Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-06-21

these days too. Turning over in his
mind all of the details in connection
with their meeting and their subse
quent intercourse, it began to dawn
upon him that she might not be what
she assumed to be. Doubts assailed
him, suspicious grew into amazing
forms of certainty. There were times
when he laughed sardonically at him.
self for being taken in by this strange
but charming young woman, but
through it all his heart and mind were
being drawn more and more fervently
toward her. More than once he called
himself a fool and more than once he
dreamed foolish dreams of her, prin-
cess or not OF one thing he was sure
he had come to love the adventure
for the sake of what it promised, and
there was 10 bitterness beneath his
suspicious
Arrayed in clean linen and presenta-
BILE clothes. pale. from indoor confine-
ment and fever, but once more the
straight and strong cavalier Of the
hills, he FASTENED into her presence
when the summons came for him to
descend. He dropped to his knee and
kissed her hand, determined to play
the game Notwithstanding his doubts.
AS he arose she glanced for fitting
second into his dark eyes, and her own
long lashes dropped.
.ssYour highness!' he said gratefully.
GLOW well and strong you look!'' she
n of q
gone, but you look as though you hac
never been i'll. Are you quite recov-
ered?"
''They say 1 am as good as new" he
smilingly answered. "a trife weak
and uncertain in my lower extremities,
but few days of exercise in the noun
tains will overcome ali that. Is all well
with you and Graustark? They will
give me no news here, by whose order
do not know"
Turn about is fair play, sir. 1t is
well established fact that you will give
them no news. Yes, all is well with
me and mine. Were you beginning to
think that I had deserted you? 1t has
been two weeks, hasn't itY'
"Ah, your highness, realize that you
have had much more important things
to do than to think of poor Baldos. /
am exceedingly grateful for this sign
of interest in my welfare Your visit is
the brightest experience Of my life"
"Be seatedr she cried suddenly.
ssYou are too i'll to stand"
ssWere I dying 1 should refuse to be
seated while your highness stands" -
said he simply. His shoulders seemed
to square themselves involuntarily, and
his left hand twitched as though ac-
customed to the habit of touching a
sword hilt Beverly sat down instant
ly. With his usual easy grace he took
a chair near by. They were alone in
the antechamber.
Gwen though you were on your last
legs?" she murmured, and then wonder
ed how she could have uttered any
thing so inane. Somehow she was be-
ginning to fear that he was not the or
binary person she had judged him to
be. ''You are to be discharged from
the hospital tomorrow" she added
hastily.
Tomorrow ?" he cried, his eyes light
ing with joy. 81 may go then?v
II have decided to take you to Edel-
weiss with me- she said, very much as
If that were all there was to it. He
stared at her for full minute as
though doubling his ears.
'sNov' he said at last his jaws set
ting, his eyes glistening. It was a
terrible setback for Beverly's conf
dence. Your highness forgets that I
have your promise of absolute free
DOM
tBut you are to be Free" she protest
ed. you have nothing to fear. 1t is
not compulsory, you know. You don't
have to go unless you really want to.
But my heart is set on having you in
in the castle guard" His bitter, mock
ing laugh surprised and wounded her,
which he was quick to see, for his
contrition was immediate.
Pardon, your highness. am
rude, ungrateful wretch, and I deserve
punishment instead of reward. The
proposal was SO astounding that ! for
got myself completely" he said.
Whereupon, catching him in this con-
trite mood, she began a determined as
sault against his resolution. For an
hour she devoted her whole heart and
soul to the task of overcoming his
prejudices, fears and objections, meet
ing his protestations firmly and logic
ally, unconscious of the fact that her
very enthusiasm was betraying her to
him. The first signs Of weakening in
spired her afresh and at last she was
riding over him roughshod, a happy
victor. She made promises that Yetive
herself could not have made; she offer
ed inducements that never could be
carried ont, although in her zeal she
did not know it to be so; she painted
such pictures Of ease, comfort and
pleasure that he wondered why royal
~ did not exchange places with its