The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-11-07

mary conducted by two ladies' frem
Boston who were too old to marry, TOO
penurious to love and too prim to t. TX
that other women might care tc Go
both. There were times. however-lf
she were excited or enthusiastic-when
pretty Beverly so far forgot her train
ing as to break forth with a very at
tractive 3yo' all" "suah 'nough" or ego
long naow." And when the bands
played Dixie" she was not afraid to
stand up and wave her handkerchief.
The northerner who happened to be
with her on such occasions usually
found himself doing likewise before he
could escape the infection.
Miss Calhoun's face was one that
painters coveted deep down in their
artistic souls. 1t never knew dull in
slant: there was expression in every
lineament, in every look; life, genuine
life. dwelt in the mobile countenance
that turned the head Of every man and
woman who looked upon it. Her hair
was dark brown and abundant; her
eyes were a deep gray and looked
eagerly from between, long lashes of
black; her lips were red and ever
willing to smile or turn plaintive as CO,
easion required: her brow was broad
and fair, and her frown was as danger
GUS as smile.
AS to her age, if the major admittea,
somewhat indiscreetly, that all his chill.
dren were old enough to vote, he,'
mother, with the reluctance born in
women, confessed that she was past
twenty, so a year or two either way
will determine Miss Yeverly's age SO
far as the telling of this story is con-
cerned. Her eldest brother, Keith Cal
LoUn (the one with the congressional
heritage), thought she was too young
to marry, while her second brother,
Dan, held that she soon would be too
old to attract men with matrimonial
intentions. Lucy, the only sister, hav-
ing been happily welded for ten years,
advised her not to think Of marriage
until she was old enough to know her
own mind.
Toward the close Of one Of the most
brilliant seasons the capital had ever
known, less than fortnight before
congress was to adjourn, the wife Of
Grenfall Lorry received the news
which spread gloomy disappointment
over the entire social realm. A dozen
receptions, teas and balls were des-
tined to lose their richest attraction,
and hostesses were in despair The
princess had been called to Graustark.
Beverly Calhoun was miserably un-
happy. She had heard the story Of Ga
briefs escape and the consequent prob
ability of conflict with Axphain. It
did not require a great stretch Of mag
ination to convince her that the Lorrys
were hurrying off to scenes Of intrigue,
strife and bloodshed, and that not only.
Graustark, but it's princess, was in
jeopardy.
Miss Calhoun's most cherished hopes
faded with the announcement that
trouble, not pleasure, called Yetive to
Edelweiss. 1T had been their plan that
Beverly should spend the delightful
summer months in Graustark, guest
at the royal palace. The original ar
rangements Of the Lorrys were hope
lessly disturbed by the late news from
Count Halfont. They were obliged to
leave Washington two months earlier
than they intended, and they could not
take Beverly Calhoun into danger rid
den Graustark. The contemplated visit
to st. Petersburg and other pleasures
had to be abandoned, and they were in
tears.
Yetives maids were packing the
trunks, and Lorry's servants were in
a wild state of haste preparing for the
departure on Saturdays ship. On Fri
day afternoon Beverly was naturally
where she could do the most good and
be Of the least help-at the Lorrys'.
Self confessedly she delayed the
preparations. Respectful maidservants
dOO lCSpcCIl VI uuduSCl NdutS CdIuS vi
ten to the princess boudoir to ask
questions, and Beverly just as fire.
quently made fearful resolutions to
leave the household in peace-if such
q hullabaloo could be called peace.
Callers came by the dozen, but Yetive
would see no one. Letters, kilograms
and telephone calls almost swamped
her secretary; the footman and the
butler fairly gasped under the strain
Of excitement. Through it all the two
friends sat despondent and alone in
the drear room that once had been the
abode of pure delight. Grenfall Lorry
was off in town closing up all matters
Of business that could be dispatched at
once. The princess and her industri-
Gus retinCe were to take the evening
express for New York, and the next
day would find them at sea.
II know I shall cry all sumner"
vowed Miss Calhoun, with conviction
In her eyes, Its just too awful for
anything" She was lying back among
the cushions Of the divan, and her hat