Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-01-11

started IOWdTu lnC NOSAs
old and wouldn't harm a ny. Please
please don't hurt her"
compose yourself; she Is safe'
sald the leader. BY this time It was
ouite dark. At word from him two
or three men lighted lanterns Inc
n,c+ure was more weird than ever IN
tbe atful glow. "May l ask, your high
ness, how do you intend to reach Edel-
weiss in your present condition. You
cannot manage those horses and, De-
sides. YOU do not know the way"
"Aren't you going to rob usr de-
manded Beverly hope springing TO the
surface with a joyful bound. Inc
stranger laughed heartily and shook
his head. o.,
"Do we not look like honest menr
he cried. with a wave Of his hand To-
ward his companions. Beverly iooKeu
dubious. 1--WE live the good, clean life
of the wilderness. outdoor life Is nee
assary for our health. We could not
live In the CITY," he went on, with grim
bumor. For the first time Beverly no
4iced that he wore huge black patcn
over his left eye, held in place py a
cord He appeared more formidable
+ban ever under the light of critical In
spection.
~ am very much relieved" said BeV-
erly. who was not at all relieved but
whv have you stopped us In this man
nerT
"Stopped youY' cried the man with
the patch. II implore you to unsay
that vour highness. Your coach was
unite at a standstill before we knew OF
its presence. You do us grave IN
justice"
"Its very strange" muttered BeVer
ly. somewhat taken aback.
"Have you observed that 1t is quite
dark? 2" asked the leader, putting away
his brief show Of Indignation.
"Dear me; so 1t Isl" cried she, nov
able to think more clearly.
"And you are miles from an inn OF
house of any kind" he went on. "D'
YOU expect to stay here all nightF
'Pm-Pm not afraid" bravely shiv
cred Beverly.
"It is most dangerous"
81 have revolver" the weak lttl'
voice went on.
"Oho! What Is it forP
"To use in case of emergency"
"Such as repelling brigands who SUD
denly appear upon the sceneT
"Yes."
"May l ask why you did not use
this EVENING"
"Because it is locked up in one OF m
bags-I don't know just which one
and Aunt Fanny has the key" confess
ed Beverly.
The chief of the "honest men" laugl
ed again. clear, ringing laugh that b.
spoke supreme confidence in his rlgi
to enjoy himself.
"And who is Aunt Fanny?' he aske'
covering his patch carefully with Ii
slouching hat.
"My servant. She's colored."
"ColoredY, he asked in amazemer
"What do you mean"
"Why, she's q negress. Don't "
know what a colored person isT
"You mean she Is slave-a bla'
slavep
1--WE don't own slaves any mo-
more" He looked more puzzled Uni
ever-then at last, to satisfy himse
walked over and peered into the coaC
Aunt Fanny set up a dismal howl. 4
instant later Sir Honesty was push
aside, and Miss Calhoun was anxious
irving to comfort her old frie
through the window. The man look
ON in silent wonder for a minute a
then strobe off to where group OF
men stood talking.
rs yo' daid ylt, Miss Bey'ly-is
end cameP moaned Aunt Fanny. 81
erly could not repress a smile.
81 am quite alive, auntie. These n
will not hurt us. They are very
gentlemen" She uttered the last
servation In a loud voice, and 1t
it's effect, for the leader came to
side with long strides.
convince your servant that We me
no harm, your hlghness," he said eae
ly, new Difference in his voice
manner "We have only the best
motives In mind True, the hills
full of lawless fellows, and we
obliged to fight them almost daily,
YOU have fallen In with honest me
very nice gentlemen, l trust. Less Il
an hour ago we put band of robt
TO flight
II heard the shooting" cried Be-
ly. ut was that which put my es'
to flight"
"They could not have been sold
Of Graustark, then, your highne
quite gallantly.
'.They were Cossacks, or whate
you call them. But, pray, why do
call me your highnessr" deman
Beverly. The tall leader swept
ground with his hat once more.
IAN the outside world knows
Princess Yetlve-why not the hun
mountain man? You will pardon
but every man in the hills knows
YOU are to pass through on the
from St Petersburg to GanlOOk.
are not so far from the world, q
all. we rough people of the hills.
know that your highness left st.
- annw~ m Il