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So it was that the Princess of Graustark, erstwhile Miss Guggenslocker, was being dragged through the n Within a n ao-thirds of her do people into subjects of the hated Axphain, or to sell herself, body and soul, to a loathsouise of a suitor And, with all this confronting her, she had co; that it was breaking her tortured heart She was in love--but with no royal prince! Of this, however, the Countess knew nothing, so Lorry had one great secret to cherish alone

"Has she chosen the course she will pursue?" asked Lorry, as the Countess concluded her story Isis face was turned away

"She cannot decide We have wept together over this dreadful, this horrible thing You do not knohat it means to all of us, Mr Lorry We love her, and there is not one in our land ould sacrifice her to save this territory As for Gabriel, Graustark would kill her before she should go to him Still she cannot let herself sacrifice those northern subjects when by a single act she can save theotten that her father brought this war upon the people, and she feels it her duty to pay the penalty of his error, whatever the cost"

"Is there no other to whom she can turn no other course?" asked Lorry

"There is none ould assist us, bankrupt as we are There is a question I want to ask, Mr Lorry Please look at me--do not stare at the fountain all the time Why have you come to Edelweiss?" She asked the question so boldly that his startled embarrassment was an unspoken confession He cal his reply She sat close beside hi hienslocker," he answered at last

"For what purpose? Thereyou so far You are not an American banker?"

"I had intended to ask her to bea faint hope

"You did not find Miss Guggenslocker"

"No I have not found her"

"And are you going home disappointed, Mr Lorry, because she is not here?"

"I leave the answer to your tender i pause

"May I ask when you expect to leave Graustark?" she asked, somewhat timidly