Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-06-19
by
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTChEON,
ksT
Copyright. 1904. u DsN.
Mead nd Gonpsny

"Oh, Pm not SO rich as all thatr' she
cried. Besides, think it is time for
general clearing up of mysteries.
Are you Prince Dantan, Prince Fred
eric or that other Christobal some
body? Come, be fair with me-"
ut seems that all Edelweiss looks
upon me as prince in disguise. You
found me in the hills
mo; you found me. 1 have not for
gotten, SIR
Il was a vagabond and fugitive.
MY friends are hunted as l am. We
have no home. Why every one should
suspect me Of being prince cannot
understand. Every roamer in the hills
Is not a prince. There is price upon
my head, and there is reward for the
capture of every man who was with
me in the pass. My name is Paul Bal
dos, Miss Calhoun. There is no mys-
terry in that If you were to mention
It In certain city, you would quickly
find that the name Of Baldos is not
unknown to the people who are search
Ing for him. No, your highness; re-
gret exceedingly that must destroy
the absurd impression that I am of
royal blood. Perhaps am spelling
pretty romance, but 1t cannot be help
ed. was Baldos the goat hunter; 1
am now Baldos the guard. Do you
think that I would be serving as a
Graustark guard II were any one of
the men you mention"
Beverly listened In wonder and some
disappointment, It must be confessed.
Somehow spark Of hope was being
forever extinguished by this straight
forward denial, He was not to be the
prince she had seen In dreams. You
are not like any one else" she said.
'That is why we thought of you as
lias-as"-
AS one Of those unhappy creatures
they call princes? Thank fortune, your
highness, am not yet reduced to such
straits. My exile will come only when
you send me away"
+ They were silent for long time.
Neither was thinking Of the hour or
the fact that her absence In the castle
could not be unnoticed. Night had
fallen heavily upon the earth. The
two faithful chair bearers, respectful,
but with wonder in their souls, stood
altar OF and waited. Baldos and Bev-
eriy were alone In their own little
| world.
II think liked you better when you
wore the red feather and that horrid
patch Of black" she said musingly.
"And was free hearted vagahond,"
he added, something lmploring in his
voice.
"An Independent courtier, II you
please. sir" she said severely.
DO you want me to go back to the
hills7 have the patch and the feather,
and my friends are
moi Don't suggest such thing
yef," She began the protest eagerly
and ended 1t in confusion.
"Alas. you mean that some day ban.
ishment is not unlikely"
you don't expect to be guard all
your life, do your
| mot to serve the Princess of Grau-
sArk. confess. My aim is much high
OF. II God lets me choose the crown 1
would serve would enlist for life. The
crown would serve Is wrought Of
love, the throne would kneel before is
q heart. the scepter would follow is
IN the slender hand of woman. /
could live and die in the service of my
own choosing, but am only the hum
L hun who
toms, whose ideals are conceived in i'm
potence."
| "That was beautiful" murmured
Beverly, looking up, fascinated for the
moment.
"Oh. that had the courage to enlist"
he cried, bending low once more. She
felt the danger in his voice, half tremu-
lous with something more than loyalty,
and drew her hand away from place
OF instant jeopardy. 1t was fire that
she was playing with, she realized with
a start Of consciousness. Sweet as the
spell had grown to be she saw that 1t
must be shattered.
ut is getting frightfully late" she
sharply exclaimed. They'll wonder
where I've gone to. Why, it's actually
darkr'
1T has been dark for half an hour,
your highness," said he, drawing him
self up with sudden rigidness that dis
tressed her. "Are you going to return
to the CASTER"
Eyes. They'll have out searching
party pretty soon If don't appear"
'"You have been good to me today."
he said thoughtfully. II shall try to
merit the kindness. Let me-
"Oh, please don't talk in that humble
way! It's ridiculousl I'd rather have
you absolutely impertinent. I declare
upon my honor would. Don't you re-
member how you talked when you
wore the red feather? Well, / liked
It"
| Baldos laughed easily, happily. His
heart was not very humble, though his
voice and manner We're.
"Red Is the color of insolence, you