Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-04-27
Beverly of
GrduStdr k
By
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHEON,
z e
Copyright. 1904. by Oodd.
Mead and Company
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES: s: s.:

= A2D AAAaASD - - E&eS|v
Edelweiss forbiilding the nearer an.
proach of armed forces. At that town.
however, he was sure she easily could
obtain an escort of Graustarkian SOL
diers.
AS tho big coach crawled UP the
mountain road and farther into the
oppressive solitudes Beverly Calhoun
drew from the difficult lieutenant CON
siderable information concerning the
state of affairs in Graustark She had
been eagerly awaiting the time when
something definite could be learned.
Before leaving st. Petersburg early in
the week she was assured that state
Of war did not exist The Princess
Yetive had been in Edelweiss for six
weeks. A formal demand was framed
soon after her return from America re-
quiring Dawsbergen to surrender the
person Of Prince Gabriel to the author
tiles of Graustark. To this demand
there was no definite response, DAVIS
bergen insolently requesting time in
which to consider the proposition.
Axphain Immediately sent an envoy
to Edelweiss to say that all friendly
relations between the two govern
ments would cease unless Graustark
took vigorous steps to recapture the
royal assassin. On one side of the
unhappy principally strong, over.
bearing princess was egglng Graustark
on to fight, while on the other side an
equally aggressive people defied Ye-
tive to come and take the fugitive If
she could The poor princess was be-
tween two ugly alternatives, and a
struggle seemed inevitable. At Balak
1t was learned that Axphain had re-
Gently sent final appeal to the gov
ernment Of Graustark, and 1t was no
secret that something like threat ac-
companied the message.
Prince Gabriel was In complete con-
troll at Serros and was disposed to
laugh at the demands of his late cap
tors. His half brother, the dethroned
Prince Dantan, was still hiding in the
Businesses Of the hills, protected by a
small company Of mobiles, and there
was no hope that he ever could regain
his crown. Gabriel's power over the
army was supreme. The general pub
lie admired Dantan, but it was helpless
In the face of circumstances.
"But why should Axphain seek to
harass Graustark at this timeY' de-
manded Beverly Calhoun in Derplex-
ity and wrath. II should think the
brutes would try to help her."
There is an element OF opposition
TO the course the government is TAX
Ing" the officer informed her in his
own way, "but it is greatly in the mi
nority. The Axphainians have hated
Graustark since the last war, and the
princess despises this American. 1t is
an open fact that the Duke oil Mizrox
leads the opposition to Princess volga,
and she is sure to have him beheaded
If the chance affords. He is friendly
to Graustark and has been against the
policy Of his princess from the start"
"I'd like to hug the Duke of Mizrox,"
cried Beverly warmly. The officer did
not understand her, but Aunt Fanny
was scandalized.
Good Lawd" she muttered to the
boxes and bags
As the coach rolled deeper and deep
or into the rock Swallowed wilderness
Beverly Calhoun felt an undeniable
sensation Of awe creeping over her.
The brave, impetuous girl had plunged
gayly into the project which now led
her into the deadliest of uncertainties
with but little thought Of the conse-
Quences.
The first stage of the journey by
coach had been good fun. They had
passed along pleasant roads, through
quaint villages and among interesting
people, and progress had been rapid.
The second stage had presented rather
terrifying prospects, and the third day
promised even greater vicissitudes.
Looking from the coach windows out
upon the quiet, desolate grandeur Of
her surroundings, poor Beverly began
to appreciate how abjectly helpless and
alone she was. Her companions were
ugly, vicious looking men, any one Of
whom could inspire terror by look.
She had intrusted herself to the care
Of these strange creatures in the mo-
ment Of inspired courage, and now she
was constrained to regret her action.
True, they had proved worthy pro-
tectors as far as they had gone, but
the very possibilities that lay in their
power were appalling, now that she
had time to consider the situation.
The officer in charge had been rec
commended as trusted servant of the
car; an American consul had secured
the escort for her direct from the from
tier patrol authorities. Men high in
power had vouched for the integrity
Of the detachment, but all this was for
gotten In the mighty solitude of the
mountains. She was beginning to fear
her escort more than she feared the
brigands Of the hills
Treachery seemed printed on their
backs as they rode ahead of her. The
big officer was ever polite and alert
but she was ready to distrust him on
the slightest excuse. These men could
not help knowing that she was rich
and 1t was reasonable for them to sus,
pect that she carried money and jewels
with her. In her minds eye she could
picture these traitors rifling her bags
and boxes in some dark pass, and then
there were other horrors that almost
petriled her when she allowed herself
to think of them.
Here and there the travellers passed
by rude cots where dwelt woodmen and
| mountaineers and at long intarvaIs n