Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-05


There were half dozen people in
the room when Beverly entered eager
ly. She was painting with excitement.
or all the rooms in the grim old castle
the Doudoir of the princess was the
most famously attractive. 1t was real
ly her home, the exquisite abiding place
of an exquisite creature. To lounge on
glide through her priceless rugs, was
the acme of incident pleasure. Few
were they who enjoyed the privileges
of "little heaven" as Harry Anguish
had chrlstened 1t on one memorable
night long before the. princess was
Mrs Grenfall Lorry.
Nov, how do you feel?' cried the
flushed American girl, pausing in the
door to point an impressive finger at
the princess, who was lying back in
huge chair, the picture Of distress and
annoyance.
II shall never be able to look that
man in the face again." came dolefully
from Yetives humbled lips. Dagmar
was all smiles and in the fttest of
humors. She was the kind of culprit
who loves the punishment because Of
the crime.
WASN'T it ridiculous and wasn't II
Just too lovely?' she cried.
at was extremely theatrical" agreed
Beverly, seating herself on the arm Of
Yetve's chair and throwing warm
arm around her neck "Have you all
heard about it?' she demanded naive
", turning to the others, who unques-
tonably had had jumbled account Of
| the performance.
you got just what you deserved
| amused.
81 wonder what your august vaga-
bond thinks of his princess and her
ladies in hiding;" unused Harry An
guish. The Count and Countess Hal
font were smiling in spite Of the as
sault upon the dignity of the court.
"Td give anything to know what he
really thinks" said the real princess.
"Oh, Beverly. wasn't it awful? And
how he marched us out of that room"'
Il thought it was great" said Bev-
erly, her eyes glowing. wasn't 1t
splendid And isn't he good look
ing?"
HE is good looking. I imagine. But
I am no judge, dear. 1t was utterly
impossible for me to look at his fdce,"
lamented the princess.
what are you going to do with us!'
| asked Dagmar penitently.
You are to spend the remainder Of
your life in dungeon, with Baldos as
guard" decided Miss Calhoun.
Beverly, dear, that man is no ordi-
nary person." said the princess quite
positively.
"Of course he isn't. He's a tall, dark
mystery"
II observed him as he crossed the ter
race this morning. said Lorry. Hes
q striking sort of chap, and I'll bet my
head he's not what he claims to be-"
"He claims to be fugitive, you must
remember" said Beverly in his de.
Tense.
II mean that he is no common male.
factor, or whatever it may be. Who
and what do you suppose he is? I con-
fess that I'm interested in the fellow
and he looks as though one might like
him without half trying. Why haven't
you dug up his past history, Beverly
You are so keen about him."
"He positively refuses to let me dig
explained Beverly. II tried, you know
but he-he-well. he squelched me-"
"Wcll, after all is said and done he
caught us peeping today, and l an
filed with shame" said the princess
ut doesn't matter who he is, he mus
certainly have most unf1attering opin
ion as to what we are"
"And he is sure to know us sooner
or later" said the young countess, mo
! mentarily serious.
. ooh, if it ever comes to that I shall
be in a splendid position to explain Il
, all to him." said Beverly Don't yor
I see, III have to do lot Of explaining
myself"
o Baron Dangloss!" announced thu
1 guard Of the upper hall, throwing oper
the door for the doughty little chief OF
police.
!, "Your highness sent for me?" asked
: he, advancing after the formal saluta
+. ton. The princess exhibited genuine
3 amazement.
Il did, Baron Dangloss, but 70,
= must have come with the wings Of al
eagle. 1t is really not more than thre
q minutes since l gave the order to Colo
u mel QuinnoX." The baron smiled mys
terloHsly, but volunteered no solution
; The truth is, he was entering the cas-
tie doors as the messenger left them
but he was much too fond Of effect t
spoil a good situation by explanations
: 1t was long two miles to his office II
the Tower. Something has just har
pened that impels me to ask fey
questions concerning Baldos, the ney
: guard"
May I first ask what has happier
edf" Dangloss was at loss for tn
l meaning of the general smile tho
> went around.
1T IS quite personal and Of no cor
, sequence. What do you know OF him
= My curiosity is aroused. Now, b
e quiet, Beverly. You are as eager I
i, know as the rest Of u.s."
: "Well, your hlghness. may as we
r confess that the man is n nmz2le TO mi
He comes here vagabond, but he Gel
toinlx, Innc pOt oCf like ono He admit