Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-08-03
CHAPTER XXI.

|
afternoon. Their attendants
- and servants carried luggage
bearing the princely crest Of DAVIS
bergen and meant for Prince Dantan
and his sister Candace. In the part Of
the castle set apart for the visitors IN
important consultation was held be-
hind closed doors. There Dantan met
Ills countrymen and permitted them to
renew the pledge of fealty that had
been shattered by the overpowering
influence of his mad half brother.
What took place at this secret meet
ing the outside world never knew.
Only the happy result was made
known. Prince Dantan was to resume
bis reign over Dawsbergen as II 1t !
never had been Interrupted
The castle, brilliant from bottom to
top, allied with music and laughter.
experienced a riot of happiness such
as it had not known In years. The
war clouds had lifted, the sunshine of
contentment was breaking through the
darkness, and there was rejoicing in
the hearts Of ALL Bright and glorious
were the colors that made up the hars
mony of peace. Men and women of
high degree came to the historic old
wallis garbed in the. riches Of royalty
and nobility To Beverly Calhoun 1t
was the most enchanting sight she had
ever looked upon. From the galleries
she gazed down into the halls glitter
ling with the wealth of Graustark and
was conscious Of strange feeling of.
glorification. She felt that she had a
part In this jubilee. With Candace she
descended the grand staircase and
mingled with the respondent crowd.
/ She was the center Of attraction.
Dressed in, a simple, close fitting gown
Of black velvet, without nm ornament,
her white arms and shoulders cleaning
in the soft light from the chandeliers,
she was an enticing creature to be i'd
mired by men and women alike. Two
stalwart Americans felt their hearts
bound with pride as they saw the con-
quest their countrywoman; was maxi
ing. Candace, her constant companion
In these days, was consumed with de
Light:
you are the prettiest thing in all
j this world" she ecstatically whispered
into Beverly's ear. My brother says
so, too,' she added conclusively. Bev
erly was too true q woman not to revel
in this subtle flattery.
The great banquet hall was to be-
thrown open at midnight. There were
dancing and song during the hours
leading up to this important event.
Beverly was entranced. She had seen
brilliant affairs at home, but none Of
| them compared ia, this in regal SPLEEN
DOR. It was the sensuous, overpower-
ing splendor Of the east.
Prince Dantan Joined the throng just
before midnight. He made his way d.
rect to the little circle Of which Bey-.
erly and Candace formed the center.
His rich, full military costume gave
him new distinction that quite over
came Beverly. They fell into an ami
mated conversation. exchanging shafts
Of wit that greatly amused those who
could understand the Language.
You must remember Beverly said
in reply to one Of Ravone's sallies,
that Americans are not In the least
awed by Europe's greatness. 1t has
come to the pass when we call Europe
our playground. We now go to Eu-
rope as we go to the circus or the
county fair at home. 1t isn't much
| more trouble. you know. and we must
see the sights s.
Alas, poor Europel" he laughed. As
he strolled about with her and Can
i dace he pointed out certain men to her,
asking her to tax her memory In the
effort to recall their faces II not their
apparel. She readily recognized in the
lean, tired faces the men she had met
first at the Inn Of the Hawk and RAJ
yen. q
'eThey were vagabonds then, Miss
| Calhoun. Now they are noblemen.
Does the transition startle you7'
isn't Baldos among them7" she ask
cd, votcing the query that had been
\ uppermost In her mind since the mo-
ment when she looked down from the
galleries and failed to see him. She
was wondering how he would appear
In court costume.
"You forget that Baldos Is only a
guard" he said kindly.
HE Is a courtier nevertheless" she
rstorted.
She was vaguely disappointed be-
cause he was missing from the scene
Of splendor. It proved to her that
caste oyercame all else in the rock
ribbed east The common man, no
matter how valiant, had no place In
lisuch affairs as these. Her pride was
suffering. She was as queen among
the noblest of the realm. Az the wife
OF Baldos she would live In another
world ION the outskirts Of this one OF
splendor and arrogance. A stubborn
defiant little frown appeared on her
brow as she pictured herself In her
minds eye standing afar of with .'the
man" Baldos, looking at the opulence
she could not reach. Her impetuous
rebellious little heart was humping
bitterly as she considered this single
phase of the life to come. She was
ready to cry out against the injustice
Of It all The little frown was por
tentous Of deep laid designs. She
would break down this cruel barrier
that kept Baldos from the fields ovel
which prejudice alone held sway. Hel
love for him and her determination t.
be his wife were not In the least dulle6
by these reflections.
The doors to the. great banquet hal
were thrown open at last, and In the
| disorder fb0f followed she wondered