Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-05-25

going most unusual strain. II an
'noyed her to discover that the APP
preaching contact with humble goat
hunter was giving her such unmistak-
able symptoms of perturbation.
From an upstairs window In the hos
pital the convalescent but unhappy pa
tent witnessed her approach and ar
rival. His sore, lonely heart gave a
bound Of Joy. for the days had seemed
long since her departure.
He had had time to think during
these days too. Turning over In his
mind all Of the details in connection
with their meeting and their subse-
Quent Intercourse, it began to dawn
upon him that she might not be what
she assumed to be. Doubts assailed
him, suspicious grew Into amazing
forms Of certainty. There were times
when he laughed sardonically at him
self for being taken In by this strange
but charming young woman, but
through 1t all his heart and mind were
being drawn more and more fervently
toward her. More than once he called
himself a fool and more than once he
dreamed foolish dreams of her, prin-
cess or not. OF one thing he was sure
-he had come to love the adventure
for the sake Of what 1t promised, and
there was no bitterness beneath his
suspicious.
| Arrayed in clean linen and presenta-
BILE clothes. pale from indoor confine
ment and fever, but once more the
straight and strong cavalier of the
hills he hastened into her presence
when the summons came for him to
descend, He dropped to his knee and
kissed her. hand, determined to play
the game Notwithstanding his doubts.
As he arose she glanced for a fitting
second Into his dark eyes, and her own
long ilashes dropped
"Yeur highness" he said gratefully.
Flow we'll and strong you look!" she
said hurriediy. "some Of the tan Is
cone, but you look MS though you had
mover been Ill. Are you quite recoy-
eredfs no ,y5 ,,. st
'They say, 1 am as good as new he
smilingly answered. "A trifle weak
and uncertain In my lower extremities,
but few days Of exercise in the noun
tains Will overcome all that. Is all well
with you and Graustark? They will
give me no news here, by whose order
do not know
lAT,,rr ohv,,% ir Foir y,1or oil 10 a
/ well established fact that you will give
them no news. Yes, all Is well with
me and mine. Were you beginning to
think that / had deserted you? 1t has
been two weeks, hasn't it?"
"Ah, your highness, realize that you
have had much more important things
to do than to think of poor Baldos. I
am exceedingly grateful for this sign
Of Interest in my welfare. Your visit Is
the brightest experience Of my life"
''Be seatedw she cried suddenly.
"You are too Ill to stand"
Were dying should refuse to be
seated while your highness stands"
said he simply. His shoulders seemed
to square themselves involuntarily, and
his left hand twitched as though ac-
customed to the habit Of touching
sword hilt. Beverly sat down instant.
y. With his usual easy grace he took
Q chair near by. They were alone in
the antechamber.
"Nyen though You were on your last
AGsr she murmured, and then wonder
Cd how she could have uttered any
| thing so inane. Somehow she was be-
| ginning to fear that he was not the or.
binary person she had Judged him to
be. you are to be discharged from
the hospital tomorrow" she added
hastily.
Tomorrow" he cried, his eyes light
ing with JOY. II may 90 them"
Il have decided to take you to Edel-
weiss with me-" she said, very much as
II that were all there was to 1t. He
stared at her for a full minute as
though doubling his ears.
mo" he said at last his jaws set
ting, bis eyes glistening. It was
terrible setback for Beverly's conf
dence. your highness forgets that I
have your promise Of absolute free
DOM"
"But you are to be free" she protest
Cd. You have nothing to fear. It Is
not compulsory, you know. You don't
have to so unless you really want to.
But my heart Is set on having you in
IN the castle guard" His bitter, mock
ing laugh surprised and wounded her,
! which be was quick to see, for his
contrttion was immediate.
Pardon, your highness. am
rude, ungrateful wretch, and deserve
punishment instead OF reward. The
proposal was 90 astounding that for
got myself completely" he said.
Whereupon, catching him in this con-
trats mood. she began determined. as
sault against his resolution. For an
hour she devoted her whole heart and
soul to the task Of overcoming his
pre3udices, fears and objections, meet
ing bis protestations firmly and logic
ally, unconscious Of the fact that her
very enthusiasm was betraying her to
him. The hrst signs Of weakening in
spired her afresh and at last she was
1iding over him roughshod, a happy
victor. She made promises that Yetive
herself could not have made; she offer
ID inducements that never could be
carried cut, although in her zeal she
did not know 1t to be SO; she painted
such pictures Of ease, comfort and
pleasure that he wondered why royal
| ty did not exchange places with Its
i 9eryantS In the end ovnrcomn hv tho