Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-09

Uniformed him that General Bra2e' was
his successor as commander In chief
Of the army of Graustark. He hesitat-
ed long before opening the other. 1t
was equally brief and to the point. The
Iron Counts teeth came together with
q savage snap as he read the signature
of the princess at the end. There was
no recourse. She had struck for Bev-
erlv Calhoun. He looked at his watch.
1t was II o'clock. The cdict gave him
twenty-four hours from the noon of
that day. The gray old libertinc dis
patched a messenger for his man of
affairs. n lawyer Of high standing in
Edelweiss. Together they consulted
until midnight. Shortly after daybreak
the morning following Count Marlanx
was in the train for Vienna, never to
set foot on Graustark's soil again. He
was banished and his estates confiscat-
ed by the government.
The ministry in Edelweiss was not
Dawsbergen y proclamation was
sent to the prime minister setting
forth the new order Of affairs and sug-
Gesting the instant suspension of hos
tile preparations and the restoration OF
Prin Dantan. Accompanying this
proclamation went n dignlied message
from Dantat informing his people that
he awaited their commands. lie was
ready to resume the throne that had
been so desecrated, 1t would be his
Joy to restore Dawsbergcn to its once
peaceful and prosperous condition. In
the meantime the Duke of Mizrox dis
patched the news to the Princess Nolga
Of Axphain. who was forced to aban-
CONTEMPORARY at least-her desper-
ate designs upon Graustark. The cap
ture of Gabriel put an end to her trans
parent plans,
But she is bound to break out
against US sooner or later and on the
slightest provocation," said Yetive.
al dare say that a friendly alliance
between Graustark and ~Dawsbergen
will prove sufficient TO check any am
billions she may have along that line"
said Ravone significantly. They are
very near to each other now, your high
ness. Friends should stand together"
Beverly Calhoun was in suspense.
Baldos had been sent off to he frontier
by Prince Dantan. carrying the mes
sage which could he trusted TO no 9th
er. He accompanied the Graustark
ambassadors of peace as Dantan's spe.
Cial agent. He went in the nighttime,
ind Beverly did not see him. The
week which followed his departure
was the longest sire ever spent. She
was troubled in her heart for fear
that he might not return, despite the
declaration she had made to him in
one hysterical moment 1t was diff
cult for her to keep up the show OF
CheerfulnVss That was expected of her.
Reticence became her stronges" char
Rcteristic. She persistently refused to
be drawn into II discussion of her re
lations with the absent one Yctive
was piqued by her manner at first, but
wisely saw through the mask as time
went on. She and Prince Dantan had
many quiet and interesting chats FOL
corning Beverly and the erstwhile
guard. The prince took I.orry and the
princess into his confidence. He told
them all there was to tell about his
dashfng friend and companion.
Beverly and the young Princess Can
dace became fast and loving friends
The young girls worship of her broth
er was beautiful to behold. She hud
died close to him oil every occasion, anC
her dark eyes bespoke alteration when
ever his name was mentioned In hel
presence.
"If he doesn't come back pretty soor
III pack up and start for home" Bcv
erly said to herself resentfully II day
'Then II he wants to see me he'll hav,
to come all the way to Washin'ton. ant
I'm not sure that he can do it, either
He's too dlsgustlngly poor"
"Wha'B became o. dat Misteh Baldos
Miss Bcv'ly?" asked Aunt Fanny IN tn,
midst Of these sorry cogltations, "TIa,
he tuck hit int his hnid to deser
us TO- goodf Seems to me he't
oughteh"-
reprimunded her mistress ~sternly
you are not supposed to know any
thing about affairs Of state, so don
ask"
At Inst she no longer could curb he
impatlenCe and anxiety. Sho de!lbcr
ately sought information from Prime
Dantan. They were strolling In tn
park on the seventh dry Of her IN
QUESTION.
"dnve you heard from Paul Paldos1
she asked, brnvely plunglng Into dee
wlter.
"IIe IL expected here tomorrow or III
next day, Miss Calhoun. ! nm almos
as eager to see him az you are" he RI
piled, with Il very pointed smile.
"klmostf Well. yes, III confess tina
am eager to SEQ him. ! never kne,
could long for any ono rs much d
/ Oh, well. there's no use hiding
from you. ! couldn't If l tried. I Cur
very much for him. You don't thin
It sounds silly for me to say such
thing. do your I've thought IL great DEF
Of him ever since the night at the In
Of the Hawk and Raven. In my In
~agination l have tried to strip you {
your princely robes to place them upo
him, but he Is only Daldos In spite
II oil. He knows that l care for hin
and I know that he cares for me. Pc
haps he has told you."
Eyes. ho has confessed that he low,
you, Miss Calhoun, and he laments II
y"