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

and led them off toward the river. Two
tashing young fellows carried the seat
cushions under the rocky canopy and
constructed an elaborate couch for the
princess" The chief. with his own
hands, soon began the construction Of
small chamber in this particular cor
ner of the cave near the opening. The
walls of the chamber were formed Of
: carriage robes and blankets, cloaks and
oak branches.
''rhe guest chamber. your highness,"
i he said, approaching her with a smile
( 1T the conclusion of his work.
/ 1T has been most interesting to
watch YOU" she said. rising
"And It has been a delight to inter
est you" he responded. You will find
seclusion there, and you need see none
of us until it pleases you"
She looked him fairly in the eye for
moment and then impulsively extended
her hand. He clasped it warmly, but
not without some show of surprise.
II am trusting you implicitly" she
said.
! THE knave is glorified." was his
simple rejoinder. He conducted her
to the improvised bedchamber, Aunt
Fanny following with loyal but un-
certain tread. Il regret, your high
ness, that the conveniences are so few.
We have no landlady except Mother
Earth, no walters, no porters, no maids,
In the Inn of the Hawk and Raven.
This being a mems hotel, the baths are
on the river front. am having water
brought to your apartments, however,
but II Is with deepest shame and sOr-
row that confess we have no towels"
She laughed so heartily that his face
frightened perceptibly, while the faces
of his men turned in their direction as
though by concert.
ut is a typical mountain resort.
then" she said. 81 think / can man.
age very well II you will fetch my
bags to my room, SIR"
by the way, will you have dinner
served in your roomT very good hu-
moredly.
IF you don't mind, I'd like to eat In
the public dining ROOM" said she. A
few minutes later Beverly was sitting
upon one of her small trunks, and Aunt
Fanny was laboriously brushing her
dark hair.
'It's very jolly being a princess"
murmured Miss Calhoun. She had
bathed her face In one of the leather
buckets from the coach, and the dust
of the road had been brushed away by
the vigorous lady in waiting.
"Yaas, ma'am, Miss-yo' highness, |
hits monstrous fine TO yo, but whar |
is All goin' to sleep? Out yondah wifi |
all dose scalawags?" said Aunt Fanny |
rebelliously.
you shall have a bed in here, Aunt |
Fanny" said Beverly.
"Dey's de queeres' lot o. tramps All /
even did see, an All wouldn' trust 'em
as fer as All could heave a brick
house"
But the leader is such very courte-
Gus gentleman" demonstrated Beverly. |
"Yaas, ma am; he mussa came FIN
Gawgia or Kaintuck," was Aunt Fan
ny's sincere compliment.
The pseudo princess dined with the
vagabonds that night. She sat on the
log beside the tall leader and ate
heartily of the broth and broiled goat 4
meat, the grapes and the nuts, and Il
drank of the spring water, which took
the place of wine and coffee and cor
dial. 1t was strange supper amid
environments, but she enjoyed
1t as she had never before enjoyed
and danger, and her Imagination was
Everything was so new
and unreal that she scarcely could be-
lieve herself awake. The world SEEM
ed to have gone back to the days OF
Robin Hood and his merry men.
you fare well at the Inn of the
Hawk and Raven" she said to him.
her voice tremu!ous with excitement
He looked mournfully at her for
moment and then smiled naively.
at is the first wholesome meal we
have had in two days." he replied.
you don't mean it,
Eyes. We were lucky with the guns
today. Fate was kind to us-and to
you, for we are better prepared to en-
certain royalty today than at any time
since have been in the hills Of Grau-
stark"
"Then you have not always lived in
,
"Alas, no, your highness. 1 have
lived elsewhere"
But you were born in the princi-
,alityT'
81 am a subject of its princess in
leart from this day forth, but not by 1
birth or condition. l am native of I
he vast domain known to few of l
is as Circumstance" and he smiled {
ather recklessly.
''You are a poet delicious poet," {
ried Beverly, forgetting herself In her 1
I
Perhaps that is why / am hungry
nd unshorn. 1t had not occurred to I
ne in that light. When you are ready c
o retire, your highness," he said, |
bruptly rising, I'VE shall be pleased T
0 consider the Inn of the Hawk and r