Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-06-21

laugh The next instant she
was placed soundly upon her feet. A
binding fash of lightning revealed Bal
dos, the goat hunter, at her side, while
n dozen shadowy figures were scram.
bling to their feet in all corners Of tho
Hawk and Raven. Some ono WINS
lclutching her by the dress at tho knees,
She did not have to look down to know
that 1t was Aunt Fanny.
! Goodness" gasped Beverly, and
then it was pitch dark again The man
vt her side called out II command IN his
own language and then turned his fnce
close to hers.
DO not be alarmed. We nre quito
pafe now. The royal bedchninbcr lna
come to grief, however, | nm sorry to
say. What fool was not to have
foreseen all this, The storm has been
brewing since midnight" he was say.
ing to her
isn't it awful?' cried Beverly be-
tween a moan and shrek.
"They are trlfes after one gets used
TO them he said. Il have come to be
quite at home in the tempest. There
are other things much more annoying,
] assure your hlghness. We shall have
lights In n moment" Even as he spoke
two or three lanterns began to flicker
feebly.
BE quiet, Aunt Fanny, you are not
killed at ALL" commanded Beverly
quite firmly.
DE house is suah to blow down,
Miss-yo' highness." groaned the trusty
maidservant. Beverly laughed bravely
but nervously with the tall CONT hunter
lie at once set about making his guest
comfortable and secure from the eff
fects of the tempest. which was now ut
Its height. Her couch of cushions was
dragged far back into the cavern and
the rescued blankets, though drenched,
Ggain became screen.
do you imagine that I'm going in
there while this storm ragesf" Beverly
demanded as the work progressed.
Are YOU not afraid of lightning?
Most young women are"
That's the trouble. am afraid Of
It. I'd much rather stay out here where
there is company. You don't mind, do
your
paradise cannot be spurned by one
who now feels It's warmth for the first
time" he said CALAMITY. Your fear Is
my delight Pray sit upon our throne.
1t was once Il humble carriage pail Of
leather, but now 1t Is exalted. Besides,
IT Is much more comfortable than some
Of the gilded chairs we hear about"
you are given to irony, | fear" she
said, observing Il peculiar smile on his
lips.
Il crave pardon, your hghness." he
said humbly. The heart of the goat
hunter Is more gentle than his wit
shall not again forget that you are Il
princess and the veriest beggar.'
Il didn't mean to hurt you.' she
cried in CONSERVATION, for she was II
very poor example of what q princess
IS supposed to be.
There is no wound, your hghness, -
he quickly said, With a knocking grace
that almost angered her he dropped to
his knee and motioned for her to be
seated. She sat down suddenly, clap
ping her hands to her ears and shut
ting her eyes tightly. The crash of
thunder that came at that instant was
the most fearful Of all, and it was u
full minute before she dared to lift her
lids again. He was standing before
her. and there was genuine compa Ssior
IN his face. ITS terrible" he said
Never before have | seen such q
storm. Have courage, your highness
1t can last but little longer"
Goodness said the real American
girl, for want Of something more ex
pressive.
Your servant has crept into your
couch. l fear. Shall | sit here at your
feet? Perhaps you may feel small
sense of security If r.
Indeed, | want you to sit there. >
she cried. He forthwith threw him
self upon the floor of the cave, {
graceful respectful guardian. Minute,
went by without word from either
The noise of the storm made 1t i'm
possible TO speak and be heard. Sea
tered about the cavern were his out
stretched followers, doubtless asleel
once more in all this turmoil. witt
tho first lull In tho war of tho olo
msnts Beverly gave utterunce to III,
thought that long had been strugglln,
for release.
"Why do you wear that horrld blacl
patch over your eyei" she asked,
triflo tlmidly. He muttcred shnr]
exclamation md clapped his hand 4
his eye For the first time since tn
beginning OF their strange ncqualnt
Anceship Beverly observed downright
confusion IN this debonuir knight 0
the wilds.
1T has-has slipped Off" he STAN
mered, with guilty grin. His merr
1nsolence was gone, his composur
with It. Beverly laughed with keel
enjoyment over the discontinue of tn
shame faced vagabond,
"You can't fool mel" she exclaimed
shaking her finger at him In the mos
unconventional way. 1T was intend
Cd to be disguise, There Is absc
lutely nothing the matter with you
aye"
He was speechless for moment n
covering himself. Wisdom Ia concei,
I'd In silence, and he knew this. Vags
bond or gentleman. he was a cleye
actor.
1.-The eye Is weak, your highness, an
cover II In the daytime to protect
from the sunlight" he said coOlly.