The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-06
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ply was sneechless.

N 1EvERLY was speeches..
III "Of course, your highness," )"
lid said BaIdos, deep apology in
his voice, "Rayone is woefully
misinformed. He is honest in his be-
lief, and you should not misjudge his
motives. How he could have been SO
blind as to confound you with that
frisky American girl-but I beg your
pardon. She is to be your guest. a
thousand pardons, your highness."
She had been struck dumb by the
wording Of the note, but his apparently
sincere apology for his friend set her
every emotion into play once more.
While he was speaking her wits were
forming themselves for conflict. She
opened the campaign with a bold at"
tack. "You-you believe me to be the
princess, sure enough, don't you?
But with all her bravery she was not
able to look him in the face.
Glow can you doubt it, your high
ness? Would I be serving you in the
present capacity if believed vn1, to he
any one else?
SRavone's warning has not shaker
your faith in me:"
sIt has strengthened It. Nothing
could alter the facts il the case i
have not, since we left Ganlook, been
in doubt as to the identity Of my bene-
faetress."
"It seems to me that you are beat
inc around the bush. I'll come straight
to the point. How long have you
known that am not the Princess OF
Graustark?"
.What!' he exclaimed, drawing back
in we'll assumed horror "Do ycu mean
are you jesting? I beg OF you, 90
not jest. It is very serious with me-"
His alarm was so genuine that she was
completely deceived.
81 am not jesting," she half wh1s-
rered, turning very cold. "Have you
thought all along that I am the prln-
cess; that am Grenfall Lorry's w1feT
"You told me that you were the prin-
cess
But I've never said that was-was
any ones wife,
There was a piteous appeal in her
voice, and he was not slow to notice it
and rejoice. Then his heart smote him,
"But what is to become of me if you
are not the princess?" he asked after
long pause Il can no longer serve
you. This is my last day in the castle
guard"
'tYou are to go on serving mel mean
you are to retain your place in the serv-
ice.' she hastened to say. 81 sha1r
keep ny promise to you" How smau
and humble she was beginning to feel!
It did not seem so entertaining after
all. this pretty deception Of hers. Down
in his heart. underneath the gallant eV-
terror. what was his opinion Of her?
Something was singing ner eyes fierce
Il, and she closed them to keep back
the tears Of modification.
Miss Calhoun" be said, his name"
changing swiftly, 81 have felt from TIE
first that you are not the Princess OF
Graustark. I knew it an hour after I
entered EGelweiss. Franz gave NE
note at GanIook, but did not read 1t
until was q member Of the guard"
You haze known it SO long% she
cried joyously. "And you have trusted
ME? You lave not hated me for de-
ceiving you:'
II have never ceased to regard you
as my sovereign" he said softly.
"But'ju Il moment ago you spoke OF
me as a f'isky American girl" she said
resentful:y.
Il have used that term but once,
while ':ave said your highness' a
thous2cd ..'@2"s. Knowing that You
were Miss Calhoun, l could not have
meant either
81 fancy l have no right to criticise
you," she humbly admitted. After all,
it does not surprise me that you were
not deceived Only an imbecile could
have been fooled ali these weeks. Ev-
cry one said that you We're no fool. 1t
, seems ridiculous that it should have
gone to this length, doesn't it,"
"Not at all, your highness. l an
not
"You have the habit. I see," she
smiled.
81 have several months yet to serve
as a member Of the guard Besides, l
am under orders to regard you as the