The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-11-30

ahd MS sister Candace In the part of
'he castle set apart for the visitors an
important consultation was held he
hinu closed doors. There Dantan met
Ills countrymen and permitted them to
renew the pledge Of fealty that had
heen shattered by the overpowering
influence Of his mad half brother
what took place at this secret meet.
ing the outside world never knew.
Only the happy syessIt was made
known. Prince DantAntw was to resume
his reign over Dawsbergen as II. It
never bad been interrupted. tVa
The castle, brilliant from bottom IN
top. filled with music and laughter.
experienced a riot Of happiness sucls,
rs 1t had not known in years. The
war clouds bad lifted, the Sunshine of
contentment was breaking Though the
darkness, and there was rejofciiIg In
the hearts Of all. Bright and glorious
were the colOrs that made up the har-
mony ofTpeace. Men and women Of
high degree came to the historic old
y walls garbed In the riches of royalty
Nand nobility. To Beverly Calhoun 1t
was the most enchanting sight she had
ever looked upon. From the galleries
she gaZed down into the halls glitter
ing with the wealth of GrnuStark and
was conscious of n strange feeling Of
Eiorifcation. She felt that she had
part In this Jubilee. With Candace she
descended the grand staircase and
mingled with the resplendent crowd
She was the center Of attraction.
Dressed In simple. close fitting gown
Of black velvet, without an ornament.
her white arms and shoulders cleaning
ill the soft light from the chandeliers
she was an cnticing creature to be adj
mired by men and women alike. Two
stalwart Americans felt their hearts
bound with pride as they saw the con-
quest their countrywoman was max
ing. Candace. her constant companion
in these days, was consumed with de-
light.
You are the prettiest thing in all
this world she ecstatically whispered
into Beverly's ear. my brother says
So too" she added conclusively. Bev-
erly was too true a woman not to revel
in this subtle fiattery.
The great banquet hall was to be
thrown open at midnight There were
dancing and song during the hours
leading up to this important event.
Beverly was cntranced. She had seen
brilliant affairs at home. but none Of
them compared to this in regal splen-
dor. 1t was the sensuous, overpower-
ing splendor OF the east
Prince Dantan joined the thrOng just
before midnight. He made his way di-
rect to the little circle Of which Bev-
erly and Candace formed the center.
His rich, full military costume gave
him new distinction that quite over
came Beverly. They fell into an ami
mated conversation, exchanging shafts
of wit that greatly amused those who
could understand the language.
You must remember" Beverly said
in reply to one Of Ravone's sallies,
that Americans are not in the least
awed by Europe's greatness 1t has
come to the pass when we call Europe
our playground. We now go to Eu-
rope as we go to the circus or the
county fair at home. 1t isn't much
more trouble, you know, and we must
see the sights"
'"Alas, poor Europew he laughed. As
he strolled about with her and Can.
dace he pointed out certain men to her,
asking her to tax her memory in the
effort to recall their faces If not their
apparel. She readily recognized In the
lean, tired faces the men she had met
first at the Inn Of the Hawk and Ra.
ven.
They were vagabonds then, Miss
calhoun. Now they are noblemen.
Does the transition startle you"
Isn't Baldos among them?' she ask
ed, voicing the query that had been
uppermost In her mind since the mo.
ment when she looked down from the
galleries and failed to see him. She
was wondering how he would appear
In court costume.
''You forget that Baldos Is only a
guard" he said kindly.
"He Is courtier nevertheless" she
retorted.
She was vaguely disappointed be-
cause he was missing from the scene
or splendor. 1t proved to her that
caste overcame all else in the rock
ribbed east. The common man, no
matter how valiant, had no place In
such affairs as these. Her pride was
suffering. She was as queen among
the noblest Of the realm. AS the wife
0 Baldos she would live in another
y world-on the outskirts of this one of
splendor and arrogance. A stubborn,
defiant little frown appeared on her
brow as she pictured herself in her
minds eye standing afar off with "the
man" BaldOs looking at the opulence
she could not reach. Her impetuous,
rebellious little heart was humping