Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-05-04
By
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHEON,
Author of "Graustark"
e..
Copyright. 1904. BY Dodd.
Mead and Company
,,..

| ing the coach into the glen through
which they walked carefully. Her feet
| fell upon soft, grassy sward, and tile
| clatter of stones was now no longer
heard. They We're among the shad-
owy trees, gaunt trunks Of enormous
! size looming up in the light of the Ian
terms. Unconsciously her thoughts
went over to the forest of Arden and
| the woodland home of Rosalind, as she
had imagined it to be. Soon there
came to her ears the swish of waters,
as of some turbulent river hurrying
by. Instinctively she drew back, and
her eyes We're set with alarm upon the
black wall of night ahead. Yetive had
spoken more than once Of this wilder
ness. Many an unlucky traveller had
been lost forever In Its Businesses.
ut is the river, your highness. There
is no danger. will not lead you into
it." he said. trif1e roughly. 1--WE are
low in the valley, and there are
marshes yonder when the river is in
Its natural bed, The floods have cover
ed the low grounds, and there is tor
rent coming down from the hills. Here
we are, your highness. This is the Inn
Of the Hawk and Raven"
He bowed and pointed with his hat
to the smoldering fire short distance
ahead. They had turned a bend in the
overhanging cliff and were very close
to the retreat before she saw the glow.
The fire was in the open air and d.
rectly in front Of deep cleft in the
rocky background. Judging by tho
sound the river could not be moro than
200 feet away. Men came up with
lanterns and others piled brush upon
the fire. In very short time the glen
was weirdly Illuminated by the dane
ing flames. From her seat on the huge
log Beverly was thus enabled to survey
a portion Of her surroundings. The
overhanging ledge of rock formed a
wide, deep canopy, underneath which
was perfect shelter. The floor seemed
to be rich, grassless loan, and here and
there We're pallets of long grass, evil
IDENTITY the couches Of these homeless
men. All about were huge trees, and
In the direction Of the river the grass
grew higher and then gave place to
reeds. The foliage above was so dense
that the moon and stars We're invisible.
There was deathly stiffness in the air.
The very loneliness was SO appalling
that Beverly's poor little heart was in
q culver Of dread. Aunt Fanny, who
rat near by, had not spoken since leav-
ing the coach, but her eyes were eX-
pressively active.
The tall leader stood near the fire
conversing with half dozen of his fol-
lowers. Miss Calhoun's eyes finally
rested upon this central figure in the
strange picture. He was attired in q
dark gray uniform that reminded her
oddly of the dragoon choruses in the
comic operas at home. The garments
while torn and soiled, were well fitting
His shoulders were broad and square
his hips narrow, his legs long and
straight. There was an air of impu
dent grace about him that went wei
with his life and profession.
Surely here was careless free lance
upon whom life weighed lightly. while
death "stood afar off" and despaired
The light Of the fire brought his CLEAN
ing face into bold relief, for his ha
was of. Black and thick was his hair
rumpled and apparently uncared for
The face was lean, smooth and strong
with a devil-may-care curve at the cor
ners Of the mouth. Beverly found her
self lamenting the fact that such an in
; terest1ng face should be marred by al
ugly black patch, covering she knew
not what manner Of defect. AS for tn
rest Of them, they were grim com
pany. Some were young and beardless
others were old and grizzly, but al
were active, alert and strong. Th
leader appeared to be the only one Il
the party who could speak and under
stand the English language. AS Bey
erly sat and watched his virile, mock
ing face and studied his graceful move
ments she found herself wonderin
. how an ignorant. homeless wandere
. In the hills could be so poetic and s
cultured as this fellow seemed to be.
Three or four men, who were unmil
takably Of lower order than thei
companions, set about preparing SUI
= pen. Others unhitched the tired horse
and led them of toward the river. Tw
:, dashing young fellows carried the ses
cushions under the rocky canopy an
constructed an elaborate couch for tt
"pFtncess." The chief, with. his ow
hands, soon began the construction {
small chamber In this particular co
ner Of the cave near the opening. TT
walls Of the chamber were formed (
carriage robes and blankets, cloaks an
= oak branches.
!, "The guest chamber, your highness
= he said. approaching her with smi
at the conclusion Of his work.
att has been most interesting
: watch you," she said, rising.
"And it has been delight to intes
st you," he responded. you will fin
peolusion there. and you need see non
Of US until 1t pleases you"
She looked him fairly In the eye for
}. moment and then impulsively extende
her hand. He clasped it warmly, b,
: not without some show of surprise.
II am trusting you implicitly" 81
= said.
! "The knave is glorified," was b
), simple rejoinder. He conducted b
to the improvised bedchamber, Au
= Fanny following with loyal but u
certain tread. II regret, your hig
ness, that the conveniences are SO fe
We have no landlady except Moth
= Darth, no walters, no porters, no mait
- in the Inn Of the Hawk and Rave
= This being mems hotel. the baths q