Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-05-24

the party who could speak and under
stand the English language. As Bev-
erly sat and watched his virile, mock
ing face and studied his graceful move
ments she found herself wondering
how an ignorant. homeless wanderer
in the hills could be SO poetic and so
cultured as this fellow seemed to be.
Three or four men, who were unmis-
takably of a lower order than their
companions, set about preparing q sup
per. Others unhitched the tired horses
and led them off toward the river. Two
dashing young fellows carried the seat
cushions under the rocky canopy and
constructed an elaborate couch for the
ssprincess." The chief, with his own
hands, soon began the construction OF
a small chamber in this particular cor
ner OF the cave near the opening. The
walls of the chamber were formed Of
carriage robes and blankets. cloaks and
oak branches.
"The guest chamber, your highness, "
he said. approaching her with smile
at the conclusion Of his work.
at has been most Interesting to
watch YOU" she said, rising.
"And it has been delight to inter-
ast you," he responded. "You will find
Seclusion there, and you need see none
Of US until it pleases you"
She looked him fairly in the eye for q
moment and then impulsively extended
her hand. He clasped it warmly, but
not without some show Of surprise.
II am trusting you implicitly" she
said.
1.-THE knave is glorifed," was his
simple rejoinder He conducted her
to the improvised bedchamber, Aunt
Fanny following with loyal but un-
certain tread. II regret. your high
ness, that the conveniences are SO few.
We have no Iandlady except Mother
Earth. no walters, no porters, no maids,
In the Inn of the Hawk and Raven.
This being mems hotel, the baths are
on the river front. am having water
brought to your apartments, however,
but it is with deepest shame and sor-
row that confess we have no towels"
She laughed so heartily that his face
frightened perceptibly, while the faces
of his men turned in their direction as
though by concert.
st is a typical mountain resort,
then,n she said. 81 think can man
age very well If you win fetch my
bags to my room, SIR
by the way, win you have dinner
served in your room?" very good hui
moredly.
ssIf you don't mind, I'd like to eat In
the public dining ROOM" said she. A
few minutes later Beverly was sitting
upon one of her small trunks, and Aunt
Fanny was laboriously brushing her
dark hair.
'sIt's very jolly being a princess"
murmured Miss Calhoun. She had
bathed her face in one of the leather
buckets from the coach, and the dust
of the road had been brushed away by
the vigorous lady in waiting.
"Yaas, ma'aln, Missyo' highness,
hits monstrous fine fo' yo'. but whar
is All goin' to sleep? Out yondah wifi
all dose scalawags?" said Aunt Fanny
rebelliously.
"You shall have a bed in here, Aunt
Fanny" said Beverly.
sDey's de queeres' lot O. tramps All
eyeh did see, an All wouldn' trust EN-
as fer as All could heave brick
house,
"But the leader is such very courte-
GUS gentleman" demonstrated Beverly.
s.Yaas, ma'am; he mussa came I'm
Gawgia or Kaintuck," was Aunt Fan
ny's sincere compliment.
The pseudo princess dined with the
Tagabonds that night. She sat on the
log beside the tall leader and ate
heartily of the, broth and broiled goat
meat, the grapes and the nuts, and
drank of the spring water, which took
the place of wine and coffee and cor
dial. 1t was a strange supper amid
strange environments, but she enjoyed
it as she had never before enjoyed a
meal. The air was full Of romance
and danger, and her imagination was
enthralled. Everything was SO new
and unreal that she scarcely could be-
lieve herself awake The world seem
ed to have gone back to the days OF
Robin Hood and his merry men.
"You fare well at the Inn Of the
Hawk and Raven" she said to him,
her voice tremulous with excitement.
He looked mournfully at her for a
moment and then smiled naively.
sit is the first wholesome meal we
have had in two days. he replied.
"You don't mean it!''
EYES, We were lucky with the guns
today. Fate was kind to us-and to
you, for we are better prepared to en-
terrain royalty today than at any time
since 1 have been in the hills of Grau-
stark"
.sThen you have not always lived in
Graustark?'
@Alas, no, your highness. have
lived elsewhere"
aBut you were born in the princi-
pality?"