Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-09

one at her side, and the voice was the
one she least expected to hear utter
the words. The speaker was the man
who deserved the place beside Yetive.
Prince Dantan himself.
Bewildered, her heart palpitating
with various emotions, she took his
arm and allowed herself to be drawn
wondcringly through the massive
doors. As they entered, followed by
the brilliant company, the superb or
chestra that Beverly had SO often en-
ioycd began to play the stirring
Hands Across the Sea-" The musi-
clans themselves seemed to have
caught the universal feeling Of Joy and
mlrth that was in the air and played
as IL inspired. their leader bowling low
to the young American girl us she
passed. 1t was his affectionate tribute
to her. Prince Dantan, to her amaze
ment, led her up the entire length Of
the banquet hall to the head Of the
royal table, gorgeous with the plate Of
a hundred Graustark rulers, placing
her on his left and next to the slightly
raised royal chairs. Candace was on
his right. the picture of happiness.
Beverly felt dizzy. weak. She looked
helplessly at Prince Dantan. His smile
was puzzling. As if in n daze she saw
Grcnfall I.orry with the Countess
Yvonne standing exactly opposite to
her, he, with the others, awaiting the
! appearance Of the princess and the one
who was to sit beside her.
The music ceased, there was a hush
over the room, and then Yetive came
forward, magnificent in her royal
robes, smiling and happy. A tall man
in the uniform of an exalted army Off.
Ger stood beside her, gold braid and be.
jeweied thing. across his breast. Bev.
crly turned deathly white, her figure
stiffened and then relaxed.
1t was Baldos!
She never knew how she dropped in.
to the chair the servant held for her.
She only knew that his dark eyes were
smiling at her with love and mischief
in their depths. There was a e
uncertain sound of chattering: some
II was talking eagerly to her, but she
heard him not. There was q standing
toast to the Prince Of D~awsbergen.
Then the audacious ghost Of Baldos
was proposing a ringing response to
tho Princess Yetlve; the orchestra was
playing the Graustark and Dawsbergen
national hymns. But 1t was all as a
dream to her. At last she heard Can.
dace calling to her, her face wreathed
In cr1iloc Conrnc re o,,o .oar,.I - -
looking ut her, and all of them were
full of amusement.
Now, say that a girl can't keep q
secret came to her ears from the radi
ant sister of Dantan. Ravone, at hel
side, spoke to her, and she turned tc
him dizzily.
you first knew me as Ravone. Miss
Calhoun" he vas saying genially
Then it became necessary, by roya
command, for me to be Prince Dantan
May I have the honor of introducing
myself In the proper personf l an
Christobal Of Rapp-Thorburg. and
shall be no other than he hereafter
The friendship that binds me to Primo,
Dantan. at last in his proper place be
side the Princess Of Graustark. Is to b.
strengthened into a dearer Relationship
before many days have passed."
1.-THE Princess Candace ceases to BIZ
his sister" volunteered the Duke OIL
Mizrox. "She is and long has peer hi!
anianced wife"
Enchanted and confused ovor all tina
had occurred in the last few moments
Beverly murmured her heartfelt con
CALCULATIONS to the joyous couple. Thu
orchestra had again ceased playing
All eyes turned to Baldos-the rea
Prince D~antan-who, glass in hand
rose to his feet.
"Your royal highness, ladies anC
gentlemen, Graustark and Dawsber
gen are entering a new era. l pledg
you my honor that never again shall
the slightest misunderstanding exis
between them. They shall go forth t
their glorious destiny as M people
Your gracious ruler has seen fit to be
stow her hand and affections upon a.
American gentleman, your esteemed
prince consort. We all know how 10y
ally the people have approved he
choice. There is II present. a trustee
. friend of your beautiful princess ant
! lovingly called in your hearts Beverl,
I of Graustark. Whose example nor
worthy for me to follow than that o
, the Princess Yetivei With whom coul
l better share my throne and pleas
you more than with your beloved Amer
q can protege? l ask you to drink a toas
r to my betrothed, Beverly Calhoun. tn
future Princess Of Dawsbergcn."
Z Every glass was raised and the toas
drunk amid ringing cheers. The mil
tary band crashed out the air SO dea
to all Americans. especially to south
ern hearts, Beverly was too overcom
to speak.
You ALL she exclaimed.
There was n tremendous commotio
. In the gallery. People were standin
In their seats half frightened an
amused, their attention attracted b
the unusual scene. A portly negres
totally unconscious Of the sensatio
she vas causing, her feet keeping tim
" to the lively strains Of music. wa
frantically waving "A red and yello'
= bandanna handkerchief. 1t was Aul
Fanny, and in a voice that could |
heard all over the banquet hall 81
shouted: Good Lawd. honey, eff d.
amt playin' Away Down South !
Dixie. lIooray! Hooray"