Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-02-22
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land whatf" interJecleu Beverly
who could not wait
'The description fits our friend Bal.
dos perfectlyr
"You don't mean it?" exclaimed Lor-
ry. "Then he may be any one of the
three you have mentioned?"
LET me tell you what the grand
dukes secretary says. have the Of
fetal notice, but left 1t in my desk.
The runaway son Of the grand duke is
called Christobal, He is twenty-seven
years of age, speaks English fuently
besides French and our own language.
It seems that he attended an English
college with Prince Dantan and some
Of our own young men who are still in
England. Six weeks ago he disappear
ed from his fathers home. At the
same time a dozen wild and venturOus
retainers left the grand duchy. The
party was seen in Vienna week later,
and the young duke boldly announced
that he was off to the east to help his
friend Dantan In the fight for bis
throne. Going on the theory that Bal
dos is this same Christobal we have
only to provide reason for his pre-
ferring the wilds to the comforts OF
our cities. In the first place, he knows
there Is a large reward for his appre-
hension and he fears our police. In the
second place, he does not care to direct
the attention Of Prince Dantan's foes
to himself. He missed Dantan in the
hills and doubtless was lost for weeks,
but the true reason for his flight Is
made plain in the story that was print
ed recently In Paris and Berlin news
papers. According to them, Christobal
rebelled against his fathers right to
select wife for him. The grand duke
had chosen a noble and wealthy bride,
and the son had selected a beautiful |
girl from the lower walks Of life. Fa-
ther and son quarreled and neither
would give an inch. ChristObal would
not marry his fathers choice and the
grand duke would not sanction his
union with the fair plebeian."
Here Beverly exclaimed proudly:
"He doesn't look like the sort of man
who could be bullied into marrying
anybody if he didn't want to-"
"And he strikes me as the sort who
would marry any one he set his heart
upon having" added the princess, with
a taunting glance at Miss Calhoun.
"Umphw shifted Beverly dehantly. |
The baron went ON with his narrative,
exhibiting signs Of excitement.
ITO lend color to the matter, Christie
bars sweetheart, the daughter Of a
game warden, was murdered the night |
before her lover fed. l know nothing
of the circumstances attending the
crime, but 1t Is my understanding that
ChristObal is not suspected. 1t is pos
slble that he is ignorant even now of
the girls fate"
swell, by the gods, we have good
ly lot of heroes about usv' exclaimed
Lorry.
"But, after all" ventured the Count
ess HalfOnt, "Baldos may be none of
these men,"
Good heavens, Aunt Yvonne, don't
suggest anything SO distressing" said
Yetive. HE must be one of Them"
II suggest speedy way of deter
mining the matter" said Anguish.
"Let us send for Baldos and ask him
point blank who he is. think it is
up to him to clear away the mystery"
"Now cried Beverly, starting to her
feet.
ut seems to be the only way" said
Lorry.
"But l promised him that no ques-
tlOns should be asked" said Beverly,
almost tearfully, but quite resOlutely.
Didn't l, Yet-your hlghness"
"Alas, yesP' said the princess, with
pathetic smile Of resignation, but with
loyalty In the clasp of her hand,