The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-11-21
By
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHE0N,
Author of "Graustark"

z
Copyright. 1904. BY Dod4
Head and Gonpaay

aThey were Cossacks, or whatever
you call them. But, pray, why do you
call me your highness?' demanded
Beverly. The tall leader swept the
ground with his hat once more.
Gall the outside world knows the
Princess Yetive-why not the humble
mountain man? You will pardon me,
but every man in the hills knows that
you are to pass through on the way
from st. Petersburg to Ganlook- We
are not so far from the world, after
all, we rough people Of the hills. We
know that your highness left st. Pc
tersburg by rail last Sunday and took
to the highway day before yesterday
because the foods had washed away
the bridges north Of Axphain. Even
the hills have eyes and ears.
Beverly listened with increasing per-
plexity. It was true that she had left
St Petersburg on Sunday; that the un-
precede.- ed foods had stopped all rail-
way traffic in the hills, compelling her
to travel for many miles by stage, and
that the whole country was confusing
her in some strange way with the Prln-
cess Yetiye The news had evidently
sped through Axphain and the hills
with the swiftness of fire. 1t would be
useless to deny the story; these men
would not believe her. In flash she
decided that it would be best to pose
for the time being as the ruler Of
Graustark. It reclaimed only for her
to impress upon Aunt Fanny the i'm
portance of this resolution.
ssWhat wise old hills they must be-
she said, with evasive enthusiasm.
seYou cannot expect me to admit, how
ever, that I am the princess she went
on.
..It would not be just to your excel.
lent reputation for tact if you did so,
your highness," calmly spoke the man.
cit is quite as easy to say that you are
not the princess as to say that you are,
so what matters, after all? We re-
serve the right, however, to do hon-
age to the queen who rules over these
wise old hills. I offer you the humble
services of myself and my compan-
ions. We are yours to command"
IT am very grateful to find that you
are not brigands, believe me-" said
Beverly. pray te,' ne who yor are,
then. and you shall De sufficiently re-
watl;ed for youT good Intentions
'.i? On, your highness, an Baldos,
tie gost hunter, q poor subject foG re
ward 1T your hands. may as we'll ad-
nit that am a poacher and have no
legal right to the prosperity of your
hills. The only reward can ask is for
giveness for trespassing upon the prop
erty Of others"
"You shall receive pardon for all
transgressions, but you must get me to
some place Of safety" said Beverly ca
gerly.
"And quickly, too, you might well
have added" he said lightly. "The
horses have rested, I think, so with
your permission we may proceed.
know Of a place where you may spend
the night comfortably and be refreshed
for the rough journey tomorrow
Tomorrow? How can 90 on? I
am alone!w she cried despairingly.
Permit me to remind you that you
are no longer alone. You have rag
ged following, your highness, but it
shall be d loyal one. Will you re-enter
the coach? 1t is not far to the place
speak Of, and I myself will drive you
there. Come, it Is getting late, and
your retinue, at least, is hungry
He flung open the coach door. and his
hat swept the ground once more The
light of lantern played ftfully upon
his dark, gaunt face, with its gallant
smile and ominous patch. She hesitat-
ed, fear entering her soul once more.
He looked up quickly and saw the inde-
cision in her eyes, the mute appeal.
Trust me- your highness,' he said
gravely, and she allowed him to hand
her into the coach.
q nOuleul ldlel ue was oPOo eHS
drivers box, reins in hand. Calling OUT
to his companions in language
strange to Beverly, be cracked the
whip, and once more they were luna-
pering over the wretched road. Bever-
IL sank back into the seat with deep
sigh Of resignation.
"Well, Pm in for It," she thought
''1t doesn't matter whether they are
thieves or angels, 1 reckon I'll have to
take what comes He doesn't look very
much like an angel, but he looked ct
me just now as if he thought were
one. Dear me, wish I were back in
Washin'tonr