The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-12-05

L
touching his injured arm gently. "Wiii
you forget the one that gave you this
wound?"
cit is very gentle wound, and love
it so that pray it may never heal"
She looked away suddenly.
"Tell me one thing" she said, mist
coming over her eyes. "You say they
are hunting you to the death. Then
then your fault must be a grievous one.
Have you-have you killed a man"
she added hastily. He was silent for
a long time.
"I fear have killed more than one
man." he said in low tones. Again she
shrank into the corner of the coach.
"History says that your father was
brave soldier and fought in many bat
ties" he went on.
"Yes," she said, thinking Of Major
George Calhoun.
"He killed men then, perhaps, as l
have killed them," he said.
"Oh, my father never killed a man~
cried Beverly in devout horror.
"Yet Graustark reveres his mighty
p-owess on the field Of battle" said
he, half laconically.
"Oh," she murmured, remembering
that she was now the daughter Of
Yetive's father. 81 see. You are not
a-a-a mere murderer, then?"
ssNo. I have been soldier. That Is
ALL"
'Thank heavenr she murmured and
was no longer afraid Of him. Would
would a pardon be Of any especial
benefit to you?" she asked, wondering
how far her influence might go with the
Princess Yetive.
ut Is beyond your power to help
me" he said gravely. She was silent,
but it was the silence of deep refec-
ton. "Your highness left the castle
ten days ago." he said, dismissing him
self as a subject for conversation.
"Have you kept in close communica-
ton with Edelweiss during that timer"
81 know nothing Of what is going on
there" she said quite truthfully. She
only knew that she had sent mes
sage to the Princess Yetiye apprising
her Of her arr;7ai in ST Petersburg
ard % her intention to leave soon for
tbs Graustark capital.
chen you do not know that Mr.
Lozry Is still on the Dawsbergen FROM
tier in conference with representatives
from Serros. He may not return fer
a week, so Colonel Quinnox brings
back word
cts news to me-" murmured Bev-
erly.
seYou do not seem to be alarmed" he
ventured. yet 1 fancy it is not dan
gerous mission, although Prince Ga
briel is ready to battle at a moments
notice"
81 .l2-e the utmost confidence in Mr..
Lorry," said Beverly, with proper
pride.
Baron Dangloss, your minister Of
police. is IN these mountains watching
the operations Of ASpbain scouts and
spies
us be? You are very well posted, It
seems"
Moreover, the Axphainians are plan
ming to attack Ganlook upon the first
signal from their ruler. do not wish
to alarm your highness, but we may as
well expect trouble before we come
to the Ganlook gates. You are known
to be in the pass, and I am certain
an effort will be made to take posses
sion Of your person"
"They wouldn't darev she exclaim-
ed. .sUncle Sam would annihilate them
in week
Uncle Sam? Is he related to your
Aunt Fanny? I'm afraid he could do
but little against Volga's fighting men" ;"
he said, with a smile.
They'd soon find out who Uncle
Sam is if they touch me-" she threat
ened grandly. He seemed puzzled, but
was too polite to press her for expla-
nations. "But he is long way off
and couldn't do much if we were sud-
denly attacked from ambush, could he?
What would they do to me if I were
taken, as you suggest?" She was more
concerned than she appeared to be.
.'With you in their hands, Graustark
would be utterly helpless. Volga could
demand anything she liked and your
ministry would be forced to submit"
"I really think it would be a capital
joke on the Princess Volga," mused
Beverly refectively. He did not know
what she meant, but regarded her soft
smile as the clear title to the serenity
Of princess.
She sank back and gave herself over
to the complications that we're likely to
grow out of her involuntary deception.
The one thing which worried her more
than all others was the fear that Yetive
might not be in Edelweiss. According
to all reports, she had lately been in st.
Petersburg, and the mere fact that she
was supposed to be travelling by coach
was sufficient proof that she was not
at her capital. Then there was, OF
,I>1o f1n