The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-08-17
By
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHEON.

| ~.
She had been struck dumb by the
wording OF the note. but his apparently
sincere apology for his friend set her
every emotion into play once more.
While he was speaking her wits were
forming themselves for conflict. She
opened the campaign with a bold at
tack. "You-you believe me to be the
princess, sure enough, don't your
But with all her bravery she was not
able to look him in the face.
How can you doubt 1t. your high
ness7 Would 1 be serving you in the
present capacity II believed you to be
any one else2"
"Ravone's warning has not shaken
your faith in me?
1T has strengthened it. Nothing
could alter the facts in the case.
have not, since we left Ganlook, been
In doubt as to the Identity of my bene-
factress."
1T seems to me that you are beat
Ing around the bush. I'll come straight
to the point. How long have you
known that am not the Princess Of
Graustark"
WHAT" he exclaimed, drawing back
in well assumed horror. "Do you mean
are you jcsting? I beg of you, do
not jest. 1t is very serious with me-"
His alarm was so genuine that she was
completely deceived
Il am not jesting," she half whis-
pered, turning very cold "Have you
thought all along that am the prn-
cess; that am Grcnfall Lorry's wife?"
You told me that you were the prn-
cess"
But I've never said that was-was
any ones wife,"
There was piteOus appeal in her
voice, and he was not slow to notice it
and rejoice. Then his heart smote him.
But what Is to become of me If YOU
are not the pIincess?' he asked after
long pause. Il can no longer serve
you. This is my last day in the castle
guard"
You are to 80 on serving mel mean
you are t.. retain your place in the sery-
and humble she was beginning 10 ieei'
It did not seem so entertaining aI
all. this pretty deception or hers. no"n
IN his heart, underneath the gallah. eA,
! terror. what was his opinion Oh hef
Something was stinging her eyes herce-
". and she closed them to keep pacA
the tears Of modification.
"Niss Calhoun" he said, his manner
CHANGING swiftly, "I have felt from the
erst that YOU are not the Princess OF
craustark. knew 1t an hour AFTER
entered Edelweiss. Franz gave me
,o+a at Ganlook, but did not reao II
t .,n.,, was a member Of the guard.
"You have known It 30 iohs1 or
l. cried 1oyously. "And you have tfus'e'
r mep You have not hated me for ut
r .T have never ceased to regard yo
8. q. nv sovereign" he said softiy.
o. "But lust q moment ago you spoAe
,e "a risky American girl" she Gal
y resentfully. ,,. onc
IN ~ have used that term but ono
he whi,e I have said your highness
RS thousand times. Knowing that y
ce .,,oro M,ss Calhoun, could not ma
meant either ,.,.
I'LL ~ fancy I have no right to erf.ic
,ur VOL" she humbly admitted. Ailei
led II does not surprise me that you w
not deceived. Only an imbeciie co
oy- have been fooled all these weeks.
erv one said that you were no TOOL
gh- ooer,s ridiculous that 1t should IL
cone To this length, doesn't hf
rth- "Not at all, your highness.
por- not .,
her .You have the habit, i see'
The smiled. :,
Ian "I have several months yet TO g.
hn BRbNt
8 no am under orders to reg @o you "a
ion't nr,ncess. General Marlanx mas
We 1t me severe instructions In that resp
q In "You are willing to play the gan
.,a end p, she demanded. more
r his eed than she should have been.
"Assuredly, yes 1t Is the only
.ct, vuard I have. To alter my peNei
owly. licly would expose me too
'er 1t ITO what, BaldosT
e." he .Sro ridicule, for one thing, ana
generous mercies Of Count ma
Besides, it would deprive me
privilege I mentioned moment
erable the right to kisstyour hand. TO D'
item 1t s,ave and to do homage to INT
" sovereign, can recognize. sure'
ess." will, not subject me to exile fre
. You on,v lows that lRe holds Tor m'
to me. have sought to deceive me, ana
=" tried to deceive you. Each has
ghness, the other out, so we are quits. d
not now combine forces In ID
,sudable effort to deceive the
not the II the world doesn't kno"
Be ex, know, why. the comedy may
not lead , o,,t and the climax be m
nericans ura"h '"'
her and more amusing. 4.
all well "rm afraid there was t
your old time sarcasm in that
sbe said. Yes, I am willing