Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-01-04

Of interest in my welfare. Your visit Is
the brightest experience of my life"
BE seatedp she cried suddenly.
You are too iii to stand"
Were dying / should refuse to be
seated while your highness stands"
said he simply His shoulders seemed
to square themselves involuntarily, and
his left hand twitched as though ac-
custoned to the habit Of touching a
sword hilt. Beverly sat down instant
ly. With his usual easy grace he took
chair near by. They were alone in
the antechamber.
Even though you were on your last
legs?" she murmured, and then wonder
| ed how she could have uttered any
thing so inane. Somehow she was be-
ginning to fear that he was not the or
dinary person she had judged him to
be. You are TO be discharged from
| the hospital tomorrow she added
hastily.
Tomorrow? he cried, his eyes light
ing with joy. Il may go then?'
Il have decided to take you to Edel-
weiss with me- she said very much as
If that We're all there was to it. He
stared at her for a full minute as
though doubling his ears.
"No!" he said at last, his jaws set
ting, his eyes glistening. 1t was
terrible setback for Beverly's conf
dence. Your hlghness forgets that |
af hcA Al,ttn
dom"
But you are to be free,' she protest
ed. "You have nothing to fear. 1t is
not compulsory, you know. You don't
have to go unless you really want to.
But my heart is set on having you in
In the castle guard" His bitter mock
ing laugh surprised and wounded her,
which he was quick to see, for his
contrition was immediate.
Pardon. your highness. l am a
rude, ungrateful wretch, and deserve
punishment instead of reward. The
proposal was so astounding that l for
got myself completely" he said.
Whereupon, catching him in this con-
trite mood, she began determined as
sault, against his resolution. For an
hour she devoted her whole heart and
soul to the task Of overcoming his
prejudices, fears and objections, meet
Ing his protestations firmly and logic
ally, unconscious of the fact that her
very enthusiasm was betraying her to
him. The first signs Of weakening in
splred her afresh and at last she was
riding over him roughshod, happy
victor. She made promises that Yetive
herself could not have made; she offer
ed inducements that never could be
carried out, although In her zeal she
did not know 1t to be so she painted
such pictures of ease, comfort and
pleasure that he wondered why royal
ty did not exchange places with its
servants. In the end, overcome by the
spirit of adventure and desire to be
near her, he agreed to enter the service
for six months, at the expiration Of
which time he was to be released from
all obligations If he so desired.
"But my friends In the pass, your
highness," he said In surrendering,
"what Is to become OF them? They are
waiting for me out there in the wilder
ness. am not base enough to desert
them"
Cant you get word to them" she
asked eagerly. Let them come into
the city too. We will provide for the
poor fellows, believe me-"
t,
highness,' he said, shaking his head
sadly. you will have to slay them
before you can bring them within the
city gates My only hope is that Franz
may be here tonight He has permis-
sion to enter. and am expecting him
today or tomorrow"
you can send word to them that
you are sound and safe, and you can
tell them that Graustark soldiers shall
be instructed to pay no attention to
them whatever. They shall not be dis
turbed." He laughed outright at her
enthusiasm. Many times during her
eager conversation with Baldos she
had almost betrayed the fact that she
was not the princess. Some of her
expressions were distinctly unregal,
and some of her slips were hopeless
as she viewed them in retrospect.
what am 1? Only the humble goat
hunter, hunted to death and eager for
short respite. Do with me as you
like, your highness. You shall be my
princess and sovereign for six months
at least" he said. signing, Perhaps it
is for the best"
You are the strangest man I've ever
SEEM she remarked, puzzled beyond
expression.
That night Franz appeared at the
hospital and was left alone with Bal
dos for an hour or more. What passed
between them no outsider knew,
though there were tears in the eyes OF
both at the parting. But Franz did not
start for the pass that night. as they
had expected. Strange news had come
to the ears Of the faithful old follower.
and he hung about Ganlook until
morning came, eager to catch the ear
Of his leader before 1t was too late.
The coach was drawn up In front Of