Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-06-07
BEVERLY OF
GRAUSTARk
BY GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEGN.
Author Of ''Graussark'
Copyright, 1901, by Dodd. Mead and Company
copgnoAt. la04, b. Doaa. Msad and companu

one of your most important cities with
out even SO much as seeing soldier
of Graustark?"
She felt that he was scofing, but it
mattered little to her.
1T is a bit odd, isn't it?" she agreed.
Worse than that, your highness- ("
81 shall speak to Dangloss about it. "
she said serenely, and he looked up In
new surprise Truly she was an ex-
traordinary princess.
Fully three-quarters of an hour pass
ed before the coach was checked. Bev-'
erly, looking from the windows, had
seen the lighted windows of cottages
growing closer and closer together.
The barking of roadside dogs was the
only sound that could be heard above
the rattle of the wheels 1t was too
dark inside the coach to see the face
OF the man beside her, but something
told her that he was staring intently
into the night, alert and anxious. The
responsibility of her position swooped
down upon her like an avalanche as
she thought of what the next few min
utes were to bring forth. 1t was the
sudden stopping of the coach and the
sharp commands from the outside that
told her probation was at an end. She
could no longer speculate: it was high
time to act.
"The outpost" came from Baldos. in
strained tones.
"Perhaps they won't know us-you, !
means = she whispered.
Baron Dangloss knows everybody.
he replied bitterly.
s'What a horrid old busybody he"-
She started to say, but thought better
Of it.
A couple of lanterns flashed at the
window, almost binding her. Aunt
Fanny groaned audibly, but the figure
of Baldos seemed to stiffen with de-
dance Uniformed men peered into the
INTERIOR with more rudeneSs and curl
osity than seemed respectful to prin-
cess, to say the least. They saw pref
fy, pleading face, with wide gray eyes
and parted lips, but they did not bow
IN humble submission, as Baldos had
expected. One of the men, evidently in
command, addressed Beverly in rough
but polite tones. 1t was a question
that he asked, she knew, but she could
not answer him, for she could not I'M
t1erstand him.
What do you want7' she put in
English, with a creditable display Of
dignity. IS
s.He does not speak English your
highness," volunteered Baldos, in a
voice so well disguised that it startled
her. The officer was staring blankly at
her.
Every officer in my army should
and must learn to speak English, she
said, at her wits end. Il decline to
be questioned by the fellow. Will you
talk to him in my stead r
Il, your highness?" he cried in dis
may.
sYes. Tell him who we are and ask
where the hospital is" she murmured,
sinking back with the air Of queen,
but with the inward feeling that all
was lost
but 1 don't speak your language
well,o he protested.
ssYou speak it beautifully" she said.
Baldos leaned forward painfully and
spoke to the officer in the Graustark
tongue.
.sDon't you know your princess?'' be
demanded a trife harshly. The mans
eyes few wide open In an instant and
bis jaw dropped.
sThe- the princess?' he gasped.
ADon't stare like that, sir. Direct us
TO the main gate at once, or you will
have cause to regret your slowness.Y
s'But the princess was-is coming by
the northern pass mumbled the man.
1.-THE guard has gone out to meet her
and Baldos cut him off shortly with
the information that the princess, as
he could see, had come by the lower
pass and that she was eager to reach
a resting place at once The convinc-
ing tone of the speaker and the regal
indifference of the lady had full effect
upon the officer, who had never seen
her highness. He fell back with a
deep obeisance and gave few bewil-
dered commands to his men. The
coach moved OF, attended by party
Of foot soldiers, and Beverly breathed
her first sigh of relief.
tsYou did it beautifully" she whis7
pered to Baldos, and he was consid-
erably puzzled by the ardor Of her
praise. where are we going now?"
she asked.
4Into the city, your highness, +" he an
swered. It was beginning to dawn
upon him that she was amazingly ig-
norant and inconsequential for one
who enjoyed the right to command
these common soldiers. Her old trep-l
idafion returned with this brief an
swer. Something told her that he was
beginning to mistrust her at last Aft
er all, it meant everything to him and
so little to her.
When the coach halted before the
-. Tiro cfqfa 0f