Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-12


but with wonder ~ their souls. stood
afar off and waited. Baldos and Bev.
erly were alone in their own little
world
II think liked you better when you
wore the red feather and that horrid
patch of black" she said muslngly.
And was free hearted vagabond."
he added, something imploring in his
voice.
"An independent courtier, II you
please, SIR" she said severely.
'Do you want me to go back to the
hills? l have the patch and the feather,
and my friends are
NO! Don't suggest such a thing
yet" She began the protest eagerly
and ended 1t in confusion
ALAS. you mean that some day ban
ishment is not unlikely?"
you don't expect to be a guard all
your life, do your
Not to serve the Princess Of Grau-
stark, confess. My aim Is much high
or. If sod lets me choose the crown
would serve would enlist for life. The
crown l would serve is wrought Of
love, the throne would kneel before is
a heart, the scepter would follow Is
| in the slender hand Of woman. ]
could live and die in the service Of my
own choosing, but am only the hum.
BILE goat hunter. whose hopes are phan
toms. whose ideals are conceived In i'm.
potence."
That was beautiful" murmured
Beverly, looking up, fascinated for the
moment.
"Oh, that had the courage to enlist"
he cried, bending low once more She
felt the danger in his voice, half tremu-
lous with something more than loyalty
and drew her hand away from place
of instant Jeopardy. 1t was fire that
she was playing with. she realized with
Q start of consciousness. Sweet as the
spell had grown to be she saw that it
must be shattered.
ut is getting frightfully late" she
sharply exclaimed. They'll wonder
where I've gone to. Why. it's actually
dark
1T has been dark for half an hour,
your highness," said he, drawing him
self up with sudden rigidness that dis
tessed her. Are you going to return
to the castle"
"Yes. They'll have out, a searching
party pretty soon If don't appear"
You have been good to me today"
he said thoughtfully. 81 shall try to
merit the Kindness. Let me-
"Oh, please don't talk in that humble
way. It's ridiculous. I'd rather have
you absolutely impertinent, l declare
upon my honor would. Don't you re-
member how YOU talked when you
wore the rcd feather? Well, l liked
It."
Baldos laughed easily, happily. His
heart was not very humble, though his
voice apd manner were.
Red is the color of insolence, you
mean"
ITS good deal jaunter than blue"
she declared.
Before you call the bearers. Miss
your highness. wish to retract some
thing | said awhile ago" he said very
seriously.
II should think you would" she re-
sponded, utterly misinterpreting his In
tent.
you asked me to tell you what my
message to Ravone contained and I
refused. Subsequently, the extent Of
his message to me led us into a most
thorough understanding. 1t Is only
just and right that you should know
what l said to him"
II trust you, Baldos," she protested
simply.
THAT is why tell this to you. Yes
tcrday, your highnesS the castle guard
received their months pay. You may
not know how we'll we are paid, so I
Will say that it is 10 eavvos to each.
The envelope which gave to Ravone
contained my wages for the past six
weeks. They need it far more than I
do. There was also Il short note of
good cheer to those poor comrades of
mine and the assurance that one day
our luck may change and starvation
be succeeded by plenty. And still
more, l told him that l knew you to be
Miss Calhoun and that you were my
angel of inspiration. That was all,
your highness."
THANK you, Baldos, for telling me-"
she said softly. You have made me
ashamed of myself"
"On the contrary. l. fear that have
been INDUCING in mock heroics. Truth
and egotism, like a salad, require a
certain amOunt-of dressing"
Since. YOU are Baldos and not
fairy prince ! think you may instruct
the men to carry me back, being with
out the magic tapestry which could
transplant me in Il Wifi. Goodness,
who's that?"
Within ten feet Of the sedan chair
and directly behind the tall guard stood
a small group of people. He and Bev-
erly, engrosscd In each ouleA had not
heard their approach. How long they
had been sileNt spectators of the little
scene only the intruders knew. The
startled, abashed eyes of the girl in
the chair were not long in distiugush-
ing the newcomers. A pace In front
of the others stood the gaunt shadowy
form of Count Marlanx.
Behind him We're the Princess Ye.
tive the Old prime minister and Baron
Dapgloss.
TO BE CONTINUED.