University of South Carolina Libraries
THE KIND OF FrAmEsi i To be used is very much a matter i C or taste. It is important. though, o that the frames set properly on the nose and at the right distauce Z C from the eyes; that the lenses be 3 perfectly centered. and how are you to know when one is guess- Z ing'? WE... NEVER GUESS. Glasses Right, 9= Good Sight." E E. A., Bultman, JEWELER AND OPTICIAN. 17 S. Main St., - Sumter, S. C. PHoNE 194. T7O CONSUMERS OF Lager Beer. We ate now in position to ship our Beer all over the State at the following prices: EXPORT. Imperial Brew-Pints, at S1..A per doz. Kulfheiser-Pints, at. .... .90c per doz. Germania P. M.-Piats, at 90c per doz. GERMAN MALT EX TRACT. A liquid Tonic and Food for Nursing Mothers and Invalids. Brewed from the highest grade of Barley Malt and Imported Hops, at........$1.10 per doz. For sale by all Dispensaries, or send in your orders direct. All orders shall have our prompt and careful attention. Cash must, a.comprny all orders. Tli 2 CERMANIA BREWING GO., Charle4ou, S. C. SBuggies, Wagons, Road Carts and Cariages RB.PAIRED With Neatness and Despatch -AT R. A. WHITE'S WHEELWRIGHT and BLACKSMITH SHOP. I repair Stoves, Pumps and run water I pipes, or I wil put down a new Pump cheap. t If you need any scoldering done, give me acal!. LAiME. My horse is lame. Why? Because I did ~not have it shod by R~. A. White, t the man that puts on such neat shoes and makes horses travel with so much( ease. We Make Themi Look New. We are making a specialty of re painting old Buggies, Carriages, Roa.l Carts and Wagons cheap. Come and see me. My prices will please you, and I guarantee all of my I work. .Shop on corner below R. M. Dean's. R. A. WHITE, MANNING. S.C. THlE Bank of MaDDIRg, MANNING, 8. C. Transacts a general banking busi. ness. Prompt and special attention given to depositors residing out of town. Deposits solicited. 1 All collections have prompt atten tion. Basiness hours from 9 a. in. to 2 p.m. JOSEPH SPROTT, A. LEVI, Cashier. President. hOARD OF DIRECTOBS. J. WS. McLEOD, W. E. B~nows, S. M. NEXSE, 3OSEPH SPRoTT A. LEvI. indigestion Causes Catarrh of the - Stomach. For many~ years it has been supposed that Catarrh of the Stomach caused indigestion ..and dyspepsia, but the truth is exactly the opposite. Indigestion causes catarrh. Re peated attacks of indigestion inflam'es the mucous membranes lining the stomach and1 exoses the nerves of the stomach, thus caus ing the glands to secrete mnucin instead of1 the juices of natural digestion. This 13 called Catarrh of the Stomach. Kodol Dyspepsia Cure relieves all inflammration of the mucous membranes lining the stomrach, protects the nerves. and cures bad breath, sour risings, a. sense of fullness after eating, Indigestion, dyspepsia and all stomach troubles. Kodol Digests What You Eat Make the Stomach Sweet Bottles only. Regular size. $1.00. holding 2% "!e8 the trial sze, which sells for 50 cets yrpared by E. C. DeWiTT & CO., Chicago, Il. The R. 8. Loryea Drug Store. Jos. r. anlA4E- J. B. LEsESNE RHAME & LESRSNE, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, MANNING, S. C. HAIR BALSAM GEORGE BAF '~~4 Copyr-ight, 190o1, b~y IIcrbert S. Sti i+t.. ..t.+ -+4-+++.-.+ CHAPTER XV. TnE nETROTHAls ARRY Anguish was a discreet, forbearing fellow. He did not demand a full explanation of his friend. There was enough atural wit in his merry bead to see hat in connection with their departure here was something that would not dmit of discussion even by confiden ial friends. He shrewdly formed his! wn conclusions and held his peace. or did he betray surprise when Lor y informed him in answer to a ques ion that he intended to remain in :delweiss for some time, adding that .e could not expect him to do likewise f he preferred to return to Paris. But .r. Anguish preferred to remain in :delwelss. Had not the Countess Dag nar told him she would always be iappy to see him at the castle, and had ic any reason to renounce its walls? tnd so it was 7.hat they tarried to :ether. Lorry loitered aimlessly, moodily, bout the town, spending gloomy days .nd wretched nights. He reasoned hat it were wisdom to fly, but a force tronger than reason held him in Edel reiss. He ventured several times to he castle wall, but turned back reso utely. There was hope in his breast hat she might send for him. There vas at least the possibility of seeing er should she ride through the streets. knguish, on the other hand, visited the astle daily. He spent hours with the retty countess, undismayed by the:, oble moths that fluttered about her lame, and he was ever persistent, ght hearted and gay. He brought to orry's ears all that he could learn of he princess. Several times he had een her and had spoken with her. She nquired casually after the health of Ais friend, but nothing more. From he countess he ascertained that her ighness was sleeping soundly, eating ieartily and apparently enjoying the est of spirits, information decidedly rritating to the one who received it ;econd hand. They had been at the hotel for over a week when one afternoon Anguish ,ushed into the room out of breath and ;carcely able to control his ixcitement "What's up?" cried Lorry. "Has the .ountess sacked you?" "Not on your coin! But something is p, and I am its discoverer. You re embir what you said about suspect g Prince Gabriel of being the chief ascal in the abduction job? Well, my oy, I am now' willing to stake my life hat he is the man." The news bearer at down 'n the edge of the bed and ew the first long breath he had had a long time. "Why do you think soY' iemanded e other, all interest. "Heard him talking just now. I idn't know who the fellow was at rst, but he was tal~ng to some trange looking soldiere- as I passed. s soon as I heard his voice I knew heI nas Michael. There isn't any question bout it, Lorry. I am positive. He did Lot observe me, but I suppose by this ine he has learned that his little job -as frustrated by two Americans who eard the plot near the castle gates. e has nerve to come here, hasn't he?" "If he is guilty, yes. Still he may feel ecure because he Is a powerful prince1 ,nd able to resent any accusation with show of force. Where is he now?" "I left him there. Come on. We'll go own, and you can see for yourself." They hurried to the corridor, which 'as swarming with men in strange niforms. There were a few Grau tark officers, but the majority of the' uzzing conversationalists were dressed i a rich gray uniform. "Who are these strangers?" asked "OI forgot to tell you. Prince La 'enz is also here, and these gray fel ws are a part of his retinue. Lorenz ias gone on to the castle. What's the ntter?" Lorry had turned pale and vas reaching for the wall with un teady hand. "He has come for his answer," he ad slowly, painfully. "That's right. I hadn't thought of hat. I hope she turns him down. But ere's Gabriel over yonder. See those, hree fellows in blue? The middle one the prince." Near the door leading to the piazza tod several men, gray and blue. The nan designated as Gabriel was in the enter, talking gayly and somewhat udly, puffing at a cigarette between entences. He was not tall, but. he 'as strongly and compactly built His air and cropped beard were as black .s coal, his eyes wide, black and lined. t was a pleasure worn face, and Lorry uddered as he thought of the prin 'ess in the power of this evil looking retch. They leisurely made their inay to a spot near the talkers. There i-as no mistaking the voice. Prince ~abriel and Michael were one and t'ae :e beyond all doubt. But how to trove it to the satisfaction of others? ~keticism would follow any attempt proclaim the prince guilty because s voice sounded like that of the chief onspirator. In a matter where whole iations were concerned the gravest portance would be attached to the Lecusation of a ruler. Satisfying them elves as to the identity of that p~e uliar voice, the friends passed through a the piazza. "What's to be done?" asked Anguis;h, oiling ovecr with excitement. "We must go to Baron Dangloss, tell im of our positive discovery, and hen consult Count Hlaifont." "And her royal highness, of course." "Yes, I suppose so," said Lorry, flick g the ashes from his cigar with a1 inger that was now steady. He was erving the princess again. They hurried to the tower and were oon in the presence of the fierce littleI hief of police. Lorry had spent ma ny aours with Dangloss at late, and they ad become friends. His grim old face lanched perceptibly as he heard the ssertions of the young men. He shook s head despairingly. "It may be as you say, gentlemen, ut I am afraid we can do nothing. ro charge a prince with such a crime nd on such evidence would be mad uess. I am of your belief, however. ~rince Gabriel is the man I have sus ected. Now I am convinced. Before ive can do anything in such a grave naatter it will be necessary to consult Lhe princess and her ministers. In aase we conclude to accuse the Prince f Dawsbergen it must be after careful KN ARK 4 .By... 6R McCUTCHEON no iin cidzt-onsider,-gentlemen. For my part, I would be overjoyed to seize the villain and to serve him as we did his tools, but my hands are tied, you see. I would suggest that you go at once to the princess and Count Halfont, tell them of your suspicions" "Not suspicions, my lord-facts," in terrupted Anguish. "Well, then, facts, and ascertain how they feel about taking up a proposition that may mean war. May I ask you to come at once to me with their answer. It is possible that they will call for a consultation with the ministers, nobles and high officers. Still, I fear they will be unwilling to risk much on the rath er flimsy proof you can give. Gabriel is pbwerful, and we do not seek a war with him. There is another foe for whom we are quietly whetting our swords." The significant remark caused both listeners to prick up their ears. But he disappointed their curiosity, and they were left to speculate as to whom the other foe might be. Did he mean that Graustark was secretly, sly ly, making ready to resist, treaty or no treaty? It required prolonged urging on the part of Anguish to persuade Lorry to accompany him to the castle, but, when once determined to go before the prin cess with their tale, he was eager, im patient, to cross the distance that lay between the hotel and the forbidden grounds. They walked rapidly down Castle avenue and were soon at the gates. The guard knew them, and they were admitted without a word. As they hurried through the park they saw many strange men in gray, gaudy uniforms, and it occurred to Lorry that their visit, no matter how great its importance, was ill timed. Prince Lorenz was holding the center of the stage. Anguish, with his customary impul siveness, overruled Lorry's objections, and they proceeded toward the en trance. The guards of the princess sa luted profoundly. while the minions of Lorexiz stared with ill bred wonder upon these two tall men from another world. It could be seen that the castle was astir with excitement, subdued and pregnant with thriving hopes and fears. The nobility of Graustark was there. The visitors of Axplinin were be ing entertained. At the castle doors the two men met their first obstacle, but they had an ticipated its presence. Two guards halted them peremptorily. "We must see her royal highness," said Anguish, but the men could not understand him. They stoically stood their ground, shaking their heads. "Let us find some one who can un derstand us," advised Lorry, and in a few moments they presented them selves before the guards, accompanied by a young nobleman with whom they ad acquaintance. He succeeded in ad ancing them to the reception hall in side the doors and found for them a servant who would carry a message to the princess if it w-re possible to gain her presence. The nobleman doubted very much, howev-er, if the missive hastily- written by Lorry could find its way to her, as she had never been so occupied as now, Lorry in his brief note prayed for a short audience for himself and 3Mr. An guish, requesting that Count Hlalfont be present. He informed her that his mission was of the most imperative na tre and that it related to a discovery made concerning the prince who had tried to abduct her. In conclusion he wrote that Baron Dangloss had re quired him to lay certain facts before her and that he had come with no in tention to annoy her. While they sat in the waiting room they saw through the glass doors doz ens of richly attired men and women in the hall beyond. They were conversing animatedly, Graustark wen and wom en with dejected faces, Axphainlans with exultation glowing in every glance. Lorry's heart sank within him. It seemed hours before the servant re turned to bid them follow him. Then his blood leaped madly through veins that had been chilled and lifeless. He was to see her again. Their guide conducted them to a small anteroom, where he left them. A few moments later the ,door opened, and there swept quickly into the room the Countess Dagmar, not the princess. Her face was drawn with the trouble and sorrow she was trying so hard to conceal. Both men were on their feet in an instant, advancing to meet her. "Th'e princess? Is she ill?" demand ed Lorry. "Not ill, but mad, I fear," answered she, giving a hand to each. "Mr. Lor ry, she bids me say to you that she cannot see you. She appreciates the 'mportance of your mission and thanks you for the interest you have taken. Also she authorizes me to assure you that nothing can be done at present re garding the business on which you come." "She refuses to see us," said he slow ly, his face whiter than ever. "Nay; she begs that you will excuse her. Her highness is sorely worn and distressed today, and, I fear, cannot en dure all that is happening. She is ap parently calm and composed, but I, who know her so well, can see the strain beneath." "Surely she must see the urgency of quick action in this matter of ours!" cried Anguish half angrily. "We are not dogs to be kicked out of the castle. We have a right to be treated fairly" "We cannot cenlsure the princess, Harry," said Lorry calmly. "We have come because we would befriend her, and she sees fit to reject our good of fices. There is but cne thing left for us to do-depart as we came." "But I don't liL'e it a little bit," growled the other. "If you only knew, Mr. Anguish, you would not be so harsh and unjust," re monstrated the lady warmly. Turning to Lorry, she said, "She asked me to hand you this, and to bid you retain it as a token of her undying esteem." She handed him a small, exquisite miniature of the :princess framed in gold Inlaid with rubies. lHe took it dumbly in his fingers, but dared not look at the portrait it contained- With what might have seemed disrespect he dropped the treasure into his coat pocket "Tell her I shall always retain it as a token of her esteem," he said. "And now may I ask whether she handed my note to her usee, the count?" . The countess Dlushed In a most un aontnble ma nne Koit w~hile inwasvith her," she said, recovering the presence of mind she apparently had lost. "She destroyed it I presume," said he, laughing harshly. "I saw her place it in her bosom, sir, and with the right hand," cried the countess as if betraying a state secret. "In her- You are telling me the truth?" cried he, his face lighting up. "Now, see here, Lorry, don't begin to question the countess' word. I won't stand for that," Interposed Anguish good humoredly. "I should be more than base to say falsely that she had done anything so absurd," said the countess indignantly. "Where is she now?" asked Lorry. "In her boudoir. The Prince Lorenz is with her-alone." "What!" he cried, jealousy darting into his existence. le had never known jealousy before. "They are betrothed," said she, .with an effort. There was a dead silence, broken by Lorry's deep groan as he turned and walked blindly to the oppo site side of the room. He stopped in front of a huge painting and stared at it, but did not see a line or a tint. "You don't mean to say she has ac ceptedy' half whispered Anguish. "Nothing less." "Thank God, you are only a count ss," he said tenderly. "Why-why-wtat difference can it make-I mean, why do you say that?" she stammered, crimson to her hair. "Because you won't 1.ve to sell your self at a sacrifice," he sail foolishly. Lorry came back to them at this junc ture, outwardly calm and diiberate. "Tell us about it, pray. We had guessed as much." "Out there are his people-the wretch es!" she cried vindictively, her pretty face in a helpless frown. "Today was the day, you know, on which he was to have his answer. He came and knelt in the audience chamber. All Grau tark had implored her to refuse the hated offer, but she bade him rise, and there, before us all, promised to be come his bride. "The greatest sorrow Graustark has ever known grows out of that decision. She is determined to save for us what her father's folly lost. To do this she becomes the bride of a vile wretch, a man who soils her pure nature when he thinks of her. Oh, we sought to dis suade her-we begged, we entreated, but without avail. She will not sacri flee one foot of Graustark to save her self. See the triumphant smiles on their faces-the brutes!" She pointed nraliciously to the chattering visitors in the hall. "Already they think the castle theirs. The union of Graustark and Axphain-just what they most de sired, but we could not make her see it so!" "Is the day set?" asked Lorry brave ly after a moment's silent inspection f the dark browed victors. "Yes, and there Is to be no delay. The marriage contract has already been signed. The date is Nov. 20, the day on which we are to account to Bolaroz for our war debt The old prince's wedding gift to Graustark is to be a document favoring us with a ten years' extension," she said scorn rully. "And where is she to live?" "Here, of course. She is Graustark's ruler, and here she insists on abiding. Just contemplate our court! Overrun with those Axphain dogs! Ah, she has wounded Graustark more than she has helped her." There was nothing more to be said or done, so after a few moments the Americans took their departure. The countess bade thema farewell, saying that she must return to the princess. "I'll see you tomorrow," said An guish, with rare assurance and the air of an old and Indispensable friend. "And you, Mr. Lorry?" she said curi ously. "I am very much -cupied," he mum bled. "You do wrong in seeking to deceive me," she whispered as Anguish passed through the door ahead of them. "I know why you do not come." "Has she told you?" "I have guessed. Would that it could have been you and not the oth er!" "One cannot be a man and a prince at the same time, I fancy," he said bitterly. "Nor can one be a princess and a woman." Lorry recalled the conversation in the sickroom two weeks before and smiled ironically. The friendly girl left them at the door, and they passed out of the eastle. "I shall leave Edeiweiss tomorrow," said one, more to himself than to his "Out there are ils peoplc." companion as they crossed the parade. The other gave a start and did not look pleased. Then he instinctively glanced toward the castle. "The princess Is at the window!" he cried, catching Lorry's arm and point ing back. But the other refused to turn, walking on blindly. "You ought not to have acted like that, Gren," said Anguish a few moments later. "She saw me call your attention to her, and she saw you refuse to look back. I don't think that you should have hurt her." Lorry did not respond, and there was no word between them until they were outside the castle gates. "You may leave tomorrow, Lorry, if you like, but I'm going to stay awh ile," said Harry a trifle confusedly. "Haven't you had enough of the place?" "I don't care a whoop for the place. You see, it's this way: I'm just as hard hit as you, and it is not a princess that I have to contend with." "You mean that you are in love with the countess?" "Emphatically." "I'm sorry for you." "Think she'll turn me down?" "Unless you buy a title of one of these miserable counts or dukes." "Oh, I'm not so sure about that. These counts and dukes come over and marry our American girls. I don't see why I can't step in and pick out a nice li+tle onntess If I want to." "She is not as avaricious as the counts and dukes, I'll wager. She cares nothing for your money." "Well, she's as poor as a church mouse," said the other doggedly. "The countess poor? How do you know?" "I asked her one day, and she told me all about it," said Anguish. CHAPTEIR X . A CLASH AND ITS RLsULT. 6 FEEL like spending the rest of my days in that monastery up there,"-said Lorry after dinner that evening. They were stroll ing about the town. One was deter wined to leave the city, the other firm in his resolve to stay. The latter won the day -hen he shrewdly if explosive ly reminded the former that it was their duty as men to stay and proteot the princess from the machinations of Gabriel, that knave of purgatory. Lor ry, at last recognizing the hopelessness of his suit, was ready to throw down his arms and abandon the field to supe rior odds. His presumption in aspiring for the hand of a princess began to touch his sense of humor, and he laughed, not very merrily, it is true, but long and loudly, at his folly. At first he cursed the world and every one in It, giving up in despair, but later he cursed only himself. Yet as he de spaired and scoffed he felt within him self an ever present hope that luck might turn the tide of battle. This puny ray grew perceptibly when Anguish brought him to feel that she needed his protection from the man who had once sought to despoil and who might reasonably be expected to persevere. He agreed to linger in Edel weiss, knowing that each day would add pain to the torture he was already suffering, his sole object being, he con vinced himself, to frustrate Gabriel's evil plans. Returning late in the evening from their stroll, they entered a cafe cele brated in Edelweiss. In all his life Lorry had never known the loneliness that makes death velcome. The cafe was crowded with men and women. In a far corner sat a party of Axphain nobles, their prince, a most democratic fellow, at the head of a long table. There were songs, jests and boisterous laughter. The'celebration grew wilder, and Lorry and Anguish crossed the room and, taking seats at a table, ordered wine and cigars, both eager for a closer view of the prince. How Lorry loathed him! Lorenz was a good looking young fel low, little more than a boy. His smooth face was flushed, and there was about him an air of dissipation that suggest ed depravity In its advanced stage. The face that might have been handsome was the reflection of a roue, dashing, devilish. He was fair haired and tall, taller than his companions by half a head. With recliless abandon he drank and sang and jested, arrogant in his flighty merriment. His cohorts were not far behind him in riotous wit At length one of the revelers, speak ing in German, called on Lorenz for a toast to the Princess Yetive, his prom ised bride. Without a moment's hesita tion the prince sprang to his feet, held his glass aloft and cried: "Here's to the fairest of the fair, sweet Yetive, so hard to win, too good to lose. She loves me, God bless her heart! And I love hier, God bless my heart too! For each kiss from her won drous lips I shall credit myself .with 1,000 gavvos. That is the price of a kiss." "I'll give 2,000!" roared one of the nobles, and there was a laugh in which the prince joined. "Nay! I'll rot sell them now. In after years, when she has grown old and her lips are parched and dry from the sippings I have had, I'll sell them all at a bargain. Alas, she has not yet kissed mel" Lorry's heart bounded with joy, though his hands were clinched in rage. "She will kiss me tomorrow. To morrow I shall taste what no other man has touched, what all men have coveted. And i'll be generous, gentle men. She Is so fair that your foul mouths would blight with but one caress upon her tender lips, and yet you shall not be deprived of bliss. I shall kiss her thrice for each of .you. Let me count. Thrice eleven is thirty three. Aye, thirty-three of my kisses shall be wasted for the sake of my friends. Lucky dogs! Drink to my princess!" "Bravo!" cried tlhe others. And the glasses were raised to lip. A chair was overturned. The form of a man landed suddenly at the side of the prince, and a rough hand dashed the glass from his fingers, the contents flying over his immaculate English evening dress. "Don't you dare to drink that toast!" cried a voice in his astonished ear, a voice speaking in excit~ed German. He whirled and saw a scowling face be side his own, a pair of gray eyes that flashed fire. "What do you mean?" he demanded, anger replacing amazement. The oth er members of his party stood as if spellbound. "I mean that you speak of the Prin cess of Graustark. Do you understand that, you miserable cur?" "Oh!" screamed the prince, convulsed with rage, starting back and instinc tively reaching for the sword he did not carry. "You shall pay for this! I will teach you to Interfere" "I'll insult you more decidedly just to avoid misapprehension," snarled Lorry, swinging his big fist squarely upon the mouth of the prince. His royal highness landed under a table ten feet away. Instantly the cafe was In an uproar. The stupefied Axphainians regained their senses, and a general assault was made upon the hotheaded American. He knocked another down, Harry An guish coming to his assistance with several savage blows, after wvhich the Graustark spectators and the waiters inerfered. It was all over in an in stant, yet a sensation that would live in the gossip of generations had been created. A prince of the realm had been brutally assaulted! Holding his jaw, Lorenz picked himself from the floor, several of his friends running to his aid. There wa':s blol on his lips and chin; it trickled to his shirt front. For some moments he stood panting, glaring at Lorry's mocking face. "I am Lorenz of Axphain, sir," he said at last, his voice quivering with suppressed anger. "It shall be a pleasure to kill you, Lorenz" observ'ed his adversary, dis playing his ignorance of leze majesty. Anguish, pale and very much con cerned, dragged him away, the prince leaving the cafe ahead of them, fol lowed by his chattering, cursing com anions. Prince Gabriel was standing near the door as they passed out. He looked at the Americans sharply, and Anguish detected.something like trium phant joy in his eyes. "Good Lord, Lorry, this means a duel! Don't you know that?" cried he as they started upstairs. "Of course I do, and I'm going to kill thatvmlein too!" eaime Lorry Jond enough--t75b*1iar( trom~i nai'1idTLhe room to the other. "This is horrible, horrible! Let me square it up spine way if"- began the alarmed Anguish. "Square it up! Look here, Harry An guish. I am the one who will do the squaring. If h'e wants a duel, he can have it at any old time and in any style he desires." "He may kill you!' "Not while a just God rules over our destinies. I'll take my chances with pistols, and now let me tell you one thing, my boy: He'll never live to touch his lips to hers, nor will there be a roy al wedding. She cannot marry a dead man." He was beside himself with ex citement, and it was fully half an hour before Anguish could bring him to a sensible discussion of the afair. Grad ually be became cool, and, the fever once gone. he did not lose his head again. "Choose pistols at ten paces and at 8 tomorrow," lie said nonchalantly, as a rap at the door of their apartment an nounced the arrival of the prince's friend. Anguish admitted two -well dressed, black bearded men, both of whom had sat at the prince's table in the cafe. They introduced themselves as the Duke of Mizrox and Colonel Attobawn. Their visit was brief, formal and con clusive. "We understand that you are persons of rank in your own America?" said the Duke of Mizrox after a few mo ments. "We are sons of business men," re sponded Mr. Anguish. "Oh, well, I hardly know. But his highness is very willing to waive his rank and to grant you a meeting." "I'm delighted b5y his highness' con descension, which I perfectly under stand," observed Mr. Anguish. "Now, what have we to settle, gentlemen?" "The detail of weapons." When Anguish announced that his principal chose pistols, a strange gleam crept into the eyes of the Asphanians, and they seemed satisfied. Colonel At tobawn acted as interpreter during this short but very important interview, which was carried on in the Axphain language. Lorry sat on the window sill steadfastly gazing into the night. The ~VItors-eparted soon, and it was un derstood that Princ'orenrwo .ld con descend to meet Mr. Lorry at 8 o0I . on the next morning in the valley be yond the castle, two miles from town. There was no law prohibiting duels In Graustark. "Well, you're in for it, old man," said Anguish gloomily, his chin in his hands as he fastened melancholy eyes upon his friend. "Don't worry about me, Harry. There's only one way for this thing to "Don't ytou dare to drink that toast!'" end. His royal highness is doomed." Lorry spoke with the earnestness and conviction of one who is permitted to see into the future. Calmly he prepared to write some letters, not to say farewell, but to ex plain to certain persons the cause of the duel and to say that he gloried in the good fortune which had presented itself. One of these letters was ad dressed to his mother, anothep to the father of Prince Lorenz and the last to the Princess of Graustark. To the latter he wrote much that did not ap pear in the epistles directed to the oth ers. Anguish had been in his room more than an hour and had frequently called to his friend and begged him to secure what rest he could in order that their nerves might be steady in the morning. But it was not until after midnight that the duelist sealed. the envelopes, directed them and knocked at his second's door to say: "I shall intrust these letters to you, Harry. You must see that they start on their way tomorrow." Then he went to bed and to sleep. At 6 o'clock his second. who had slept hut little, called him. They dressed hurriedly and prepared for the ride to the valley. Their own new English bulldog revolvers were to serve as weapons in the coming com bat, and a carriage was to be in wait ~for thenm in a side street at '7 o lock. Before leaving their room they heard evidences of commotion in the hotel and were apprehensive lest the in mates had learned of the duel and were making ready to follow the fight ers to the appointed spot There was a confusion of voices, the sound of rush ing feet, the banging of doors, the noise increasing as the two men stepped into the open hail. They were amazed to see half dressed men and women standing or running about the halls, intense excitement in their faces and in their actions. White uniformed policemen were flocking into the corri dors. Soldiers, coatless and hatless, fresh from their beds, came dashing upon the scene. There were excited cries, angry shouts and, more mystify ing than all, horrified looks and whis "What has happened?" asked Lorry, stopping near the door. ~It can't be a fire. Look! The door to that room down there seems to he the center of attraction. Hold on! Don't go over there, Lorry. There may be something to unnerve you, and that must not happen now. Let us go down, this stairway. It leads to a side en trance, I think." They were half way down the stairs when the thunder of rushing feet in the hall above came to their ars, causing them to hesitate be tween curiosity and good judgment. "They are coming this way." ~Hear them howl! What the devil can be the cause of all this rumpus?" cried the other. At that instant a hfalf dozen polle guards appeared at the head of the stairs. jpon seeing the Americans they stopped and turned as if to oppose a foe approaching from the opposite di rection. Baron Dangloss separated himself from the white coats above and called to the men below. In alarm they started for the street door. He ally fed Raen enangmng'rom_ Wite to purple, his anxious eyes darting first toward the group above and then to ward the bewildered Americans. "What's the matter?" demanded Lor '3'. "There! See!" cried Dangloss, and even as he spoke a conflict began at the head of the stairs, the police, aug mented by a few soldiers, struggling against a howling, enraged mass of Axphainians. Dangloss dragged his re luctant charges through a small door, and they found themselves in the bag gage room of the hotel. Despite their queries he offered no explanation, but rushed them along, passing out of the opposite door, down a short stairway and into a side street. A half dozen police guards were awaiting them, and before they could catch the faintest. idea of what it all meant they were runnmg with the officers through an alley as if pursued by demons. "Now, what in thunder does this mean?" panted Lorry, attempting to slacken the pace. He and Anguish were just beginning to regain their senses. "Do not stop! Do not stop!" wheezed Dangloss. "You must get to a place of safety. We cannot prevent something dreadful happening if you are caught!" "If we are caught!" cried Anguish. "Why, what have we done?" "Unhand me, Baron Dangloss. This is an outrage!" shouted Lorry. "For heaven's sake, be calm! We are befriending you. When we reach the tower, where you wilk be- safe, I shall explain," gasped the panting chief of police. A few moments later they were inside the prison gates, angry, Impa tient, fatigued. "Is this a plan to prevent the duel?" demanded Lorry, turning upon the chief, who had dropped limply into a chair and was mopping his brow. When he could find his breath enough to an swer, Dangloss did so, and he might as well have thrown a bombshell at their feet. "There'll be no duel. Prince Lorenz is dead!" "Dead!" gasped the others. "Found dead in his bed, stabbed to the heart!" exclaimed the chief. "We have saved you from his friends, gen tlemen, but I must say that you are still in a tight place." He then related to them the whole story. Just before 6 o'clock Mizrox had gone to the prince's room to prepare %Sinr for the duel. The door was closed, but unlocked, asbhe found after repeat ed knocking ',1.a lying on the bed, undress s ith blood. The horrified dukeaty ex amination and found that dead. A dagger had been driven to as he slept. The hotel was aroused, tjV police were called, and the excitement was at its highest pitch when the two friends came from their room a few minutes after G. "But what have we to do with this dreadful affair? Why -are we rushed off here like criminals?" asked Lorry, a feeling of cruel gladness growing out of the kno-w1edge that Lorenz was dead 'and that the princess was freed from her compact. "My friend," said Dangloss slowly, "you are accused of the murder." Lorry was too much stunned to be angry, too weak to protest For some moments after the blow fell he and Anguish were speechless. Then came the protestations, the rage and. the threats, through all of which Dangloss sat calmly. Finally he sought to quiet them, partially succeeding. "Mr. Lorry, the evidence is very strong against you, but you shall not be unjustly treated. You are not a prisoner as yet. In Graustark a man who is accused of murder and who was not seen by any one to commit the crime annot be legally arrested until an accuser shall go before the princess, who is also high priestess, and swear on his life that he knows the guilty man. The man who so accuses agrees to forfeit his own life in case the other is proved innocent. If you are to be charged with thd murder of the prince, some one must go before the princess and take oath-his life against yours..I am holding you here, sir, because it is the only place in which you are safe. Lorenz's friends would have torn you to pieces had we not found you first. You are not prisoners, and you may de part if you think it wise." "But how can they accuse me? I knew nothing of 'the murder until I reached this place," cried Lorry, stop ping short in his restless walk before the little baron. "So you say, but" "If you accuse me; I'll kill you!" whispered Lorry, holding himself tense. Anguish caught and held him. "Be calm, sir," cautioncd Dangloss. "I may have my views, but I am not willing to take oath before her royal highness. Listeh: You were heard to say you would kill him. You began the fight You were the aggressor, and there is no one else on earth, it is said, who could have wished to murder him. The man who did the stabbing entered the room through the hall door and left by the same. There are drops of blood in the carpet, leading direct to yur door. On your knob are the prints of bloody fingers where you or some one else-placed his hand in opening the door. It was this discov ery, made by me and my men, that fully convinced the enraged friends of the dead p~rince that you were guilty. When we opened the door, you were gone. Then came the search, the fight at the head of the stairs and the race to the prison. The~ reason I sa'ved you from that mob should be plain to you. I love my princess, and I do not for get that you risked your life, each of you, to protect her. I have done all that I can, gentlemen, to protect you in return. It means death to you if you fall Into the hands of his followers just now. A few hours will cool them off no doubt, but now-now it would be madness to face them. I know not what they have done to my men at the hotel-perhaps butchered them." There was anxiety in Dangioss' voice, and there was honesty in his keen old eyes. His charges now saw the situation clearly and apologized warmly for the words they had ut tered under the pressure of somewhat extenuating circumstances. They ex pressed a willingness to remain in the prison until the excitement abated or until some one swore his life against the supposed murderer. They were virtually prisoners, and they knew it well. Furthermore, they could see that Baron Dangloss believed Lorry guilty of the murder. Protestations of inno cence had been politely received and .politely disregarded. "Do you expect one of his friends to take the oath?" asked Lorry. "Yes; it is sure to come." "But you will not do so yourself?" "No." "I thank you, captain, for I see that you believe me guilty." "I do not say you are guilty, remem ber, but I wlli say that if you did mur der Prince Lorenz you have made the people of Graustark rejoice from the bottoms of their hear'ts, and you will be eulogized from one end of the land +o he other." "Haniged and eulogized" 'said Lorry grimly. [TO BE CONTINUED.] The Tale of a Tai. A writer in tracing the ancestry of the dog to wolf and jackal notices typ ical differences in the case of their eyes, their body colors and markings, the habit of turning around before ly ing down and other interesting pecul iarities, but he does not mention the most striking and infallible way of dis tinguishing them-namely, by the fash ion in which they carry their tails. Wolves and coyotes have a sneaking way of carrying their tails low, almost dragging on the ground, while dogs carry their tails up, and the farther re moved they are from the feral type the higher they carry them. Shepherds and collies, which retain many of their racial characteristics, carry their tails lowest of all; setters and pointers a de gree or two higher, stiffening out straight when drawing on game; ter riers and hounds elevate their tails to the spinal line; St. Bernards and New foundlands affect a curve over the back, while pugs actually come to a full twist An old plainsman could tell a wolf or coyote as far as he could see him, and in buffalo days this was a most useful indication of buffalo herds being not far away. These pred atory creatures always followed a mov ing herd.-Forest and Stream. Crabs and Earthquakes. For some time previous to the day upon which the great Chilean earth quake. of August, 1857, occurred great swarms of crabs of an unknown .va riety were seen in the bay of Payta. They all appeared to be greatly excit ed and were literally climbing over each other in their efforts to escape the impending calamity. How they knew that the earthquake was collecting its strength to desolate the coast is more than man can say, but that they knew something unusual was about to happen there is no doubt whatever. That there were millions of them may be inferredefrom the report of Dr. Forbes, who says that "ten days after the earthquake the dead crabs were thrown upon the beach in a wall-like line three or four feet wide along the whole extent of the bay." What the Diekens! The London Chronicle declares that "What the dickens!" has nothing to do with the novelist. It is as old as Shakespeare. who in the ",Merry Wives of Windsor" makes Mrs. Page say to Ford, "I cannot tell what the dickens name is." And so the word-aal inutive of Dick, like Wil and Ho (I aWge use as a substitute for another and more important D. As to."play the dickens," one thinks of Smollett and Humphry Clinker and the immortal scene in which the lion "would roar and tear and play the dickens," and in comparatively late times Thomas Moore could write: Like the Goths who played the dickens With Rome and all her sacred chickens.,, A French Dog Story. A Parisian lady went out recently for a walk in the Avenue de Clichy taking with her a toy terrier,~ which she held by a string. While she was looking into a shop window two mis chievous boys substituted a bone for the dog. A Great Dane then appeared on the scene, and, seeing the bone, made a dash and swallowed it, string included. The lady turned round and in despair cried out. that the Great Dane had eaten her pet. The little dog was found later on, much to the joy of. hs mistress, who carried hm offin a cab. Bismarck's Feed of Oysters. Bismarck on one occasion told Sid ney Whitman of his well known teat In oyster eating. He was once in Liege, where he ordered some oysters in a restaurant-fifty to begin with. He saw the lady behind the counter look up in surprise; so, when he? had eaten them, wishing to see what effect it might have on her, he ordered an other fifty, and so on until he had eaten- 170 oysters. Mr. Whitman adds that "it is'only fair to remember that in all probability they were the small Ostend variety." For Body and Soul. Here is a curious advertisement, re published in the Cornhill Magazine from an eighteenth century paper: "Wanted-For a family who have bad health, a sober, steady person, in the capacity of a doctor, surgeon and apothecary. He must occasionally act . In the capacity of butler and dress hair and wigs. He will be required to read prayers occasionally and to preach a sermon every Sunday. The reason of this advertisement is that the family cannot any longer afford the expense of the physical tribe and wish to be at a certain expense for their bodies and souls. A good salary will be given." Teeth of a Sharkc. In respect to its dentition the shark is a very remarkable creature. The white shark has seven rows of teeth, while other species vary in the num ber of rows they possess. It must be understood, however, that the shark only uses one row at a time. The, other rows lie down inside the mouth behind the edge of the jaw, erecting themselves when it is time for them to take successively the place of the first row. When one observes how keen edged these incisors are It seems no wonder that they can bite off a big rope as readily as If it were pack thread. Naval Discipline. The force of naval discipline Is shown In this true story of the captain who, fatally smitten with cholera, was being taken ashore to the hospital. The story is told in "Sport In the Navy." The captain's men were rowing as slowly and gently as possible in order not to disturb him. The dying captain beckoned the midshipman in charge of the boat and whispered these last words: "Ten days' black list for the crew for not giving way!" Sleep Ifethods. It is said that hours of sleep can be regulated by two simple -methods: First, never allow yourself to be awak ened, but insist on being undisturbed until you awaken naturally; second, get up the minute you are awake. The hours of sleep will soon become adapt ed to the requirements of your consti tution. Gory. "What do you gain by deluging every street of Paris with blood?" declaimed fripping Danton. "At least I will make a great alley gory," reasoned Robespierre, glancing down the Rt : .toyale at the reeking guillotine.-Ynie Record. The life of every man is a diary In which he means to write one story and