Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-07-31
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCREON,
Author Of "Graustark"
~
csesisat. 1904. y DIV.
Mad ~ csspay
!; 2 i ii;;;si; I::;;

II nave notn1ng that l can give to him,
he says. Paul Baldos asks only that
he may be my champion until these ne
gotiations are ended. Then he desires
to be free to serve whom he will. All
that can do Is to let him have his
way. He is a free lance. and he asks
no favors, no help"
well, think he's perfectly ridicu-
lous about 1t, don't you? And yet that
Is the very thing like in him. am
only wondering how vel mean, how
he is going to live, that's ALL"
IF am correctly informed he still
has several months to serve in the
service for which he enlisted. You
alone, I believe have the power to dis
charge him before his term expires"
said he neaningly.
That night Baldos returned to Edel-
weiss, ahead of the Graustark delega-
ton which was coming the next day
with representatives from Dawsber-
gen. He brought the most glorious
news from the frontier. The Duke of
Matt and the leading dignitaries had
heard Of Gabriels capture, both through
the Bappo boys and through few of
his henchmen who had staggered into
| camp after the disaster. The news
threw the Dawsbergen diplomats into
a deplorable state Of uncertainty. Even
the men high in authority, while not
especially depressed over the fall of
their sovereign, were In doubt as to
what would be the next move In their
series of tragedies. Almost to a man
they regretted the folly which had
drawn them into the netswith Gabriel
Baldos reported that the Duke of Matz
and dozen Of the most distinguished
men in Dawsbergen were ON their way
to Edelweiss to complete arrangements
for peace and to lay their remuneration
of Gabriel before Dantan in neutral
court
The people OF Dawsbergen had been
clamoring long for Dantans restora-
ton, and Baldos was commissioned to
say that his return would be the signal
for great rejoicing. He was closeted
until after midnight with Dantan and
| his sister. Lorry and Princess Yetive
being called in at the end to hear and
approve Of the manifesto prepared by
the Prince Of Dawsbergen. The next
morning the word went forth that q
great banquet was to be given in the
castle that night for Prince Dantan
and the approaching noblemen. The
prince expected to depart almost Inn
mediately thereafter to resume the
throne in Serros.
Baldos was wandering through the
park early in the morning. His duties
rested lightly upon his shoulders, bu
, he was restless and dissatisfied. TIL,
longing in his heart urged him to turf
, bis eyes ever and anon toward the bal
cony and then to the obstinate looking
castle doors. The uniform of Grau
{ stark guard still graced his splendid
figure. At last graceful form wa!
seen coming from the castle toward
, the cedars. She walked bravely, blu
aimlessly. That was plain to be seen
II It was evident that she was and wa
not looking for some one. Baldos oh
E served with thrill Of delight that
! certain red feather stood up defantl,
! from the band of her sailor hat. H
e liked the way her dark blue walkin,
9 skirt swished In harmony with he
1.-THE, firm strides.
$ She was quite near before he advanc
ed from his place among the trees II
: did not expect her to exhibit surpris
. or confusion, and he was not disar
! pointed. She was as cool as bris
: spring morning. He did not offer hi
hand, but, with a fine smile of col
: tentment, bowed low and with moe
/ servility.
II report for duty, your highness,
II he said. She caught the ring Of gla6
: ness in his voice.
I. Then command you to shake hand
e with me-" she said brightly. "You hav
d been away, I believer" with deliciou
i. infection.
Eyes, for century or more, II
J, sure" Constraint fell upon them SUI
e denly. The hour had come for a del
$ mite understanding, and both were col
It quered by its Importance. For the fir.
d time in his life he knew the meanin
of difi1dence. 1t came over him as |
!" looked helplessly into the clear, gra,
!. earnest eyes. II love you for wearir
= that red feather" he said simply
t "And loved you for wearing it
she answered, her voice soft and thri
n Ing. He caught his breath joyously.
r Beverly" as he bent over her "yc
e are my very life, N.Y.
lie ''Don't. Paulv she whispered. dra,
u Ing away, with an embarrassed CLAN
about the park. There were people
y" be seen on all Sides but lie had forge
% ten them. He thought only of the 81
who ruled his heart. Seeing the pm
,e In his face, she hastily, even blushin
Il ~, said. st Is so public. DEAR
q. He Strengthened himself with so!lit
ly precision, but his voice tre,naled
nj he tried to speak calmly In defiance
" his eyes. "There is the grotto-see.
~ is seclusion itself. viii You come wi
II me? Imust tell you all that is in II
re heart. 1t viii burst If do not
IL Slowly they made their Way to t
n fairy grotto deep in the thicket
81 trees. 1t was Yetive's favorite drea,
IN ing place. Dark and cool and music
NJ with the ripping of waters. 1t was
Of ideal retreat. She dropped upon
IN rustic bench that stood against t
If moss covered wall of powders. w
m the gentle reserve of man who
,r- veres as well as loves. Baldos sto
above her. He waited, and she und
% stood How unlike most impatie
no lovers he was!
ttVnu NOV ctt hoctdo mo Che 90