Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-02-26

"a
In the morning 1t was hot In the city
but II looked cold and bleak on the
heights Comfortable wraps were tax
en- along, and provision was made fol
luncheon at an inn halfway up the
slope. Qulnnox regaled Beverly witt
stories In which Grenfall Lorry was
the hero and Yetiye the heroine. He
told her of the days when Lorry, fu
gitive with price upon his mead
charged with the sslnation ol
Prince Lorenz, then betrothed to the
princess. lay hidden in the monastery
while Yetive's own soldiers hunted
high and low for him. The narrator
dwelt glowlngly upon the trip from the
monastery to the city walls one dark
night when Lorry came down to sur
render himself In order to shield the
woman he loved, and Quinnox himself
plloted him through the underground
passage into the very heart of the cas-
tie. Then came the exciting scene In
which Lorry presented himself as a
prisoner, with the denouement that
saved the princess and won for the
gallant American the desire of his
heart.
"What brave fellow he was" cried
Beverly, who never tired of hearing
the romantic story.
"Ah, he was wonderful, Miss Cal
houn. l fought him to keep him from
surrendering He beat me, and | was
virtually his prisoner when we appear
ed before the tribunal"
"Its no wonder she loved him and
married him"
"He deserved the best that life could
give, Miss Calhoun"
"You had better not call me Miss
Calhoun, Colonel Quinnox," said she,
looking back apprehenslvely. Il am a
highness once in awhile, don't you
knowY
81 lmplore your highness' pardon,
said he gayly.
The riders ahead had come to
standstlll and were pointing off into
the pass to their right. They were
eight or ten miles from the city gates
and more than halfway up the winding
road that ended at the monastery gates.
Beverly and QuinnoX came up with
them and found all eyes centered on
small company of men encamped in the
rocky detile hundred yards from the
main road.
1t needed but a glance to tell her
who comprised the unusual company. |
The very raggedness of their garments,
the unforgettable disregard for conse-
quences, the impudent ease with which |
they faced poverty and wealth alike,
belonged to but one set of men-the |
of the Hawk and Raven.
Beverly went a shade whiter. Her in
terest in everything else tagged, and
she was lost in bewilderment What
freak of fortune had sent these men
out of the Businesses into this danger
Ously open place?
She recognized the ascetic Ravone,
with his students face and beggars
garb. Old Franz was there, and so
geneous garments had become so IA
miliar to her in another day The tall
leader with the red feather, the rak
sh hat and the black patch alone was
missing from the picture
'It's the strangest looking crew I've
ever seen" said Anguish. "They look
ike pirates"
"Or gypsies," suggested Yetive. "Who
Ire they, Colonel Quinnox? What are
hey doing hereY'
Quinnox was surveying the vaga-
bonds with a critical, suspicious eye.
"They are not robbers or they would
pc off like rabbits" he said reflective
y. "YOur highness, there are many
owing bands in the hills, but confess
hat these men are unlike any have
heard about. With your permission, l
will ride down and question Them"
do, QuinnOX. am most curious"
Beverly sat very still and tense. She
vas afraid to look at Baldos, who rode
Up as QuinnoX started into the narrow
lefle, calling to the escort to follow.
Che keen eyes of the guard caught the
situation at once. Miss Calhoun shot
quick glance at him as he rode up be-
ide her. His face was impassive, but
he could see his hand clinch the bridle
elm, and there was an air of restraint
his whole bearing. ,
Remember your PROMISE" he whis- !
cred hoarsely. "NO harm must come ,
them." Then he was off into the de,
lie. Anguish was not to be left be-
ind. He followed, and then Beverly.
lore yentufesome and vastly more in =
crested than the others, rode reck- u,
'ssly after. Quinnox was questioning !
he laconic Ravone when she drew :
Elm. The vagabonds seemed to evince
ut little interest in the proceedings. :.
hey stood away in disdainfuI aloof- =
ess. No sign of recognition passed .
etween them and Baldos.
In broken, ierky sentences Ravone :,
Explained to the colonel that they were :
party of actors on their way to Edel- :,
MN.A t