Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-01-04
gperet that something IKE a threat &C


secret that something like threat &C
eompanied the message.
Prince Gabriel was In complete con-
troll at Serros and was disposed to
laugh at the demands of his late cap
tors. His half brother, the dethrOned
Prince Dantan. was still hiding in the
Businesses Of the hills, protected by a
small company of mobiles, and there
was no hope that he ever could regain
his crown. GabrieFs power over the
army was supreme. The general pub
lie admired Dantan, but it was helpless
In the face Of circumstances.
But why should Axphain seek to
harass Graustark at this timeT" de
manded Beverly Calhoun in perplex-
ity and wrath. II should think the
brutes would try to help her."
'sThere is an element OF opposition
10 the course the government is tax
ing" the officer informed her In his
own way, "but it Is greatly In the NIL
norlty. The Axphainians have hated
Graustark since the last war, and the
princess desplses this American. 1t Is
an open fact that the Duke of Mizrox
leads the opposition to Princess Volga,
and she Is sure to have him beheaded
II the chance affords. He is friendly
TO Graustark and has been against the
policy of his princess from the start"
"Td like to hug the Duke of Mizrox,"
cried Beverly warmly. The officer did
not understand her, but Aunt Fanny
was scandalized.
"Good Lawd! she muttered to the
boxes and bags.
AS the coach rolled deeper and deep
or into the rock shadowed wilderness
Beverly Calhoun felt an undeniable
sensatiop Of awe creeping over her.
The brave, impetuOus girl had plunged
gayly into the project which now leo
her into the deadlest of uncertainties
with but little thought of the conse-
Quences.
The first stage of the journey by
coach had been good fun. They had
passed along pleasant roads, through
quaint villages and among interesting
people, and progress had been rapid.
The second stage had presented rather
terrifying prospects, and the third day
promised even greater vicissitudes.
Looking from the coach windows out
upon the quiet, desolate grandeur OF
her surroundings, poor Beverly began
to appreciate how abjectly helpless and
alone she was. Her companions were
ugly, vicious looking men, any one OF
whom could inspire terror by look.
She had intrusted herself to the care
of these strange creatures in the mo-
ment Of inspired courage, and now she
was constrained to regret her action.
True, they had proved worthy pro-
tectors as far as they had gone, but
the very possibilities that lay in their
power were appalling, now that she
had time to consider the situation.
The officer in charge had been rec
commended as a trusted servant OF the
czar: an American consul had secured
the escort for her direct from the from
tier patrol authorities. Men high In
power had vouched for the integrity
of the detachment, but all this was for
gotten In the mighty solitude OF the
mountains. She was beginning to fear
her escort more than she feared the
brigands Of the hills.
Treachery seemed printed on theiT
backs as they rode ahead Of her. The
big officer was ever polite and alert
but she was ready to distrust him on
the slightest excuse. These men could
not help knowing that she was rich
and it was reasonable for them to sus
Dect that she carried money and jewels
with her. In her minds eye she could
picture these traitors rlhing her bags
and boxes in some dark pass, and theT
there were other horrors that almost
petrihed her when she allowed herself
to think of them.
Here and there the travellers passed
by rude cots where dwelt wOOdmen and
mOuntaIneers, and at long Intervals
solitary but picturesque hOrseman stood
aside and gave them the road. As th'
coach penetrated deeper into the gorg'
signs of human life and activity be
came fewer. The sun could not senC
his light into this shadowy tomb o.
granite. The rattle Of the wheels an(
the clatter Of the horses hOofs sounded
like a constant crash Of thunder In th'
ears Of the tender traveller, daint!
mOrsel among hawks and wolves.
There was an unmistakable tremo
In her voice when she at last founC
heart to ask the officer where they wer'
to spend the night. 1t was far pas
noon, and Aunt Fanny had suggested
opening the lunch baskets. One OF tn
guides was called back. the leader be
ing as much In the dark as his charge
There is no village within twent.
miles," he said, ''and we must sleep II
the pass"
Beverly's voice faltered. "Out her
in all this awful Then she caugh
herself quickly. 1t came to her sudden
ly that she must not let these men Sc
that she was apprehensive. Her voic
was a trifie shrlll and her eyes glisten
ed with a strange new light as sh
went on, changing her tack completely
s'How rOmanticl I've often wanted