Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-01-18

MlsS-yO highneSs, groaned the trusty
maidservant Beverly laughed bravely
but nervously with the tall goat hunter.
He at once set about making his guest
comfortable and secure from the ef-
fects of the tempest, which was now at
Its height. Her couch Of cushions was
dragged far back into the cavern and
the rescued blankets, though drenched,
again became a screen.
do you imagine that I'm going in
there while this storm ragesY Beverly
demanded as the work progressed.
"Are you not afraid of lightning?
Most young women are"
"That's the trouble. l am afraid Of
It, I'd much rather stay out here where
there is company. You don't mind, do
your
Paradise cannot be spurned by one
who now feels its warmth for the first
time" he said CALAMITY. "Your fear Is
my delight Pray sit upon our throne.
1t was once a humble carriage pail of
leather, but now it is exalted. Besides,
1t is much more comfortable than some
of the gilded chairs we hear about"
"You are given to irony, fear" she
said, observing a peculiar smile on his
lips.
II crave pardon. your highness," he
said humbly. '"The heart of the goat
hunter is more gentle than his wit
shall not again forget that you are a
princess and the veriest beggar."
II didn't mean to hurt your she
cried in CONSERVATION, for she was a
very poor example Of what princess
is supposed to be.
"There is no wound, your highness,"
he quickly said With mocking grace
that almost angered her he dropped to
his knee and motiOned for her to be
seated. She sat down suddenly, clap
ping her hands to her ears and shut
ting her eyes tightly. The crash Of
thunder that came at that instant was
the most fearful of all, and it was a
full minute before she dared to lift her
lids again. He was standing before
her, and there was genuine compassion
In his face. Its terrible" he said.
NCNC1 DClOIC nave pCCh OuNA u
storm. Have courage, your highness.
1t can last but little longer"
"Goodnessp said the real American
girl, for want of something more ex-
pressive.
your servant has crept into your
couch, / fear Shall l sit here at your
feet? Perhaps you may feel small
sense of security if p
Indeed, l want you to sit there"
she cried. He forthwith threw him.
self upon the floor of the cave, a
graceful, respectful guardian. Minutes
went by without word from either.
The noise Of the storm made 1t i'm
possible to speak and be heard. Scat
tered about the cavern were his out
stretched followers, doubtless asleep
once more In all this turmoil. With
the first lull In the war of the ele-
ments Beverly gave utterance to the
thought that long had been struggling
for release.
"Why do you wear that horrid black
patch over your eyeT she asked, a
trife timidly. He muttered sharp
exclamation and clapped his hand to
his eye. For the first time since the
beginning of their strange aCqualnt-
anceshlp Beverly observed downright
confusion In this debOnair knight of
the wilds.
ut has-has slipped off," ne STAN
mered, with guilty grin. His merry
insOlence was gone, his composure
with it. Beverly laughed with keen
enjoyment over the discontinue Of the
shame faced vagabond.
"You can't fool mew she exclaimed,
shaking her finger at him In the most
unconventional way. 1T was intend.
ed to be a disguise There Is abso-
lutely nothing the matter with your
eye"
He was speechless for a moment, re-
covering himself Wisdom is concelv-
ed In silence, and he knew this. Vaga-
bond or gentleman, he was a clever
actor.
1.-THE eye Is weak, your highness and
cover it in the daytime to protect II
from the sunlight" he said coolly.
"That's all very nice, but it looks to
be quite as good as the other. And
what Is more, sir, you are not putting
the patch over the same eye that wore
1t when l first saw you. 1t was the
left eye at sunset Does the trouble
transfer after darkp
He broke into an honest laugh and
hastily moved the black patch across
his nose to the left eye.
II was turned around In the dark.
ness, that's ALL" he said serenely. I'll
belongs over the left eye, and l am
deeply grateful to you for discovering
the error"
II don't see any especial reason why
you should wear II after dark, do youl
There is no sunlight, I'm sure"
81. am daZzled, nevertheless" he TO
tOrted.
"FIddlestlcksP she said. "Thls d a
cave, not a drawing room"
''In other words, am lOut and not
a courtier," he smiled. "Well, a lout
may look at a princess. We have no
court etiquette in the hills, l am sorry
to say"
''That was very unkind, even though
you said 1t most becomingly," she pro-