The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-10-13

could feel himself turn pale as something
warm began to trickle down his neck.
Now tell me which dispatch it was. I
read all Of them"
You did? OF what interest could they
have been?"
Curiosity does not recognize reason.
"You read every one Of them?'
"Assureoly.'
'Then I shall grant you the right to
guess which interested me the most You
Americans delight in puzzles, l am told.
Now. that is unfair"
so it is. Did you read the dispatch
from Constantinople?" Her arm fell to
her side suddenly as if she had just real
lied its position.
1.-The one that told of the French En-
bassador's visit to the Sultan?"
Concerning the small matter Of loan
Of some millions-yes. Well, that was OF
interest to me inasmuch as the loan, IL
made, will affect my country.
'Will you tell me what country you are
from?''
Il am from Graustark."
Yes; but 1 don't remember where that
is"
rs it possible that your American
schools do not teach geography? Ours
tell US where the United States are To-
Gated"
Il confess ignorance" he admitted.
Then 1 shall insist that you study a
map. Graustark is small, but 1 am as
proud of it you are Of this great broad
country that reaches from ocean to ocean.
l can scarcely wait until 1 again see our
dear crags and valleys, our rivers and
ever blue skies, our plains and our towns.
l wonder if you worship your country as
love mine?"
From the tenor of your remarks
Judge that you have been away from
for inc he -nI
I'VE have seen something of Asia, Aus
tralia Mexico and the United States since
we left Edelweiss, six months ago. Now
we are going home-home!' She uttered
the word so lovingly, so longingly, so ten
derby, that he envied the homeland.
There was a long break in the CONVEX
sation, both evidently wrapped in thought
which could not be disturbed by the whirl
of the coach He was wondering how he
could give her up. now that she had been
tossed into his keeping so strangely. She
was asking herself over and over again
how so thrilling an adventure would end.
They were sore and fatigued with the
strain on nerve and flesh It was an ex-
perience never to be forgotten, this ro-
mantle race over the wild mountain road
the result still in doubt Ten minutes ago
strangers; now-friends at least, neither
knowing the other. She was admiring him
for his generalship, his wonderful energy:
uC NdS DICSSlilS tHS IdIe IldL ndQ come
to his rescue when nope was almost dead.
He could scarcely realize that he was
awake Could it be anything but a vivid
fancy from which he was to awaken and
find himself alone in his berth, the buzz
ing, ciacking car wheels piercing his ears
with sounds so unlike those that had been
whispered into them by voice, sweet and
maddening, from out the darkness of a
dreamland cab?
Surely we must be almost at the end
OF this awful ride she moaned, yielding
completely to the long suppressed alarm.
Every bone in my body aches What
shall we do if they have not held the
train?"
Send for an undertaken" he replied
grimly, seeing policy in Jest Thew were
now ascending incline, humping over
boulders, hurtling through treacherous
ruIs and wateT-washed holes rolling
swinging jerking. crashing. 'eYou have
been brave ali along; don't give up now
1t is almost over. You'll soon be with
your friends"
How can I thank your she cried. grip
pins his arm once more. Again his hand
dropped upon hers and closed gently.
Il wish that l could do a thousand times
as much for you" he said thrillfngly. her
disheveled hair touching his face so close
were his lips ''Ah, the lights of the
town" he cried an instant later 'Lookr'
lie held her so that she could peer
through the rafting glass window Close
at hand, higher up the steep, many lights
were twinkling against the blackness.
Almost before they realized how near
they were to the lights the horses began
to Slacken their speed. a moment later
coming to a standstill. The awful ride
was over
Tire traini the trainr' she cried in
ecstdcy. Here. on the other side.
Thank heavenw
He could not speak for the joyful pride
that distended his heart almost to burst
ing The coach door flew open and Light
Horse Jerry yelled:
Here y're! l made herr
II should say you didr' exclaimed Cren-
fall, climbing out and drawing her after
him gently. Here's your ten"
Il must send you something. too nv
good fellow cried the lady "What ia
your address-quick?'
William Perkins, o., West Virginnv.
ma'am."
Lorry was dragging her toward the cars
t as the driver completed the sentence
Several persons were running down the
{ platform, dimly lighted from the string
{ Of car windows. She found time To mani
} as they sped along:
: He was not Light Horse Jerry at a11p,