Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-06-28

the brightest experience of my life"
BE seated" she cried suddenly.
"You are too i'll to stand"
Were l dying should refuse to he
seated while your hlghness stands"
said he simply. His shoulders seemed
TO square themselves Involuntary. and
his left hand twitched as though ac-
customed to the habit Of touching a
sword hilt. Beverly sat down instant
ly. With his usual easy grace he took
Il chair near by. They were alone in
the antcchambcr.
Even though you We're on your last
lcgsi" she murinurcd, and then wonder
ed how she could have uttered any
thing so inanc. Somehow she was be-
ginning to fear that he was not the or
binary person she had Judged him to
be. "You are TO he discharged from
the hospital tomorrow she added
hastily.
Tomorrow" he cried. his eyes light
ing with joy. Il may go them
Il have decided TO take YOU to Edel-
weiss with nc" she said. very much as
if that were all there was to il. He
stared at her for full minute as
though doubling his ears.
no" he said at last. his jaws set
Ting. his eyes glistcnng 1t was a
terrible setback for Beverly's conf
dcnce. "Ynur highncss forgcts that |
have your promise of absolute free
dom"
But you are TO be free" she protest
ed You have nothing to fear 1t IS
not compulsory, YOU know. You don't
have to 40 unless You really want to.
But my heart IS SGT on having YOU in
in the castle guard" His bitter. mock
Ing laugh surprised and wounded her,
which lie was quick to see, for his
coutrition was immediate.
Pardon. your highncss am a
rude. unCrateful wretch, and | deserve
punishment instead of reward. The
proposal was 50 astounding that for
got myself completely" h. said.
Whereupon. catching him in this con-
tritc mood, she began n determined as
sault against his resolution. For an
hour she devoted her whole heart and
soul TO the task of overcoming his
prciudiceS, fears and objections, meet
ing his proteStatlons firmly and logic
ally. unconscious OF the fact that her
very enthusiasm was betraying her to
him. The first Sicns of weakening in
spircd her afreSh and at last she was
riding over him roughshod. a happy
victor. She made promises that Ietive
herself could not have made; she offer
ed Inducements that never could he
carried out, although in her zeal she
did not know it to be so; she painted
such pictures of ease. comfort and
pleasure that he wondered why royal
ty did not exchange places with its
servants. In the end, overcome by the
spirit Of adventure and desire to be
| near her, he agreed to enter the service
for six months. at the expiration Of
which time he was to be released from
all obligations If he so desired.
"But my friends in the pass, your
highness.' he said in surrendering,
what is to become Of them? They are
waiting for me out there in the wilder
! ness. | am not base enough to desert
them"
Cant you get word to them?" she
the city too. We will provide for the
poor fellows, believe me-"
THAT, at least. Is impossible, your
hiGhness." he said, shaking his head
sadly. "You will have to STAY them
before YOU can bring them within the
city gates. My only hope is that Franz
may he here tonight. He has permits
sion to enter and am expecting him
today or tomorrow"
You can send word to them that
you are sound and safe, and you can
| tell them that Graustark soldiers shall
| be instructed TO pay no attention to
them whatever. They shall not be dis
| turbed." He laughed outright ut her
enthusiasm. Many times during her
eager conversation with Raldos she
had almost betrayed the fact that she
was not the princess. Some Of her
! expressions were distinctly unregal
and some of her slips were hopeless
as she viewed them in retrospect,
"What am |? Only the humble goat
huIIt'i, huIit''i " ttdtii anu t'lSti ioi
a short respite. DO with me as you
| like, your highncss. You shall be my
princess and sovereign for six months
at least" he said, signing. perhaps il
is for the bcst"
you are the strangcSt man I've ever
seem" she remarked, puzzled beyond
expression.
That night Franz appeared at the
| hospital and was left alone with Bal
| dos for an hour or more. What passed
! between them no outsider knew
though there We're tears in the eyes of
both at the parting. But Franz did not
start for the pass that night, as they
had expected. Strange news had come
to the ears of the faithful old follower
and he hung about Ganlook until
morning came. eager to catch the cal
of his leader before it was too late.
The coach was drawn up In front of
the hospital at s O'Clock, Beverly tri.
umphant in command. Raldos came
down the steps slowly, carefully, IA
voring the newly healed ligaments III
his legs. She smiled chccrily at him.
and he swung his rakish hat low.
There was no sign of the black patch.
suddenly he started and pcered in
tcntly into the little knot Of people
near the coach \ look of anxiety
/ l,;-. ANt,I Il