Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-01-11
By
GEORGE BARR
MCUTCHEON,
A...hn. Of "Grn,lniArk"
4A-sAA~t VI
~
Copyright. 1904. BY DOdd.
Mead and COmpany

Beverly listened with increasing pei.
nlexIty. 1t was true that she had lett
ST Petersburg on Sunday; that the un-
precedented floods had stopped all raii-
wav traffic In the hills, compelling her
to travel for many miles by stage, ana
that the whole country was confusing
her in some strange way with the rim
cess Yetive. The news had evidently
sped through Axphain and the NILS
with the swlftness Of fire. 1t would De
useless to deny the story; these men
would not believe her. In a flash she
decided that it would be best to pose
for the time being as the ruler Oh
Graustark. 1t remained only FOR her
to impress upon Aunt Fanny the I'M
portance of this resolution.
what wise old hills they must De-
she said, with eyasive enthusiasm.
"You cannot expect me to admit, now
ever, that am the princess" she Went
on.
"It would not be just to your excel
lent reputation for tact If you did So
vonr bighness," calmly spoke the man.
at is quite as easy to say that you are
not the princess as to say that you are
SO what matters, after all? We re-
serve the right, however, to do nom
age TO the queen who rules over these
wise old hills. | offer you the humble
services of myself and my compan'
ions We are yours to command"
81 am very grateful to find that you
are not brigands, believe me" salo
Beverly. "Pray tell me who you are
then. and you shall be sufficiently re
warded for your good intentions"
81? Oh, your highness, | am Baldos
the goat hunter, poor subject for re
ward at your hands. may as well ad
NIT that | am poacher and have M
legal right to the prosperity of you
hills. The only reward l can ask Is Tor
gjyeness for trespassing upon the prop
erty of others"
"You shall receive pardon for al
transgressions, but you must get me [
some place of safety" said Beverly ca
gerly.
"And quickly, too, you might we
have added" he said lightly. I'm
horses have rested, think, so VIII
vour permission we may proceed.
know of place where you may spen
the night comfortably and be refreshe
for the rough journey tomorrow"
Tomorrow? How can l go onE
am alonew she cried despairingly.
"Permit me to remind you that yc
are no longer alone. You have ra
ged following, your highness, but
shall be a loyal one Will you re-ent
the coach? 1t is not far to the place
? sneak of, and / myself will drive "
there. Come, 1t is getting late, an
your retinue, at least, is hungry"
He flung open the coach door, and d
hat swept the ground once more. III
:. light of a lantern played ttfully upC
his dark, gaunt face, with its gallal
smile and Ominous patch. She hesita
= ed, fear entering her soul once NOR
lS He looked up quickly and saw the ind
cfsion In her eyes, the mute appeal.
"Trust me, your highness," he sa
'' gravely, and she allowed him to hal
:, her into the coach.
A moment later he was upon I
=. drivers box, reins in hand. Calling o
TO his companions in langua
strange to Beverly, he cracked t
: whip, and once more they were lul
- - bering over the wretched road. Bev'
- - ly sank back into the seat with de
sigh of resignation.
- =. "Well, I'm in for it" she thoug
- ut doesn't matter whether they q
~ thieves or angels, reckon I'll have
~ ~ take what comes. He doesn't look We
- much like an angel, but he looked
=. ~ me Just now as if he thought l we
~ one. Dear me, wish We're back
Washin'tonP'