Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-05-04
Beverly of
OrduStdrk
CHAPTER V.
Observation-Disclosures: 4:

~ in low tones and In language
which Beverly could not understand.
After awhile she found herself analyz-
Ing the garb and manner of the men.
She was saying to herself that here
were her first real specimens of Grau-
stark peasantry, and they were to
mark an ineffaceable spot in her men,
DRY. They were dark, strong faced men
OF medium height, with fierce black
eyes and long black hair. As no two
were dressed alike, it was impossible
to recognize characteristic styles of at
ire. Some were in the rude, baggy
! costumes of the peasant as she had
imagined him; others We're dressed In
the tight fitting but dilapidated uni
forms of the soldiery, while several
We're in clothes partly European and
partly oriental. There were hats and
fezzes and caps, some with feathers in
the bands, others without The man
nearest the coach wore the dirty gray
uniform Of an army officer, full of
holes and rents, while another strobe
along in pair of baggy yellow trou-
sers and a dusty London dinner Jacket.
All in all, it was the metliest band Of
yaGabends she had ever seen. There
were at least ten or a dozen tn the par.
ty While few carried swords, all
lugged the long rifles and crooked dag
gers OF the Tartars.
"Aunt Fanny" Beverly whispered,
suddenly moving to the side Of the sub
dued servant, where is my revolver"
1t had come to her like a flash that a
subsequent emergency should not and
her unprepared. Aunt lanny's jaw
dropped and her eyes. were like white
rings In q black screen.
Good Lawd, wha - what TO-, Miss
BeyIy"-
SSH Don't call me Miss Bev'ly.
Now, Just you pay 'tention to me, and
III tell you something queer Get my
revolver right away and don't let those
men see what you are doing" While
Aunt Fanny's trembling fingers went
In search of the tirearm, Beverly out
lined the situation briefly. but explicit
". The old woman was not slow to
understand. Her wits sharpened by
fear, she grasped Beverly's instruc-
tons with astonishing avidity.
"Ye'y well, yo' highness," she said
with fine reverence, "Ah'll pocuah de
bottle O. pepp'mint fo' yo' if yo' jes'
don mine me pullin an haulin'
'mongst desc boxes. Mebbe yo all
'druther hab de gingehT With this
wonderful subterfuge as shield she
dug slyly into one of the bags and
pulled forth revolver. Under ordi
nary circumstances she would have
been MORALLY afraid to touch it, but
not SO In this emergency. Beverly
showed the weapon into the pocket OF
her gray travelling jacket.
II feel much better now, Aunt Fan
n.y." she said, and Aunt Fanny gave
vast chuckle.
"Yaas, ma'am, indeed-yo' highness,'
she agreed suavely.
The coach rolled along for half ar
hour and then stopped with sudder
jolt. An instant later the tall driver
appeared at the window, his head un
covered. A man hard by held a Ian
tern.
"Qua vandos ar deltanet, yos serent,
said the leader, showing his whit,
teeth in triumphant smile. His ex
posed eye seemed to be glowing witt
pleasure and excitement.
"WhatT' murmured Beverly hopeless
~. A puzzled expression came int,
his face; then his smile deepened ant
his eye took on knowing CLEAN.
"Ah, l see," he said gayly, you
highness prefers not to speak the Ian
guage Of Graustark. Is it necessar,
for me to repeat in English?"
II really wish you would" said Bey
erly, catching her breath. "Just to Sc
how 1t sounds, you know"
"Your every wish shall be gratified
/ beg to inform you that we hav
reached the Inn Of the Hawk and Ra
ven. This Is where we dwelt last night
Tomorrow we, too, abandon the place
80 our fortunes may run together 70
some hours at least. There is but Iii
tie to offer you in the way Of nourlsl
ment, and there Is none Of the con
forts Of palace. Yet prlncesses ca
no more be choosers than beggar
when the fare's In one pot Come
your highness, let me conduct you t
the guest chamber Of the Inn Of tn
. Hawk and Raven"
Beverly took his hand and stepped t
tho ground, looking about in wonde
and perplexity.
IT see no inn," she murmured Apr,
. hensively.
! Look aloft, your highness. The
!. great black canopy is the roof; we al
! standing upon the floor, and the dar
p shadows just beyond the circle Of ligl
. are the walls Of the Hawk and Ravel
Z This is the largest tavern in all Graz
; stark. Its dimensions are as wide a
4 the world ITSELF"
, you mean that there is no inn q
all?" the girl cried in dismay.
. ALIAS, must confess it. And We
/, there Is shelter here. Come with MT
s Let your servant follow" He took he
p by the hand and led her away fro1
y the coach, q ragged lantern beare
preceding. Beverly's little right han
p WAS ilSIuAy clulCuAAS lue revolver
p her pocket. 1t was capacious poke
= and the muzzle Of the weapon bore
4 defantly into timid powder rag the
j lay on the bottom. The little leathe
p purse from which it escaped had II
= silver lips opened as If in broad gri
Of derision, revealing in the plight {
i the channels. The guides hand was 6
p once firm and gentle, his stride boil
4 NOT onsu Ria ra kish hot with ita q,