Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-12

"What" he exclaimed, drawing back
In we'll assumed horror. "Do you mean
are you testing? beg Of you, do
not Jest. 1t is very serious with me-"
His alarm was so genuine that she was
completely deceived.
81 am not jestipg," she half whis-
pered, turning very cold. "Have you
thought all along that I am the prln-
cess; that am Grenfall Lorrys wife?"
You told me that you were the prin-
cess"
but I'VE never said that was-was
any ones wife"
There was piteous appeal in her
voice, and he was not slow to notice It
and rejoice. Then his heart smote him.
But what is to become Of me If you
are not the princcss?' he asked after
a long pause. II can no longer serve
you. This is my last day in the castle
guard"
"Iou are to go on serving mel mean
you are to retain your place in the serv-
ico," she fastened to say. ~ shall
keep my promise to you" How small
and humble she was beginning TO feel!
1t did not seem so entertaining after
all, this pretty deception Of hers. Down
in his heart, underneath the gallant ex-
terror, what was his opinion of her?
Something was singing her eyes fierce
ly, and she closed them t keep back
the tears of modification.
Miss Calhoun" he said, his manner
changing swiftly, ~ have felt from the
first that YOU are not the Princess Of
Graustark. knew it an hour after l
entered Edelweiss. Franz gave me
note ut Gaulook. but did not read Il
until was n member Of the guard"
You have known it so long?" she
cried ioyously. and you have trusted
me? You have not hated me for de-
ceiving your
II have never ceased to regard you
as my sovereign" he said softly.
But just a moment ago you spoke Of
me as frisky American girl" she said
resentfully.
Il have used that term but once
while l have said your highness'
thousand times. Knowing that you
were Miss Calhoun, | could not have
meant either
81 fancy l have no right to criticise
you" she humbly admitted after ALL
it does not surprise me that you We're
not deceived. only an imbecile could
have been fooled all these weeks. Ev-
cry one said that you were no fool. 1t
seems ridiculous that it should have
gone to this length doesn't it!'
Not at all, your highness. am
not
You have the habit, l see" she
smiled.
II have several months yet to serve
as a member of the guard Besides,
am under orders to regard you as the
princess. General MarlanX has given
me severe instructions in that respect"
You are willing to play the game to
the end!" she demanded, more graft
fed than she should have been.
"Assuredly yes. 1t is the only safe.
guard I have. To alter my belief pub
licly would expose me toto
ITO what, Bodos?"
ITO ridicule, for one thing, and to the
generous mercieS of Count MarlanX,
Besides, it would deprive me of the
privilege | mentioned n moment ago
the right to kiss your hand. to be your
slave aud to do homage to the only
sovereign I can recognize Surely, you
will not subject me to exile from the
only joys that life holds for me. You
have sought to deceive me, and | have
tried to deceive you. Each has found
the other ont, so we are quits. May we
not now combine forces in the very
la(dabe effort TO deceive the world:
If the world doesn't know that wa
know, why, the comedy may be long
drawn out and the climax be made the
more amusing"
I'm afraid there was touch of
your old time sarcasm in that remark"
she said. Yes, l am willing to con.
tinuc the comedy. 1t seems the safest
way to protect you-especially from
General Marlanx. No one must ever
know. Raldos; it would be absolutely
ptiful. | am glad, Oh so glad. that
you have known all the time. 1t re.
lieves my mind and my conscience ire.
mendously.'
Yes he said gently II have known
all along that you We're not Mr.. Lorry's
wife, He had divin6d her thought,
and she flushed holly You are still
princess, however. A poor goat hunter
can only look upon the rich American
girl as sovereign whoh he must wor.
ship from far below"
"Oh, I'm not so rich as all thatw she
cried. Besides, | think it is time for
general clearing up of mysteries,
Are you Prince Dantan, Prince Fred.
eric or that other Christobal some
body? Come, he fair with me-"
ut seems that all Edelweiss looks
upon me as prince in disguise. You
found me in the hills
NO; you found me. l have not for.
gotten. sir"
Il was q vagabopd and fugitive.
My friends are hunted as I am. We
have no home. Why every one should
suspect me of being a prince / cannot
understand Every roamer in the hills
Is not prince. There is a price upon
my head, and there Is reward for the
capture of every man who was with
me in the pass. My name is Paul Bal