The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-09-14

nc 0TOppoO 70 HtS bHCc.
sourcefulness to secure his promise
to start with her for Edelweiss on the
following morning. The coach deliv-
cred her at the hospital door in grand
style. When the visitor was ushered
into the snug little anteroom of the
governors Office her heart was throb-
bling and her composure was under
going a most unusual strain. 1t an
noyed her to discover that the APP
proa ching contact with humble goat
hunter was giving her such unmistak-
able symptoms of perturbation.
From an upstairs window in the hos
! pital the convalescent but unhappy pa
tient witnessed her approach and ar
rival. His sore, lonely heart gave a
bound of Joy, for the days had seemed
long since her departure.
he had had time to think during
these days too. Turning over In his
| mind all of the details in connection
with their meeting and their subse-
Quent intercourse, 1t began to dawn
upon him that she might not &c what
she assumed to be. Doubts assailed
him, suspicious grew into amazing
forms Of certainty There were times
when he laughed sardonically at him
self for being taken in by this strange
but charming young woman, but
through 1t all his heart and mind were
being drawn more and more fervently
| toward her. More than once he called
himself fool and more than once be
dreamed foolish dreams of her, prin-
cess or not. OF one thing he was sure
he had come to love the adventure
for the sake of what 1t promised, and
there was no bitterness beneath his
suspicious.
Arrayed In clean linen and presenta-
BILE clothes, pale from indoor confine-
ment and fever, but once more the
straight and stroIg cavalier OF the
hills, he FASTENED into her presence
when the summons came for him to
descend. He dropped to his knee and
i kissed her hand, determined to play
the game Notwithstanding his doubts.
AS he arose she glanced for a fitting
second into his dark eyes, and her own
long lashes dropped.
"Your highness!' he said gratefully.
How well and strong you look!' she
said hurriedly. Some of the tan is
gone, but you look az though you had
! never been III. Are you quite recov-
eredT
"They say am as good as new" he
smilingiy answered. "a trifie weak
and uncertain in my lower extremities,
but few days of exercise in the noun
tains will overcome all that. Is all well
| with you and Graustark? They will
give me no news here, by whose order
I do not know"
Turn about is fair play, sir. 1t is a
/ well established fact that you will give
them no news. Yes, all is well with
me and mine. Were you beginning to
think that / had deserted you? 1t has
been two weeks, hasn't it2"
/ "Ah, your highness, realize that you
have had much more important things
to do than to think of poor Baldos. |
am exceedingly grateful for this Sign
Of interest in my welfare. Your visit is
the brightest experience of my life"
BE seatedr' she cried suddenly.
you are too III to stand"
"Were dying should refuse to be
seated while your highness stands, =
said he simply His shoulders seemed
to square themselves involuntarilys and
his left hand twitched as though &C
customed to the habit of touching a
sword hilt. Beverly sat down instant
{ ". With his usual easy grace he took
a chair near By. They were alone in
the antechamber.
! Even though you were on your last
legsY she murmnred, and then wonder
ed how she could have uttered any
thing so inane. Somehow she was be
ginning to fear that he was not the or
binary person she had judged him to
be- You are to be discharged from
the hospital tomorrow" she added
hastily.
Tomorrow he cried, his eyes light
ing with joy. 81 may go thenY
II have decided to take you to Edel-
weiss with me-" she said, very much as
IL that were all there was to It BE
stared at her for full minute as
though doubling his ears.
'Nov' he said at last, his jaws set.
ting. his eyes glistenins. 1t was a
terrible setback for Beverly's conf.
dence "Your highness forgets that
have your promise Of absolute free.
DOM"
But you are to be Free" she protest
4. e. - q.
not compulsory, you know. You dom
have to go unless you really want to
But my heart is set on having you in
In the castle guard" His bitter, mock
ing laugh surprised and wounded her
which he was quick to see, for his
contrition was immediate.