Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-05-15
By
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHEON,
re
Copyright. 1901. BY Dodd.
Mead md Company

to him that she was not the princess
he would refuse to enter the gates of
Ganlook, and be perfectly justified in
doing SO.
"But if should fail?" she asked at
last, n shiver rushing over her and
leaving her cold with dread
''You are the only hope, your high
ness. You had better say farewell to
Baldos and let him again seek the
friendly valley" said he YEARLY. 1--WE
can go no farther. The soldiers must
be near, your highness. 1t means cap
ture If we go on. cannot expose my
friends to the dangers. Let me be put
down here and do you drive on to
safety. shall fare much better than
you think, for am young and strong
, and"-
mo! I'll risk it!' she cried. "You
must go into the city. Tell them so,
and say that will protect you with my
own life and honor"
Fever made him submissive. Her
eyes gave him confidence. Her voice
soothed his fears, If he possessed them.
Leaning from the window he called
his men together. Beverly looked on
In wonder as these strange men babe
farewell to their leader. Many Of them
were weeping, and most of them kissed
bis hand. There were broken SEN
fences, tear choked promises, anxious
inquiries, and the parting was over.
Where are they going7" Beverly
whispered as they moved away in the
| dusk.
"Back into the mountains to starve,
poor fellows. God be kind to them.
God be good to Them" he half sobbed,
his chin dropping to his breast. He
was trembling like leaf.
"Starve" she whispered. "Have they
no money!"
1--WE are penniless." came in muffled
tones from the stricken leader.
Beverly leaned from the window and
called to the departing ones. Ravone
and one other reluctantly approached.
Without word she opened a small
travelling bag and drew forth heavy
purse. This she pressed into the hand
of the student. It was filled with
! Graustark gavvos, for which she had
exchanged American gold in Russia.
God be with you" she feryently
cried. He kissed her hand, and the
two stood aside to let the coach roll
on into the dusky shadows that sep.
arated them from the gates Of Gan.
look, old Franz still driving, the only
one Of the company left to serve his
leader to the very end.
"Well, we have left Them" muttered
Baldos as though to himself. II may
never see them again-never see them
again. And how true they have been!'
II shall send for them the moment
get to Ganlook, and I'll promise par
dons for them ALP she cried rashly ii
her compassion.
| "No," he exclaimed fercely; "you are
not to disturb them. Better that they
should starve."
| Beverly was sufficiently subdued. As
they drew nearer the city gates hel
heart began to fail her. This mans
life was in her weak, incapable hands
and the time was nearing when she
must stand between him and disaster.
where are these Wanted soldiers Of
yours7" he suddenly asked, infinite
irony in his voice.
my soldiers?' she said family.
"Isn't 1t rather unusual that in time
Of trouble and uncertainty we should
be able to approach within mile Of
one Of your most important cities with
out even so much as seeing a soldier
Of Graustark?"
She felt that he was scoffing, but i
mattered little to her.
at is bit odd, isn't itT' she agreed
'Worse than that, your highness"
II shall speak to Dangloss about it,
she said serenely, and he looked up il
new surprise Truly she was an ex
traordinary princess.
Fully three-quarters of an hour pass
ed before the coach was checked. Bev
erly, looking from the windows, hat
seen tho lighted windows Of cottages
growing closer and closer together
The barking Of roadside dogs was til,
only sound that could be heard abov,
the rattle Of the wheels. 1t was to,
dark inside the coach to see the fac,
Of the man beside her, but somethin,
told her that he was staring intentl,
into the night, alert and anxious. TIL
responsibility of her position swoopet
down upon her like an avalanche a
she thought Of what the next few min
utes were to bring forth. It was tn
sudden stopping Of the coach and tn
sharp commands from the outside tina
told her probation was at an end. Sh
could no longer speculate; 1t was higl
time to act.
"The outpost" came from Baldos, Ii
strained tones.
perhaps they won't know us-you,
mean" she whispered.
"Baron Dangloss knows everybody,
he replied bitterly.
"What horrid old busybody he"-
, de started to say, but thought bette
Of 1t.
A couple Of lanterns flashed at tn
window, almost binding her. Aun
! Fanny groaned audibly, but the figur
Of Baldos seemed to stiffen with de
fance. Uniformed men peered into tn
INTERIOR with more rudeness and curl
osity than seemed respectful to prin
cess, to say the least. They saw a pref
", pleading face, with wide gray eye
and parted lips, but they did not boy
In humble submission, as Baldos ha,
expected. One Of the men, evidently il
, command, addressed Beverly in roug
l tN,,t tfc lama tn L.