Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-02-15

studied the race OI lne SicSlihS 5HA
whose dark brown head was pillowed
against the corner cushions OF the
coach. Her hat had been removed for
the sake of comfort. The dark lashes
fell like soft curtain over her eyes,
obscuring the merry gray that had
overcome his apprehensiOns. Her
breathing was deep and regular and
peaceful. One little glOved hand rest
ed carelessly in her lap the other upon
her breast near the delicate throat.
The heart of Ba,dos was troubled.
The picture he looked upon was en-
trancing, uplifting; he rose from the
loWly state In which she had found
him to the position Of admlrer in Sc
cret to q princess, real or assumed. He
found himself again wondering If she
were really Yetive, and with that fear
in his heart he was envying Grenfal
Lorry, the lord and master Of this ex'
Ouisite creature, enyying with all the
helplessness of one whose hope is blast
ed at birth.
The note which had been surrepti-
tiously passed to him In GanlOok lay
crumpIed and forgotten inside his coat
pocket, where he had dropped it the
moment It had come into his posses
sion, supposing that the message con-
tanned information which had been for
gotten by Franz and was by no means
Of q nature to demand immediate at
tentiOn. Had he read it at once his
suspicious would have been confirmed,
and it is barely possible that he would
have refused to enter the city,
Late in the afternoon the walls OF
Edelweiss were sighted. For the first
time he looked upon the distant house
tops of the principal city of Graustark.
Up in the clouds, on the summit of the
mountain peak overlooking the city,
stood the famed monastery OF st. Val
entlne. Stretching up the gradual In
cline were the homes of citizens, access
ibIe only by footpaths and donkey
roads. Beverly was awake and impa-
tient to reach the journeys end. He
had proved a most disappointing COM
panion, polite but with a battling in
difference that lrritated her considera-
bly,. There was set expression of de-
fance in his strong, clean cut face. the
look Of a soldier advancing to meet
powerful foe.
II do hope he'll not always act this
way" she was complaining in her
thoughts "IIe was SO charmingly i'm
pudent oct in the hills. SO deliciOusly
10 Z, tl,.ao a n1nOn Xnffun
vii think am such fool if he doesn't
live up to the reputation, I've given
him."
Here are the gates" he said, half to
himself what is there in store for
me beyond those wallsY'
"Oh. wish you wouldn't be so dis
malp' she cried in despair. 1T seems
just like funeral"
"A thousand apologies, your high
ness" he murmured, with a sudden
lightness of speech aud manner.
"Henceforth l shall be most amiable
Jester to please you"
Beverly and the faithful Aunt Fanny
were driven to the castle, where the
former bade farewell to her new knight
until the following morning, when he
was to appear before her for personal
instructions. Colonel Quinnox escorted
Aim to the barracks of the guard, where
he was to share a room with young
Haddan, a corporal in the service.
''The wild, untamed gentleman from
the hills came without a word, | see,
said Lorry, who had watched the ap
proach. He and Yetive stood in thu
window overlooking the grounds from
the princess boudoir. Beverly had jus
entered and thrown herself upon I
divan.
Eyes; he's here" she said shortly.
slow long do you, with all you
cleverness, expect to hOodwink hin
intO the belief that you are the prin
cessS' asked Yetive, amused, but anx
ious.
Hes great fool for being hood
winked at ALL" said Beverly, yer,
much at odds with her protege. al
an hour from now he will know tn
truth and will be bowling like mad
man for his freedom"
"NOt so soon as that, Beverly" sal
I.orry eonsolingIy. The guards an
officers have their Instructions to kee
him In the dark as long as possible"
"Well, I'm tired and mad and hur
cry and everything else that isn't con
patible Let's talk about the war,
said Beverly, the sunshine in her fac
momentarily ecllpsed by the dar
cloud Of disappointment
Baldos was notified that duty wOul
be assigned to him in the morning
He went through the formalities whic
bound him to the service for 81
months, listening indlfferently to th
words that fOretold the fate Of
traitor. 1t was not until his new IN
form and equipment came into hi
possession that he remembered th
note resting in his pocket He drew
out and began to read 1t with tn
slight interest Of one who has Rntic
pated the effect. But not for long wa
he TO remain apathetic. The first fey
lines brought look Of understandin
TO bis eyes; then he laughed the cas-
laugh Of one who has cast care an