Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-07-31

II
He bore two sealed letters
. from the princess. One briefly
informed him that General Braze was
his successor as commander In chief
Of the army Of Graustark. He hesitat-
ed long before opening the other. 1t
was equally brief and to the point. The
Iron Counts teeth came together with
a savage snap as he read the signature
of the princess at the end. There was
no recourse. She had struck for Bev-
erly Calhoun. He looked at his watch.
1t was II o'clock. The edict gave him
twenty-four hours from the noon of
that day. The gray old libertine dis
patched messenger for his man of
affairs, a lawyer of high standing in
Edelweiss. Together they consulted
until midnight. Shortly after daybreak
the morning following Count Marlanx
was in the train for Vienna, never to
set foot on Graustark's soil again. He
was banished and his estates contiscat-
ed by the government.
The ministry in Edelweiss was not
slow to reopen negotiations with
Dawsbergen. A proclamation was
sent to the prime minister setting
forth the new order Of affairs and sug-
costing the Instant suspension Of hos.
tile preparations and the restoration of
Prince Dantan. Accompanying this
proclamation went a dignifed message
from Dantan informing his people that
he awaited their commands. He was
ready to resume the throne that had
been so desecrated. 1t would be his
Joy to restore Dawsbergen to its once
peaceful and prosperous condition. In
the meantime the Duke Of Mizrox dis
patched the news to the Princess Volga
of Axphain, who was forced to aban-
at least-her desper-
ate designs upon Graustark. The cap
ture Of Gabriel put an end to her trans
parent plans.
"But she Is bound to break out
against US sooner or later and on the
slightest provocation," said Yetive.
II dare say that friendly alliance
between Graustark and Dawsbergen
will prove sufficient to check any am,
billions she may have along that line,
said Ravone significantly. "They are
very near to each other now, your high
ness. Friends should stand together
Beverly Calhoun was in suspense
Baldos had been sent off to the frontier
by Prince Dantan, carrying the mes
sage which could be trusted to no 9th
er. He accompanied the Graustarl
ambassadors Of peace as Dantan's spe
cial agent. He went in the nighttime
and Beverly did not see him. Thu
week which followed his departur,
was the longest she ever spent. Sh,
was troubled in her heart for fea
that he might not return, despite th'
declaration she had made to him il
one hysterical moment. It was diff
cult for her to keep up the show o
cheerfulness that was expected of hel
Reticence became her strongest char
acteristic. She persistently refused t
lations with the absent one. Yetiv
was piqued by her manner at first, bu
wisely saw through the mask as tim
went on. She and Prince Dantan ha,
many quiet and interesting chats con
corning Beverly and the erstwhil
guard. The prince took Lorry and til
princess into his confidence. He toll
them all there was to tell about hi
dashing friend and companion.
Beverly and the young Princess Car
dace became fast and loving friends
The young girls worship of her brotl
er was beautiful to behold. She hud
died close to him on every occasion, an
her dark eyes bespoke alteration whel
ever his name was mentioned in he
presence.
''If he doesn't come back pretty 500
I'll pack up and start for home" BeN
erly said to herself resentfully one da.
"Then If he wants to see me he'll hay
to come all the way to Washin'ton, an
I'm not sure that he can do it. eithe
He's too disgustingly poor"
"Wha,s became o. dat Misteh Baldo
Miss Bev'ly?" asked Aunt Fanny in I'll
midst Of these sorry cogitations. "Ha
he tuck hit Int his haid to desc
US TO- good? Seems to me he
oughteh"-
/ "Now, that will do, Aunt Fanny
reprimanded her mistress sternl
"You are not supposed to know an,
thing about affairs of state, SO don
ask"
| At last she no longer could curb HI
impatience and anxiety. She delibe
ately sought information from Prime
Dantan. They were strolling in Il
park on the seventh day Of her i
QUESTION.
'Have you heard from Paul Baldos
she asked, bravely plunging into dee
water.
"He is expected here tomorrow or Il
next day, Miss Calhoun. am almo
as eager to see him as you are" he i
piled, with very pointed smile.
almost? Well, yes, I'll confess til
am eager to see him. never kne
could long for any one as much
L. Oh, well, there's no use hiding
from you. couldn't If tried. ca
very much for him. You don't THU
It sounds silly for me to say such
thing, do you? I've thought great de
Of him ever since the night at the Il
Of the Hawk and Raven. In my Il
agination have tried to strip you
your princely robes to place them up
him, but he is only Baldos in spite
1t all. He knows that care for hi
and I know that he cares for me. p
haps he has told you"
Eyes, he has confessed that he loy
you, Miss Calhoun. and he lalnents t