The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-09-21
By
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHE0N.
Author Of 'GraustArk .
Copyright 1904. By bod.
Mead and ComDsny

/
| human. Now he is like clam. Yetive
! viii think am such fool If he doesn't
live up to the reputation I've given
! him.
Here are the gates" he said, half to
himself. what is there in store for
/ me beyond those walls2''
''Oh, wish you wouldn't be so dis
malY' she cried In despair. ut seems
/ Just like funeral"
"A thousand apologies, your high
ness" he murmured with sudden
lightness OF speech and manner.
| "Henceforth j shall be most amiable
Jester to please you"
Beverly and the faithful Aunt Fanny
! were driven to the castle, where the
former bade farewell to her new knight
until the following mnrnin0- whnn he
was TO appear perore her for personal
instructions. Colonel Quinnox escorted
him to the barracks of the guard, where
he was to share room with young
Haddan, corporal in the service.
''The wild. untamed gentleman from
the hills came without a word, l see, !"
said Lorry, who had watched the APP
proach. He and Yetive stood in the
window overlooking the grounds from
the princess boudoir. Beverly had just
entered and thrown herself upon
divan.
Eyes; he's here" she said shortly.
How long do you; with all your
cleverness, expect to hoodwink him
into the belief that you are the prin-
cess?" asked Yetive, amused, but anx-
ious.
He's a great fool for being hood
winked at ALL" said Beverly, very,
much at odds with her protege. I'm
an hour from now he will know the
truth and will be bowling like a mad
man for his freedom"
Not SO soon ss tnat, Beverly said
Lorry consolingly. THE guards and
officers have their instructions to keep
him in the dark as long as possible"
well, I'm tired and mad and hun
CRY and everything else that isn't com
patible. Let's talk about the war;"
said Beverly. the sunshine in her face
momentarily eclipsed by the dark
cloud of disappointment
Baldos was notified that duty would
be assigned to him in the morning.
He went through the formalities which
bound him to the service for six
months, listening indifferently to the
words that foretold the fate of a 1
traitor. 1t was not until his new uni
form and equipment came into his
possession that he remembered the
note resting in lbs pocket. He drew il
out and began to read it with tie
slight interest of one who has antiei- |
pated the eject. But not for long was
he to remain apathetic The first few
lines brought look of understanding
to his eyes; then he laughed the easy
laugh of one who has cast care and /
confidence to the winds. This is what 1
lie read.
She is not the princess. We have been T
duped Last night l learned the trutl /
She is Miss Calhoun, an American, going /
to be a guest at the castle. Refuse to co 4
with her into Edelweiss. 1t may be T. ) |
and may mean death. Question her bold
~ before committing yourself. {
There came the natural Impulse to
make a dash for the outside world, /
fighting his way through ii necessary.
Looking back over the ground, he won
dered how he could have been deceived I
at all by the unconventional American.
In the clear light Of retrospection lie
now saw how impossible it was for
her to have been the princess. Every
net, every word, every look, should
have told him the truth Every flaw
N her masquerading now presented it
self to him, and he was compelled to T
augh at his own simplicity. Caution,
after all, was the largest component
part of his makeup. The craftiness Of
he hunted was deeply rooted in his
being. He saw a very serious side to
he adventure. Stretching himself upon
he cot In the corner of the room, he
rave himself over to plotting, plan
hing, thinking.
In the midst of his thoughts sud-
len light burst In upon him. His eyes
cleaned with new fire, his heart
capped with new animation, his blood
an warm again. Leaping to bis feet,
le ran to the window to reread the
tote from old Franz. Then he settled
'ack and laughed with fervor that
feared the brain of a thousand vague
+,
"She is Miss Calhoun, an American,
'oing to be guest at the castle;' not ,
be princess, but Miss Calhoun. Once ,
more the memory Of the clear gray ]
yes ieaped into life. Again he saw
Ter asleep In the coach on the road
rom Ganlook. Again he recalled the |
ervent throbs his guilty heart had I
cit as he looked upon this fair crea-
ure. at one time the supposed treasure I
I another man. Now she was Miss
'alhoun, and her gray eyes, her en- {
RANGING smile, her wondrous vivacity, ]
Vere not for one man alone. It was I
marvellous what a change this sudden 1