Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-06-14

~ IN low tones Hnu III n language
which Beverly could not understand.
After awhile she found herself analyz-
ing the garb and manner of the men.
She was saying % herself that here
were her first real specimens Of Grau-
stark pesssntry. md they were to
mark an ineffaceab > spot IN her mem
DRY. They were dark, strong faced men
OF medium height with fierce black
eyes and long black hair. As no two
were dressed alike. il was imposs bic
to recognize charac 'eristic styles Of at
tire. Some were in the rude. baggy
costumes of the peasant as she had
imagined him; others were dressed in
the tight fitting bat dilapidated uni
forms Of the soldcry, while several
were in clothes partly European and
partly oriental There were hats and
fezzes and caps. some with feathers in
the bands. others without The man
nea rest the coach wore the dirty gray
uniform Of an army officer, full Of
holes and rents. while another strobe
along in q pair of baggy yellow trou-
sers and dusty London dinner Jacket.
All IN oil, it was the hottest band OF
vags bonds she had ever seen There
were al least ten or n dozen in the par
~. While fcw arrjed swords, all
logged the long rifles and crooked dag
gers OF the Tartars
Aunt Fanny" Beverly whispered.
suddenly moving 10 the SIDE of the sub
dued servant. "where is my revolver p
subsequent emcrgorcy should not find
her unprepared. Aunt Fannys Jaw
dropped, and her eyes were like white
rings in black screen
Good Lawd. wha what TO, Miss
Bev1y"-
"Sh. Don't cal ne Miss Bov'ly
| Now. Just you pay 'tcrtIon to me, and
| I'll tell You something lueer. Get my
revolver right away End don't let those
men see what you are doing" While
Aunt Fanny's trembling fingers went
in search Of the frearm, Beverly out
lined the situation briefly, but explicit
! ly. The Old woman was not slow &c
understand. Her wits sharpened by
fear, she grasped Roverly's instruc
tons with astonishing avidity.
"Ne'y we'll, yo' AEhness," she said
with fine reverence 'Ahll p'ocuah d,
bottle o pepp'mint TO yo' if yo' ies
don mine mo pu,i,n' an haulin
'mongst desc boxes Mebbe yo' al
'druthcr hab de Gingeh?" With thi!
wonderful subterfuce as n shield sh,
dug slyly into one Of the bags anC
pulled forth revolver. Under ord
nary circumstances she would hav,
been MORALLY afraid % touch it. bu
not so in this emergency Beverl,
showed the weapon INTO the pocket o
her gray travelling Jacket
Il feel much better now. Aunt Fan
ny" she said, and Aunt Fanny gave ;
vast chuckle.
"Yaas, ma am, indeed yo highness,
she agreed suaveiy.
The coach rolled along for half al
hour and then stopped with n suddel
jolt An instant later the tall drive
appeared at the window. his head VII
covered, A man hard 10y held Ian
tern.
Qua vandos ar dcItanet. yos serent.
said the leader. showing his whit
teeth In n triumphant smile His eS
posed eye seemed to be glowing wit
pleasure and excitement.
What" murmured Beverly hopeless:
ly. A puzzled expression came int
his face: then his smile deepened an
his eye took on n knowing CLEAN.
All / see" he said gsyly, you
hghness prefers not to speak the lar
guage of Graustark Is it necessar
for me TO repeat in Englishf'
Il really wish you would" said Bey
erly, catching her breath. Just TO Sc
how il sounds. you know
Your every wish shall be grGtifle(
! beg TO inform you that we hav
rea ched the Inn of the Hawk and RI
ven. This Is where we dwelt last nigh
Tomorrow we, too, abandon the pla c.
so our fortunes may run together II
some hours at least. There Is but II
tie to offer you In the way OF nourisl
tutHti anu lheTe ~ Eouc VI Tue COu
forts Of palace. Yet Processes ca
no more be choosers than beggal
when the fares In one pot Com
your highness, let me conduct you
; the guest chamber Of the Inn OF IL
Hawk and Raven"
Beverly took his hand and stepped
the ground. looking about In wondt
ana perplexity.
Il see no ipp," she murmured appr
sensively.
Look aloft. your h!shness. Tht
great black canopy IS the roof; We al
standing upon the foor, and the Ga.
shadows Just beyond the circle Of lisl
are the walls Of the Hawk and Rave
This is the largest tavern In all Ora
stsrk. Its dimensions are as wide
: the world itself"
You mean that there Is no inn
ALI" the girl cried In dismay.
Alas, must confess II. And y
there 10 shelter here. Come with II
! Let your servant follow" He took Il
by the hand and leo her away fro
. II" coach. n ragged lantern Dear
+ preceding. Beverly's little right hal