The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-08-17

1.-Two of the men walked close be
side the door, one of them bear
ing a lantern. They conversed
IL in low tones and in q language
which Beverly could not understand.
After awhile she found herself analyz-
ing the garb and manner of the men.
She was saying to herself that here
were her first real specimens of Grau-
stark peasantry, and they were to
mark an ineffaceable spot in her men,
ory. They were dark, strong faced men
of medium height, with fierce black
eyes and long black hair. As no tive
were dressed alike, it was impossible
to recognize characteristic 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 but dilapidated uni
forms of the soldiery, 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
nearest the coach wore the dirty gray
uniform of an army officer, full of
holes and rents, while another strobe
along in pair of baggy yellow trou-
sers and dusty London dinner jacket.
All IN all, 1t was the motliest band of
vagabonds she had ever seen. There
were at least ten or a dozen in the par
ty. While a few carried swords, all
lugged the long rifles and crooked dag
gers of the Tartars.
Aunt Fanny" Beverly whispered,
suddenly moving to the side of the sub
dued servant, where is my revolver"
1t had come to her like fash that a
subsequent emergency should not find
her unprepared. Aunt Fanny's jaw
dropped, and her eyes were like white
rings in black screen.
Good Lawd, wha - what TO-, Miss
Bev'ly''-
"Sh! Don't call me Miss Bev'ly.
Now, just you pay 'tention to me, and
I'll tell you something queer. Get my
revolver right away and don't let those
men see what you are doing" While
Aunt Fanny's trembling fingers went
in search of the f1rearm, Beverly out
lined the situation briefly, but explicit
ly. The old woman was not slow to
understand. Her wits sharpened by
fear, she grasped Beverly's instruc-
tons with astonishing avidity.
"Ve'y well, yo' highness," she said,
with fine reverence, "Ahll p'ocuah de
bottle O. pepp'mint TO yo if yo' jes'
don mine me pullin' an haulin'
'druther hab de gingehT With this
wonderful subterfuge as shield she
dug slyly into one of the bags and
pulled forth a revolver. Under ordi-
nary circumstances she would have
been MORALLY afraid to touch it. but
not so in this emergency. Beverly
showed the weapon into the pocket of
her gray travelling jacket
Il feel much better now, Aunt Fan
n.y." she said, and Aunt Fanny gave
vast chuckle.
'Yaas, ma'am, indeed-yo' highness."
she agreed suavely.
The coach rolled along for half an
hour and then stopped with a sudden
jolt. An instant later the tall driver
appeared at the window, his head un-
covered. A man hard by held Ian
tern.
Qua vandos ar deltanet, yos serent."
said the leader showing his white !
teeth in triumphant smile. His ex- /
posed eye seemed to be glowing with |
pleasure and excitement.
'What?" murmured Beverly hopeless
ly. A puzzled expression came into
his face; then his smile deepened and |
his eye took on knowing CLEAN
"Ah, l see," he said gayly. your
highness prefers not to speak the Ian
guage of Graustark. Is it necessary
for me to repeat in English?'
81 really wish you would" said Bev
erfy. catching her breath. "JuSt to see
how it sounds, you know"
Your every wish shall be gratilcd. |
beg 10 inform you that we have
ieached the Inn of tie Hawk and Ra-
ven. This is where we dwelt last light
Tomorrow we, too, abandon the place
so our fortunes may rCl together for
some hours ut least. There is bgt lit
tie TO offer you in the way OF nourish-
meat. and there is none OF tie com
fe.t IS of n palace. Yet princesses can