve {tself. Many times the. Princess and her wise men met and overcame obstacles, huge at first, minimized in the end, all becausa they loved her and she loved them. The departure from traditionary custom, as suggested by the Princess—coupled with the threat to abdicate—was the weight-#" jest vet the most delicate question that q had ever come before the chief men of Graustark. It meant the beginning of a new line of Princes, new life. new blood, a complete transformation of order as it had come down through the reigns of many Ganloo For the first time in the history of the country there was a wom- an sovereign; for the first time the been no direct male heir to the With old Prince Ganlook's passin masculine side of the illustrious fs ended. No matter whom his dau took for a husband, the line was I Why not the bold, p ican? argued s the views of the dered to the will of Yetiv but one remained in opposition. Cou out until all were aga ay finally in a burst of, ora- which ended in tears gnd sobs and ‘h made the sense of Ahe gathering o1 The Princess Yetive won the day, so far as her own position was concern But, there was Lorry to be considered. “Mr. Lorry knows that I called you to- gether in consultation. but hé does not know that I would have given up my erown for him. I dared not tell him that, He only knows that I was to ask your question of marriage. and t night he told me he was would agree tothe union. advice on t that alone. I confident you He i American, and does not appre- )y clate the difiiculties attending such an espous: Over there distins only i wealth and intelliger I Lel they call it, but not such as ours. a strange man, and we have vet to it him as to the inge- ment,” said to her lords, pursing her lips. he will objeet to the plan we have a ed upon,’”” she went on. “He is sensitive, d it is possible he wiil not lke the idea of putting our marriage to the popular vote of the people.” “I insist, sver, that the people be e ered in the matt said Gaspon. three months’ > the whole nation can say whetier it sanctions the revision of cur laws of I It would not be right or just for us to say who skall be their future rulers for all time to come consuiting them. without “ no hesitancy in ady idolizes Halfront, war n. If the qu before the people to-morrow rm [ will vouch that saying in for it that the whole I ery: ‘Long live the P: the Prince Con- sort? ol erte “Goin® back, T see,”” said Sitzky, the fome hs later, addressing a ho was hurrying . o the Edelweiss rail- the special train atie 3 ou? I'm glad to Yes, we are going back to the land of the sta 1 stripes.” The speaker was Mr. ou'll have fin : too. D' you eve bration’s dey're havi t'ink @' whele a little visi ness Is gol Dummed if &’ whole ci pay to Vienna. diers an’ all. ain’t down here fo see ‘er off. Look owd! By glory, I don’t blieve we ¢'n pull @' train out of 4 sta- tion. ’'Quainted wid any of d royal ecrowd?” wered Anguish, smiling. ring a trim figure in a tailor- made gown as it approached. drawing apart from the throng. It was Mrs. Har- ry Van Brugh Anguish, « ¥ou must cut some ice wid dese But dat's jest like an American. ' the little guard went on. “De arried an American an’ dey Re’s gein’ to put " crown away where &' moths won't git at it an’ take her over to live in Washington fer six months. Is it a sure t'ing?" That's right, Sitzky. with us and then we'r her." “Why don’t he keep 'er gver dere when he gits her dere? What's’d’ use—what's a .58 She’s going back « coming back with “Well, she's still the Princess of Grau- stark, you know, Sitzky. She can’t live always in America.” “Got to be here to hold her job, eh?" “Inelegant, but correct. Now look sharp! Where do we find our—Ah!™ His wife was with him and he forgot Sitzky. The guard turned to watech the proces- sion—a file of soldiers, a cavalry troop, carriages and then—the carriage with epirited horses and gay accouterments. It stopped with a jangle and a man and voman descended. ‘The Princess!" ecried Sitzky. “Long live the Princess cried the crowd. “God save our Yetive!” Sitzky started as If shot, staring at the tall man who approached with the smil- ing sovereign of ¥ Fell,” he s at @' you t'ink o’ dat! The train that was to carry them out of the east futo the west puffed and snort- ed, the bell clanged, the people cheered, and they were off. Hours later as the car whirled through the Hungarian piain, Yetive, Moking from her window, said in that exquisite English which was her very own: b. the world, the dear world! I am So sorry for queens!’ (The End.) Presidenis’ Jeeads on Stamps F President McKinley's portrait is put on one of the postage stamps of this country, as dispatches from Washing- ton have said is likely to be dome in case the Postoffice Department brings out a new issue. his portrait will be the ninth of a President used in that way. As the regular series of stamps, exc! ing the Columbian, Trans-Mississippi Pan-American Exposition issues, been in cireulation with only slight changes in watermarks and the Iike since 189, a change of some sort is expected soon by philatelists. er since Uncle Sam's postofice began making stamps, in 1347 or thereabouts. the face of ‘Washington has ared on one of the stamps in ever: gular iss and with single exception on a stamp of low value and general us Benjamin Franklin's face has always adorned post- age stamps of low value and has thus be- come familfar to’ peopie who send or T ceive letlers ever since 1847. Presidents other han Washington faceg have appeared on the stamps a1 Terson, Jackson, Lincoln, Garfield, Grant, Madison and Tavier. Of the stamps of higher values the 8-cent stamp row bears Sherman's pic- ture.‘ the 10-cent Webste: Clay’s. the J-cent Jefferson's. (he : sRerson’s, the doliar stamp Perry's, the 32 Madison's und (ite $3 Marshall's. H