Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-05-08


She did not have to look down to know
that it was Aunt Fanny.
Goodness gasped Beverly, and
then it was pitch dark again. The man
at her side called out q command in his
own language and then turned his face
close to hers.
do not be alarmed. We are quite
safe now. The royal bedchamber has
come to grief, however, am sorry to
say. What a fool was not to have
foreseen all this! The storm has been
brewing since midnight" he was say
ing to her.
isn't it awful" cried Beverly be-
tween moan and shrek.
"They are trifes after one gets used
to Them" he said. II have come to be
quite at home in the tempest. There
are other things much more annoying,
| assure your highness. We shall have
lights in moment" Ever as he spoke
two or three lanterns began to flicker
feebly.
BE quiet, Aunt Fanny, you are not
killed at ALL" commanded Beverly
quite firmly.
'De house is suah to blow down,
Miss-yo' highness," groaned the trusty
maidservant. Beverly laughed bravely
but nervously with the tall goat hunter.
He at once set about making his guest
comfortable and secure from the eff
fects of the tempest, which was now at
Its height. Her couch of cushions was
dragged far back into the cavern and
the rescued blankets, though drenched,
again became screen.
DO you imagine that I'm going in
there while this storm rages?" Beverly
demanded as the work progressed.
care you not afraid of lightning!
Most young women are"
That's the trouble am afraid of
1t. I'd much rather stay out here where
there is company. You don't mind, do
you?"
Paradise cannot be spurned by one
who now feels It's warmth for the first
time" he said CALAMITY "Your fear Is
my delight. Pray sit upon our throne.
1t was once humble carriage pail of
leather, but now it is exalted. Besides,
1t is much more comfortable than some
Of the gilded chairs we hear about"
you are given to irony, l fear" she
said, observing peculiar smile on bis
lips.
II crave pardon. your highness," he
said humbly. 1.-THE heart Of the goat
hunter is more gentle than his wit. /
shall not again forget that you are a
princess and the veriest beggar."
Il didn't mean to hurt you'll" she
cried In CONSERVATION, for she was a
very poor example of what princess
is supposed to be.
'"There is no wound, your highness,"
he quickly said. With hooking grace
that almost angered her he dropped to
his knee and motioned for her to be
seated. She sat down suddenly, clap
ping her hands to her ears and shut
ting her eyes tightly. The crash of
thunder that came at that instant was
the most fearful Of all, and it was a
full minute before she dared to lift her
lids again. He was standing before
her, and there was genuine compassion
In his face. tits terrible" he said.
Never before have I seen such a
storm. Have courage, your highness.
1t can last but little longer"
"Goodness!" said the real American
girl, for want Of something more ex-
pressive.
Your servant has crept into your
couch, fear. Shall sit here at your
feet? Perhaps you may feel small
sense Of security If r.
Indeed, want you to sit there
| she cried. He forthwith threw him
self upon the floor of the cave, a
graceful, respectful guardian. Minutes
went by without word from either
The noise Of the storm made 1t i'm.
posi- lie to speak and be heard. Seat.
tered about the cavern were his out.
stretched followers. doubtless asleep
once more in all this turmoil. With
the first lull In the war Of the ele.
ments Beverly gave utterance to the
thought that long had been struggling
for release.
"Why do you wear that horrld bIacl;
patch over your eyer" she asked, a
trihe timidly. He muttered sharp
exclamation and clapped his hand to
bis eye For the first time since the
beginning of their strange acquaint-
anceship Beverly observed downright
confusion in this debonair knight of
the wilds.
1T has-has slipped off," he STAN
mered, with guilty grin. His merry
insolence was gone, his composure
with it. Beverly laughed with keen
enjoyment over the discontinue of the
shame faced vngabond.
You can't fool me!' she exclaimed
shaking her finger at him In the most
unconventional way. ut was Intend
ed to be disguise. There is abso-
lutely nothing the matter with your
eye."
j He was speeches. for a moment re.
covering himself. Wisdom is conceiv-
ed in silence, and he knew this. Vaga.
bond or gentleman he was clever
actor.
1.-THE eye is weak, your highness, and
4 cover 1t in the daytime to protect 1t
from the sunlight" he said coolly.
That's all very nice, but it looks to
be quite as good as the other. And
what is more, sir, you are not putting
the patch over the same eye that wore
1T when first saw you. 1t was the
left eye at sunset. Does the trouble
transfer after dark?"
1 He broke into an honest laugh and
hastily moved the black patch across
his nose to the left eye.