Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-12-28

responsibility OF her position swooped
Gown upon her like an avalanche as
she thorglit of what the next few min
utes were to bring forth. 1t was the
sudden stopping Of the coach and the
sharp commands from the outside that
told her probation was at an end. She
could no longer speculate: 1t was high
time to act
The outpost" came from BaldOs. In
strained tones.
perhaps they won't know us-you,
mean" she whispered.
Baron Dangloss knows everybody"
be replied bitterly.
what horrid old busybody he"-
she started to say. but thought better
of It.
A couple Of lanterns flashed at the
window, almost binding her. Aunt
Fanny groaned audibly. but the figure
| OF Baldos seemed to stiffen with de-
fiance. Uniformed men peered into the
INTERIOR with more rudeness and curl
osity than seemed respectful to prin-
cess, to say the least. They saw pref
ty, pleading face, with wide gray eyes
and parted lips. but they did not bow
In humble submission, as Baldos had
expected. One of the men, evidently In
command. addressed Beverly in rough
but polite tones. 1t was question
that he asked, she knew, but she could
not answer him, for she could not un-
derstand him.
"What do you want?" she put in
English, with a credltable display Of
dignity.
"He does not speak English, your
highness." volunteered Baldos, in a
voice so well disguised that ii startled
her. The officer was staring blankly at
her.
Every officer in my army should
and must learn to speak English" she
said, at her wits end. Il decline to
be questioned by the fellow. Will you
talk to him in my steadT
81, your highnessr he cried in dis
may.
"Yes. Tell him who we are and ask
where the hospital is" she murmured,
sinking back with the air of queen,
but with the inward feeling that all
was lost.
But don't speak your language
WELL" he protested.
You speak 1t beautifully" she said.
Baldos leaned forward painfully and
spoke to the officer In the Graustark
tongue.
"Don't you know your princess" he
demanded trihe harshly. The mans
eyes flew wide open In an instant and
his jaw dropped.
''Tlre-the prlncsss he gasped.
"Don't stare like that, sir. Direct US
to the main gate at once, or you will
have cause to regret your sl0wness."
But the princess was-is coming BY
the northern pass" mumbled the man.
''The guard has gone out to meet her
aud Baldos cut him OF shortly with
& the information that the princess. as
be could see. had come by the lower
pass and that she was eager to reach
q resting place at once. The convinc-
Ing tone Of the speaker and the regal
indifference Of the lady had full effect
upon the officer, who had never seen
her highness. He fell back with a
deep obeisance and gave a few bewil-
dered commands to his men. The
coach moved on, attended by a party
of foot soldiers, and Beverly breathed
her first sigh of relief.
you did II beautifully" she whis-
pered to Baldos, and he was cOnsid
erably puzzled by the ardor of her
praise. "Wbere are we going now?"
size asked.
Into the city. your highness," he an
swered. 1t was beginning to dawn
upon him that she was amazingly ig-
norant and inconsequential for one
who enjoyed the right to command
these common soldiers Her old trep-
ldation returned with this brief an
swer Something told her that he was
beginning to mistrust her at last Aft
er all. 1t meant everything to him and
so little TO her. I
Nutu lhc lut
city gates she was in dire state of
unhappiness. In the darkness she
could feel the reproachful eyes Of old
Aunt Fanny searching for her aban-
doned conscience.
ASK II Baron Dangloss Is In Gan
look, and, II he is. command them to
take me TO him Immediately" she
whispered to Baldos, sudden inspira-
ton seiZlng her. She would lay the
whole matter before the great chief OF
police and trust to fortune. Fer hand
fell impulsively upon his and. TO her
amazement. IL was as cold as ice
what is the matteri" she cried In
alarm.
"You trusted me in the wilds, your
highness,' he said tensely; Il am trust
Ing you now" Before she could reply
the officer In charge of the Ganlook
gates appeared ut the coach window.
There We're lights ON all sides Her
heart sank like lead. 1t would be
miracle If she passed the gates I'M
recognized.
Il must see Baron Dangloss at once"
she cried In English. utterly disdaining
her instructions 10 Radios