The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-11-30
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHEON.
-, r.r
Author Of "Graustark~
y =
6OeyTieAt 1904 b. Dodd
Mod md Gounsny

bergen pass, and they talked with him
and his men. There was no mistake
this time The poor half starved chap
confessed to being the prince and beg
ged for food for himself and his fol-
lowers"
Il tried to find him and, failing In
that, left word In the pass that II he
would but cast his lot with US in this
trouble we soon would restore him to
his throne" said Lory. He may ac-
cept, and we shall have him turning
up here some day hungry for revenge.
And now. my dear Beverly, how are
you progressing with the excellent
BaIdos, of whom we cannot make q
prince, no matter how hard we tryT
/ Beverly and the princess exchanged
giances In which CONSERVATION was diff
ficult to conceal. 1t was clear to Bev-
crly that Yetive had not told her hus-
band of the escape.
II don't know anything about Bal
dos she answered steadily. Last
night some one shot at him In the
park"
The deuce you say!'
"In order to protect him until you re-
turned. Gren. had him transferred
to guard duty inside the castle" ex-
planned the princess ut really seem
ed necessary. General Marlanx ex-
poets to present formal charges against
him this morning, so | suppose we
shall have to put him in irons for a
f.. ton
II, Grenf"
! Yes. He's as straight as string,
I'll swear" said Lorry emphatically,
I'm bet he wishes he were safely
out of this place" ventured Anguish,
and two young women busted them
selves suddenly with their coffee.
THE chance is he's sorry he ever
/ came into it," said Lorry tantalizingly.
While they were waiting for Mar
Ianx the young Duke of Mizrox was
announced The handsome Axphain-
| ian came with relief and dismay strug-
Cling for mastery in his face.
"Your highness," he said after the
greetings. Il am come to inform you
that Graustark has one prince less to
account for Axphain has found her
| fugitive
"When?" cried the princess and Bey-
| erly in one voice and with astonishing
eagerness. not unmixed with dismay.
'Three days ago" was the reply,
"Oh," came in deep relief from Bev-
erly as she sank back into her chair.
The same fear had lodged In the hearts
of tire twv .air conspirators--that they
had freed Baldos only to have him fall
/ into the hands of his deadliest foes.
II have q message by courier f@esu
my uncle In Axphain,' said Mizrox.
"He says that Frederic was killed near
Talbot by soldiers, after making gal
liant fight, on last Sunday night. The
Princess volga is rejoicing and has
amply rewarded his slayers. Poor
Frederic! He knew but little happi-
ness in this life."
There was full minute of reflection
before any of his hearers expressed
the thought that had framed Itself In
every mind.
"WelI, since Dantan and Frederic are
accounted for. Baldos is absolutely
obliged to be Chrfstobal." said Anguish
resignedly. ea !,
Hes just Baldos," observed Bever-
~ snufing out the faint hope that had
fingered 20 long Then she said to her.
self: And | don't care. either only
wish he were back here again. I'D be
good deal nicer to him"
Messengers few back and forth. car
tying orders from the castle to various
quarters. The ministers were called
70 meet at IL o'clock. Underneath all
| the hustle there was a tremendous i'm
pulse of American cunning energy and
resourcefulness. Every one caught the
fcvcr Reserved old diplomats were
overwhelmed by their own enthusiasm.
Custom bound soldiers forgot the he
reditary caution and fell into the ways
OF the new leaders without mnrmnr.
The city was wild with excitement for
all believed that the war was upon
them There was but one shadow
| overhanging the glorious optimism Of
Graustark ugly. menacing attitude
UI hFtH tAC DuhE VI
could give no assurance that his coun-
try would remain neutral.
Colonel Quinnox came to the castle
In haste and perturbation II was he
who propounded the question that
Yetive and, Beverly were. expecting,
where is Baldos?' or course the
flight of the suspected guard was soon
q matter of certainty. A single i'm
ploring glance from the princess. meant
for the faithful Quinnox alone. told
him as plainly as words could have
said that she had given the man his
freedom. And Quinnox would have
died thousand times to protect the
secret of his sovereign, for had not
twenty generations of Qulnnoxes serv-
ed the rulers of Graustark with I'M
flnching loyalty Baron Dangloss may
have suspected the trick, but he did
not so much as blink when the princess
instructed him To hunt high and low
FOR the fugitive.
Marlans came at II. Under the de-
Aanf ,.aI ,nnass of his hearing there was