Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-12-14

"HI AY all storms be as pleasant
IM as this ,one!' Beverly heard
some one say with merry
@ laugh. The next instant she
was placed soundly upon her feet. A
binding fash of lightning revealed Bal
tos. the goat hunter, at her side, while
. dozen shadowy figures were scram-
bling to their feet in all corners of the
Hawk and Raven. Some one was
clutchlng her by the dress at the knees.
She did not have to look down to know
that 1t was Aunt Fanny.
Goodness" gasped Beverly, and
then 1t was pitch dark again. The man
at her side called out a command in his
own language and then turned his face
close to hers.
do not be alarmed. We are quite
safe now. The royal bedchamber has
come to grief. however. am sorry to
say. What a fool I was not to have
foreseen all this. The storm has been
brewing since midnight" he was say
Ing to her.
isn't It awfulT cried Beverly be-
tween moan and shrek.
"They are trifles after one gets used
to them" he said. II have come to be
quite at home In the tempest. There
are other things much more annoying,
assure your highness. We shall have
lights in a moment" Even as he spoke
two or three lanterns began to flicker
feebly.
BE quiet. Aunt Fanny, you are not
killed at all" commanded Beverly
quite firmly.
DE house is suah to blow down,
Miss-yo' highness." groaned the trusty
maidservant. Beverly laughed bravely
but nervously with the tall goat hunter.
He at once set about making his guest
comfortable and secure from the ef-
fects Of the tempest. which was now at
Its height. Her couch of cushions was
dragged far back into the cavern and
the rescued blankets. though drenched.
again became Il screen.
'Do you imagine that I'm going in
there while this storm rages?" Beverly
demanded as the work progressed.
Are you not afraid of lightning?
Most young women are"
That's the trouble. am afraid of
It, I'd much rather stay out here where
there is company. You don't mind. do
you|
paradise cannot be spurned by one
who now feels its warmth for the first
time" he said gallantly Your fear is
MY delight, Fray sit upon our throne
II was once Il huml . carriage pail of
leather. bus now It Is exalted. BESIDES.
It is much more comfortable than some
Of the gl!ded chairs we hear about"
You are given to irony, | fear" she
said, Observing peculiar smile on his
lips.
y crave pardon, your hismess," he
said humhly. "Thc heart of the goat
hunter is more gentle than his wit.
shall not again forge, that You are
princess ANA the veriest beggar."
II didn't mean To hurt YOU" she
cried IN CONSERVATION. for she was
very poor example of what princess
is supposed TO be
There is no wound, your hlghness."
he quickly said With mockng grace
that almost angescl her he dropped TO
his knee and motoued for her 70 be
seated. She sat down suddenly. elan.
ping her hands to her ears ana shut.
ting her eyes tightly. The crash OF
thunder that came AZ that instant was
the most fearful of all and il was
full minute before she dared TO lift her
lids again. He was standing before
her, and there was genuine compassion
IN his face. Its terrible" he said.
"Never before have seen such
storm. Have courage. your hlchness.
Ii can last but little longer"
Goodness said the real American
girl, for want Of something more ex
pressive.
Your servant has crept into your
couch, fear. Shall sit here at your
feet? Perhaps you may feel small
sense of security ii r.
Indeed. | want you to sit there"
she cried. He forthwith threw him.
seu upon the floor OF the cave, n
graceful respectful guardian. Minutes
went by without a word from either
The noise OF the storm made 1t I'M.
possible TO speak and be heard. Scat
tered about the cavern were his ont
stretched followers doubtless asleep
oAce more DO all thIs turmoil. With
the nrSt lull Ia the war OF the ele
menIs BayerE e,ye uiterguee To tho