Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-06-19
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was speechless.

"Ravone's warning has not shaken
your faith in met"
at has strengthened 1t. Nothing
could alter the facts in the case. l
have not, since we left Ganlook, been
in doubt as to the identity of my bene-
factress."
ut seems to me that you are beat
ing around the bush. I'll come straight
to the point. How long have you
known that I am not the Princess of
Graustark?'
"WhatP' he exclaimed. drawing back
In well assumed horror. do you mean
ARE you testing? I beg of you, do
not jest. 1t is very serious with me-"
His alarm was SO genuine that she was
completely deceived.
II am not jesting," she half whis-
pered, turning very cold. "Have you
thought all along that am the prin-
cess; that am Grenfall Lorry's wife?'
you told me that you We're the prin-
cess"
''But I've never said that was-was
any ones wife"
There was piteous appeal in her
voice, and he was not slow to notice II
and rejoice. Then his heart smote him.
"But what ia to become of me II you
are not the princess7' he asked after
long pause. II can no longer serve
you. This is my last day in the castle
guard"
"You are to go on serving mel mean
you are to retain your place in the serv-
Ice" she fastened to say. II shall
keep my promise to you" How small
and humble she was beginning to feel
1t did not seem so entertaining after
all, this pretty deception Of hers. Down
In his heart, underneath the gallant e1.
terror, what was his opinion Of herr
Something was singing her eyes fierce.
", and she closed them to keep back
the tears Of modification,
Miss Calhoun" he said, his manner
changing swiftly, II have felt from the
first that you are not the Princess of
Graustark. knew 1t an hour after /
entered Edelweiss. Franz gave me a
note at Ganlook, but did not read it
until was member Of the guard"
you have known it so long?" she
cried joyously. "And you have trusted
me? You have not hated me for de-
ceiving you?"
81 have never ceased to regard you
as my sovereign" he said softly.
But just moment ago you spoke of
me as a frisky American GIRL" she said
resentfully.
II have used that term but once,
while have said your highness' q
thousand times. Knowing that you
We're Miss Calhoun, / could not have
meant ether
II fancy I have no right to criticise
YOU" she humbly admitted. after all,
1t does not surprise me that you were
not deceived. Only an imbecile could
have been fooled all these weeks. Ev-
cry one said that you were no fool. 1t
seems ridiculous that 1t should have
gone to this length, doesn't it?"
mot at all, your highness. I am
not
"You have the habit, see." she
smiled.
II have several months yet to serve
as member Of the guard. Besides,
am under orders to regard you as the
princess. General Marlanx has given
me severe instructions in that respect
"You are willing to play the game te
the end7 she demanded, more graft
fed than she should have been.
"Assuredly, yes. 1t is the only safe
guard I have. To alter my belief pub
licly would expose me to-to"-
ITO what, Baldos?"
ITO ridicule, for one thing, and to The
generous mercies Of Count Marlanx
Besides, 1t would deprive me of tn,
privilege mentioned a moment ago
the right to kiss your hand, to be you
slave and to do homage to the only
sovereign can recognize. Surely, YOU
will not subject me to exile from tn,
only joys that life holds for me. 70,
have sought to deceive me- and hav,
tried to deceive you. Each has found
the other out, SO we are quits. May w,
not now combine forces in the very
| laudable effort to deceive the world
II the world doesn't know that W,
know, why. the comedy may be lont
| drawn out and the climax be made til,
more amusing"
"Tm afraid there was a touch O
your old time sarcasm in that remark,
she said. Eyes, am willing to con
tinue the comedy. 1t seems the safes
way to protect you-especially iron
General Marlanx. No one must eve
know, Baldos; it would be absolutel,
pitiful. am glad, oh, SO glad, tina
you have known all the time It re
lieves my mind and my conscience tire
mendously."
Eyes" he said gently 81 have know
all along that you were not Mr. Lorry'
wife" He had OWNED her thought
and she flushed holly. You are still
princess. however. A poor goat hunte
can only look upon the rich American
4 girl as sovereign whom he must wor
shiD from far below"