The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-08-17

es.' he said gently. "I have known
all along that you were not Mr.. Lorrv,s
WIFE, He had OWNED her Thought
ana she flushed hotly. you are still
princess. however. A poor goat hunter
can only look upon the rich American
girl as sovereign whom he must wor-
ship from far below"
oh. I'm not so rich as all thatw she
cried. Besides, think It Ia time for
general clearing up Of mysteries.
Are you Prince Dantan. Prince Fred
eric or that other one Christcbal some
body? Come. be fair with me-"
1t seems that all Edelweiss looks
upon me as prince In disguise. You
found me In the hillo"-
mo; you found me. have not for
gotten. sir"
was vagabond and a fugitive.
MY friends are hunted as I am. We
nave no home. Why every one should
suspect me Of being a prince I cannot
understand. Every roamer in the hills
Is not prince. There is a price upon
my head, and there Is a reward for Tho
capture Of every man who was with
me In the pass. My name Is Paul Bal
dos. Miss Calhoun. There - 20 mys.
terry In that. II you were to mention
1t IN a certain city. you would Quickly
nnd that the name Of Baldos ia not
unknown to the people who are search
Ing for him. No. your highness: I re-
gret exceedingly that I must DESTROY
the absurd impression that am of
royal blood. Perhaps 1 am spelling a
pretty romance, but 1t cannot be help
ed. l was Baldos the goat hunter: I
am now Baldos the guard Do you
think that 1 would be serving as a
Graustark guard If I were any one Of
the men you mention?"
Beverly listened in wonder and some
disappointment, it must be confessed.
Somehow spark of hope was being
forever extinguished by this straight
forward denial. He was not to be the
prince she had seen In dreams. "You
are not like any one else" she said
THAT is why we thought Of you as
as-as"-
AS one Of those unhappy creatures
they call princes? Thank fortune, your
highness, am not yet reduced to such
straits. My exile will come only when
you send me away"
They We're silent for long time.
Neither was thinking Of the hour or
the fact that her absence in the castle |
could not be unnoticcd Night had
fallen heavily upon the earth. The |
two faithful chair bearers, respectful. |
but with wonder in their souls, stood |
afar off and waited. Baldos and Bcv- |
erly were alone in their own little |
world.
II think I liked you bettn when you |
wore the red feather and that horrid |
patch of black" she said musingly
"And was a free hearted vagabond."
he b added, something imploring in his
"Do YOU want me to go pack " CAV
hills? have the patch ana the ie"'nei'
and my friends are
"No! Don't suggest such thhe-
vet" She began the protest eagerly
and ended 1t in confusion.
"Alas, YOU mean that some day oah-
,shment is not unlikely?'
lyon don't expect to be guard Al
your life, do your"
"Not to serve the Princess OF Grau-
stark. I confess. My aim s much hien
o- II God lets me choose the crown l
uor,d serve I would enlist for ife. Iho
CROWN would serve Is wrought VI
-. tho throne I would kneel before ID
heart the scepter l would 1oiio" Is
In tho slender hand Of a woman.
.,,,,a live and die tn the service OF my
own choosing, bit l am only 'he n
. ble goat hunter, whose hopes are pm -.
. toms. whose Ideals are conceaVeo III I'LL
.,rhat was beautiful" murmure'
:, Beverly, looking up. fascinated for tn
y, moment. ,,s+
~ "Oh, that had the courage 10 ems. 81,
70 lo crted bending low once more. si
ra,t the danger In his voice. hali treni
30 Ions with something more than ioyait
ILL., o,d drew her band away from pia
nc of instant jeopardy. 1t was hfe ~
lio sbe WAS playing with, she realized WI
w a s+art Of consciousness. Sweet as
IL sne,, had grown to be she saw that
''0 must be shattered.
ut is getting frightfuliy iate,
an sharply exclaimed. "Iheyn "on
where I've gone to. Why, 1ts ac'"'
darkr =,
rye vour b,ehness," said he, drawing ID
8. l se,f up with sudden rigidness that
the tressed her. "Are you going TO rel
lven =. ~. costler'
ect." "yes They'll have out searcl
'e to party pretty soon II don't appear; ,
rati- "Vor have been good to me tod
he said thoughtfully. u snail u
safe- merit the kindness. Let me-
pub "oh n,ease don't talk in that hu
way, It's ridiculous! Ia rathe, as
Won absolutely impertinent, oe
N tho x~. xyould Don't YC