Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-06-14

to'ahds 'loben o'clock. Dat iii tum-
my o yourn'l be pow'ful mad cause
yo' dldn' -
every well, Aunt Fanny, you can
run along and have the woman nut I'D
breakfast for us, and we'll eat 1t on
the road. | positively refuse to eat
another mouthful in that awful dining
room. I'll be down in ten minutes"
She was down in less. Sleep. no
matter how hard earned. had revived
her spirits materially. She pronounced
herself ready for anything. There was
a wholesome disdain for the rigors of
the coming ride through the mountains
In the way she gave orders for the
start. The Russian officer mot her
Just outside the entrance to the inn
He was less English than ever, but he
eventually gave her to understand that
he had secured permission to escort
her as far as Ganlook, town IN
Graustark not more than fifteen miles
from Edelweiss and at least two days
from Balak. Two competent Axphain-
ian guides had been retained, and the
party was quite ready to start He
had been warned Of the presence of
brlgands in the wild mountainous
passes north of Gaulook. The Rus
slams could go no farther than Gan
look because Of royal edict from
Edelweiss forhidding the nearer ap-
proach of armed forces At that town,
however, he was sure she easily could
obtain an escort of Graustarkian sol
dicrs.
As the big coach crawled up the
mountain road and farther into the
oppressive solltulc+ Beverly Calhoun
drew from the dttioult lieutenant con
siderable Information concerning the
state Of affairs n 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 Edclweiss 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 Edclweiss 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 q strong, over
bearing princess was eGging Graustark
on TO fight, while on the other side IN
equally aggressive people defed Ye-
tive to come and take the fugitive II
she could. The poor princess was be
tween two ugly alternatives. and q
struggle seemed inevitable. At Balak
it was learned that Axphain had re
Gently sent q final appeal to the gov
eminent OF Graustark, and 1t was nc
secret that something like threat &C
| companied the message
Prince Gabriel was in complete con
troll at Scrros and was disposed tc
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. Gabriers power over the
army was supreme. The general pub
/ lie admired Dantau, hut it was helpless
/ in the face of circumstances.
But why should AXphain seek tC
harass Graustark at this time de
manded Beverly Calhoun in pcrplex
/ ity and wrath Il should think thu
/ 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 hi!
own way, "hut it is greatly in the mi
nority. The Axphainians have hated
Graustark since the last war, and th'
princess despises this American. 1t +
an open fact that the Duke of Miro
leads the opposition to Princess Noga
and she is sure to have him beheade,
If the chance affords. He is friendly
to Graustark and has been against thu
policy of his princess from the start.
I'D like to hug the Duke of MzroX,
cried Beverly warmly. The officer die
not understand her but Aunt Fanny
was scandalized.
Good I.awd" she muttered to thu
boxes and bags.
AS the coach rolled deeper and deep
or into the rock Swallowed wilderness
Beverly Calhoun felt an undeniabl
sensation of awe creeping over her
The brave, impetuous girl had plunge
gayly into the project which now leo
her into the deadlieSt of uncertanue
with but little thought of the conse
quences.
The first stage Of the journey h,
coach had beeu good fun. They ha'
passed along pleasant roads, throug
quaint villages and among interesting
people. and progress had been RAPID
The second stage had presented rathe
terrifying prospects, and the third da
promised even greater vicissitude'
Looking from the coach windows on
upon the quiet, desolate grandeur @
her surroundings, poor Beverly Oega
to appreciate how Abjectly helpless an
alone she was. Her companions Wer
ugly, vicious looking men, any one O
whom could inspire terror by loob
She had iptrusted herself 10 the car
Of these strange creatures in the Af
mcnt of inspired courage, and now al
waa constrained to rnpret her actor