The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-04-03
CHAPTER XXI.
@1HE Duke of Matz and his asso-
| ciates reached Edelweiss in the
! afternoon. Their attendants

2~1HE Duke of Matz and his asso-
ciates reached Edelweiss in the
I afternoon. Their attendants
and servants carried luggage
bearing the princely crest Of DAVIS
bergen and meant for Prince Dantan
and his sister Candace. IN the part of
the castle set apart for the visitors az
important consultation was held be
mao closed ooors. There Dantan met
his countrynaen and permitted them to
renew the pledge Of fealty that had
been shattered by the overpowering
influence of his mad half brother.
What took place at this secret meet
ing the outside world never knew.
Only the happy result was made
known. Prince Dantan was to resume
his reign over Dawsbergen as If 1t
never had been interrupted.
The castle, brilliant from bottom to
TOP filed with music and laughter.
experienced a riot Of happiness such
as II had not known in years. The
war clouds had lifted, the sunshine OF
coutentment was breaking through the
darkness, and there was rejoicing IN
the hearts Of all. Bright and glorious
were the cosors that made up the har-
rnony of peace. Men and women Of
high degree came to the historic old
walls garbed in the riches Of royalty
and nobility. To Beverly Calhoun it
was the most enchanting sight she had
ever looked upon. From the galleries
she gazed down into the halls glitter
ing with the wealth of Graustark and
was conscious Of strange feeling OF
glorifcation. She felt that she had a
part in this jubilee. With Candace she
descended the grand staircase and
mingled with the resplendent crowd.
She was the center Of attraction.
Dressed In simple, close fitting gown
OF black velvet, without an ornament
her white arms and shoulders cleaning
in the soft light from the chandeliers,
she was an entcing creature to be ad-
mired by men and women alike. Two
stalwart Americans felt their hearts
bound with pride as they saw the con-
quest their counrywoman was max
ing. Candace, her constant companion
In these days, was consumed with de
light
-eeYou are the pretuest thing in all
this world" she ecstatcally whispered
Z into Beverly's ear. My brother says
SO, too,'' she added conclusively. Bev-
erly was too true woman not to revel
: In this subtle fattery.
The great banquet hall was to be
thrown open at midnight. There were
dancing and song during the hours
leading up to this important event
Beverly was entranced. She had seen
brilliant affairs at home, but none OF
them compared to this in regal splen-
dor. It was the sensuous, oyerpower-
ing splendor Of the cast.
y Prince Dantan joined the throng just
before midnight. He made his way di-
rect to the little circle Of which Bev-
erly and Candace formed the center.
His rich, full military costume gave
him new distinction that quite over
came Beverly. They fell into an ami
mated conversation, exchanging shafts
of wit that greatly amused those who
could understand the language.
ssyou must remember" Beverly said
In reply to one of Rayone's sallies,
tsthat Americans are not in the least
awed by Europe's greatness. 1t has
come to the pass when we call Europe
our playground. We now go to Eu-
rope as we go to the circus or the
county fair at home. It isn't much
more trouble, you know, and we must
see the sights
ssAlas, poor Europew he laughed. AZ
ne stroiled about with her and Can
dace he pointed out certain men to her,
asking her to tax her memory n the
effort to recall their faces if not their
apparel. She readily recognized in the
lean, tired faces the men she had met
6rst at the Inn Of the Hawk and Ra-
ven.
.aThey were yagabonds then. Miss
Calhoun. Now they are noblemen.
Does the transition startle your
'sIsn't Baldos among them?' she ask
ed, voicing the query that had been
uppermost in her mind since the 80
ment when she looked down from the
galleries and failed to see him. Shs
was wondering how he would appear
I'm eof,rf ~oefn,na
sfYou forget that BaIdos is onty a
guard" he said kindly.
'eHe is a ceurtier nevertheless, she
retoYted.
She was vaguely disappointed be-
cause he was missing from the scene
Of splendor. It proved to her That
caste overcame all else in the rock
ribbed east The common man, no
matter how valiant, had no place IA
such affairs as these. Her pride was
suffering. She was as a queen among
the noblest Of the realm. AS the wife
OF Baldos she would live In another
world-on the outskirts of this one OF