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

49, 49, aho
called to the departing ones Ravone
and one other reluctantly approached.
without n word she opened n small
ira vcling bag and drew forth a heavy
purse. This she pressed into the hand
Of the student. 1t was filed with
Graustark gavvos, for which she had
exchanged American gold in Russia.
God he with you.' she fervently
cried. lie kissed her hand. and the
two stood aside TO let the coach roll
on into the dusky shadows that sep
aratcd them from the gates Of Gan
look. old Fran still driving, the only
one of the company left to serve his
leader to the very end.
"Wcll we have left them,' muttered
Baldos as though to himself. ~ may
never see them again-never see them
again. And how true they have BEEN
81 shall send for them the moment
I get to Ganlook. and I'll promise par
dons for them all.' she cried rashly in
her compassion.
NO" he exclaimed fiercely; you are
not TO disturb them. Better that they
should starvc.'
Beverly was sufficiently subdued. As
they drew nearer tho city gates her
heart began to fail her. This mans
lifo was In her weak, Incapable hands,
and tho time was nearing when slie
must stand between him and disaster.
"Whcro arc these vaunted soldiers Of
yoursG" no suddenly asked. Infinite
irony In his voice.
MY soldiers" she said family.
"Isn't II rather unusual that in time
OF trouble and uncertainty we should
be able TO approach within q mile Of
one of your most important cities with
ont even so much as seeing a soldier
Of GraustarkF'
She felt that he was scofiing, but It
mattercd little to her.
at Is a bit odd, isn't IT." she agreed.
Worse than that, your %highness."
Il shall speak to Dangloss about IT.
che said %sercnely, and he looked up in
new surprise. Truly she was an ex-
t%raordinary princess.
Fully thrce-quarters of an hour pass
ed before the coach was checked. Bev-
erly, looking from the windows, had
seen the lighted windows of cottages
growing closer and closer together.
The barking of roadside dogs was the
only sound that could be heard above
the rattle of the wheels. 1t was too
dark inside tn" coach to see the face
of the man beside her, but something
told her that he was staring ~intently
into tho night, alert and anxious. The
responsibility of her position swooped
down upon her like an avalanche as
she thought Of what the next few min
utcs were to bring forth. 1t was the
sudden stopping of the coach and the
sharp commands from the outside that
told her probation was at an end. She
could no longer speculate; it was high
time TO act.
The outpost" came from Baldos, In
strained tones.
Perhaps they won't know us--you, !
mean," she whispered.
Baron Dangloss knows everybody
he replied bitterly.
What Il horrid old busybody he
she started to say, but thought better
of il.
\. couple Of lanterns flashed at the
window, almost binding her. Aunt
Fanny groaned audibly. but the figure
Of Baldos seemed to stiffen with de
iance. Uniformed men peered into the
INTERIOR with more rudeness and curl
osity than seemed respectful to a prin.
cess, to say he least. They saw a pref
ty, pleading face, with wide gray eyes
and parted lips, but they did not bow
in humble submission. as Raldos had
expected. One of the men. evidently il
command. addressed Beverly in rough
but polite tones. 1t was II question
that he asked. she knew, but she could
not answer him. for she could not un
dorstand him.
What do you wantf' she put ir
English, with a crcditable display OF
dignity.
lie does not speak English, your
h~ighncSs,' volunteered Baldos, in 6
voice so we'll discussed that it startled
her. The officer was staring blankly a.
her.
Every officer in my army SHOULD
and must learn to speak English she
said, at her wits end. Il decline tc
be questioned by the fellow. VIII you
talk to him in my stcad!'
81, your h~ighncss:' he cried in dis
may.
Yes. Tell him who we are and ash
where the hospital is" she murmured
sinking back with the air of a queen
but with the inward feeling that al
was lost.
"But l don't speak your language
WELL" he protested.
You speak it beautifully" she said
Baldos leaned forward painfully ant
spoke TO the officer IN the Graustarl
tongue.
Don't you know your princess;' HI
demanded II trifle harshly. The man!
eyes flew wide open in an instant an(
his jaw dropped.
'The-the princess?' he gasped.
Don't stare like that, sir. Direct u!
to the main gate at once, or you viii
have cause to regret Your slownesS."
But the princess was-is coming b.!
the northern>pass," mumbled the man
The guard has gone out to meet he
and Baldos cut him off shortly will
the information that the princess, a
he could see, had come by the lowe
pass and that she was eager to reacl