Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-02-01

HEI cOurteOuSly pldCSu "
~ her and asked her to be seated
I'VE were expecting you, Miss Cal-
houn." he explained. "Her royal hlgn-
ness left st. Petersburg but Ie"
hours after your departure, having IN
fortunately missed you.
"You don't mean to say that lne
prlncess tried to find me in st. Feters,
burg?" cried Beverly in wonder anu
delight
.That was one of the purposes OF her
visit" said he brusquely.
"Oh. how jolly" cried She her gray
ewes sparkling. The grim old captain
was startled for the smallest fraction
OF minute, but at once fell to admir-
ing the fresh, eager face of the visitor
"The public at large is under the
impression that she visited the czar on
matters Of Importance" he said WIN
a condescending smile.
"And it really was Of no Importance
at all, that's what you meanE She
smiled back securely.
"YOur message informing her hlgn-
ness of your presence in st. Peters
burg had no sooner arrived than sne
set forth to meet you in that city,
much against the advice of her coun-
selors. will admit that she had other
business there, but it could have walt
ed. You see, Miss Calhoun, it was a
great risk at this particular time. Mis-
fortune means disaster now. But
Providence was her friend. She ar
rived safely in Ganlook not an hour
since"
'Really? Oh, Baron Dangloss, where
is she?" excitedy cried the American
girl.
For the night she is stopping with
the Countess Rallpwitz. A force or
men. but not those whom you met at
the gates, has just been dispatched at
her command to search for you in the
lower pass. You took the most danger
Gus road, Miss Calhoun, and am
amazed that you came through In
safety"
The Russians chose the lOwei pass,
I know not why. OF course, l was
quite ignorant However, we met nell
ther brlgands 9or soldiers, Axphain or
! GrauStark. | encountered nothing
more alarming than mountain lion.
And that, Baron Dangloss, recalls me
to the sense of duty have been neg
lecting. A poor wanderer in the hills
defended me against the beast and was
badly wounded. He must be taken to
s hospital at once, sir, where he may
have the proper care"
Whereupon, at his request, she hur-
riedly related the story of that trying
Journey through the mountains, not
forgetting to paint the courage of Bal
dos in most glowing colors. The chief
was deeply interested in the story of
the goat hunter and his party. There
was an odd gleam of satisfaction in his
eyes, but she did not observe it.
"You will see that he has immediate
attention, won't your" she implored in
the end.
"He shall have our deepest consider
alton" promised he.
"You know am rather interested be-
cause l shot him, just as if it were
not enough that his legs were being
torn by the brute at the time. He
ought not to walk, Baron Dangloss.
If you don't mind, I'd suggest an am
bulance," she hurried on glibly. He
could not conceal the smile that her
eagerness inspired. "Really, he is In
a serious condition. think he needs
some quinine and whisky, too, and'-
"He shall have the best of care" in
terrupted the captain. "Leave him to
me, Miss Calhoun"
"Now, let me tell you something, y
said she. after due reflection. "You
must not pay any attention to what he
says He is liable to be delirious and
talk in a terrible sort of way. You
know, delrious people never talk ra-
tionally." She was Loyalty trying to
protect Baldos, the hunted, against
any discriminating statements he might
make.
"Quite right Miss Calhoun" said the
baron very grayely.
"And now, I'd like to go to the prin-
cess" said Beverly, absolutely sure of
herself. you know we are great
| friends, she and l."
II have sent messenger to announce
your arrival She will expect you"
Beverly looked about the room in per
pleXity.
But there has been no messenger
here" she said
"He left here some minutes before you
came l knew who it was that came
knocking at our gates, even though she
travelled as Princess Yetive of Grau-
stark"
"And, oh, that reminds me, Baron
Dangloss, Baldos still believes me to
be the princess. Is it necessary to-
to tell him the truth about me? Just
at present, l mean? I'm sure he'll rest
much easier if he doesn't know diff
ferently"
80 far as l am concerned, Miss Cal
houn, he shall always regard you as q
queen" said Dangloss calamity.
'Thank you. It's very nice of you
to-
A man in uniform entered after
knocking at the door of the room. He
saluted his superior and uttered a few