Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-06-21

In her excitement she fired rcckteSStU.
with pain How brave you were!
You might have been-Tll never forget
it-never. Don't stand there, Aunt
Fanny. Quick Get those cushions
for him. He's hurt"
Good Lawd" was all the old wom-
an could say, but she obeyed her mis-
tress
ut was easier than 1t looked. your
highness." murmured Baldos. Luck
was with me The knife went to his
heart. l am merely scratched. His
leap was short, hut he caught me
above the knee with his claws. Alas,
your highness, these trousers of mine
were bad enough before. but now thay
are in shreds. What patching I shall
have to do. And you may we'll imagine
we are short Of thread and needles ard
thimbles"
Don't Jest, for heavens sake. Don't
talk like that. Here! Lie down upon
these cushions and
"Never. Desecrate the couch Of
Graustark's ruler? l, the poor goat
hunter? I'll use the lion for pillow
and the rock for an operating table
In ten minutes my men can have these
scratches dressed and bound-in fact,
there is a surgical student among them.
poor fellow. l think l am his first pa
tent. Ravone, attend me-
He threw himself upon the ground
and calmly placed his head upon the
body of the animal,
II insist upon your taking these
cushions" cried Beverly.
"And decline irrevocably" She
stared at him in positive anger. Trust
Ravone to dress these trifling wounds.
your hiRhness. He may not be as
gentle, but he Is as Arm as any prin-
cess in all the world"
But your ARM" she cried. Didn't
you say it was your legs? Your arm Is
covered with blood too. Oh, dear me,
I'm afraid you are frightfully wound
cd"
"a stray bullet from one Of my men
struck me there, think. You know
there was but little time for aiming
"Walt! Let me think a minute!
Good heavens" she exclaimed, with q
start. Her eyes were suddenly filled
with tears. and there was break In
her voice. 81 shot you. Don't deny 1t
don't. 1t Is the right arm, and your
men could not have hit 1t from where
they stood, Oh. oh. oh"'
Baldos smiled as he barred his arm.
"Your aim was good" he admitted.
Had not my knife already been In the
lions heart your bullet would have
gone there. 1t 10 my misfortune that
my arm was in the way. Besides, your
highness. 1t has only cut through the
skin. and little below, perhaps. II
will be well In q day or two. l am
sure you will find your bullet in the
carcass of our lamented friend, the
probable owner Of this place"
Ravone. a hungry looking youth, took
charge Of the wounded leader. while
her hlghness retreated to the farthest
corner Of the cavern. There she sal
and trembled while the wounds were
being dressed. Aunt Fanny BUSTED
back and forth. first uncsremoniously
pushing her way through the circle Of
men to take observations and then re-
porting to the impatient girl. The
storm had passed. and the night was
still except for the rush Of the river
Raindrops fell now and then from the
trees, glistening like diamonds as they
touched the light from the cavern's
mouth. 1t was all very dreary. uncan
ny and oppressive to poor Beverly. Now
and then she caught herself sobbing
more out Of shame and humiliation
tan In sadness, for had she not shot
the man who stepped between her and
death7 What must hs think OF hT7
He says 20 all d bsttah 70 to bald
Miss Bsv-yo' hishasss." said Aunt
Fanny after one Of her trips.
"Oh. ho does. does bel" shifted BsH
srly. "I'll 20 to bed when I phase
Tell him 70. No. no-don't DO II, Aun,
Fanny! Tell him I'll "a to bed whsz
I'm surs he 10 quite comforta bio. eoI
before"