The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-01-02

sword hiit- Beverly SAT DOWN iastaHt-
ay. With his usual easy grace he took
a chair near By. They were alone IN
she anteehamber.
ssEven though you were en- your last
segs?'' she murmured and then wonder
ed how she could have uttered any
thing so inaae. Somehow she was be-
shining to fear that he was not the or
binary person she had judged him to
be. You are to be discharged from
the hospital tomorrow she added
hastily
Tomorrow? he cried, his eyes light
ang with joy. Il may go then?"
e have decided to take you to Edel
weiss with me- ? she said very much as
Il that were all there was to it. He
stared at her for full minute as
though doubling his ears.
ssNo..' ne said al. last his Jaws set
Ting, his eyes glstening. It was a
terrible setback for Beverly's conf
Gence. Your highness forgets that
have your promise Of absolute free
dom 2
sBut you are to be free" she protest
ed. You have nothing to fear. 1t is.
not compulsory, you know You don't
have to go unless you really want to.
But my hear: is set on having you IN
in the castle guard. . His bitter. mock
ing laugh surprised and wounded her,
which he was quick to see, for his
conriion was Immediate.
Pardon. your highness. am q
rude, ungratefm wretch. and I deserve
punishment instead Of reward. The.
proposal was so astounding that ] for
got myself completely" he said
Whereupon, catching him In this con-
rite mood. she began a determined as
sauit against his resolution. For an
hour sic devoted her whole heart and
sou to the task Of overcoming his
pse5ua;ces. fears and objections, meet
srg his protestations firmly and logic
any, UNCONSCIOUS of the feet that her
sery enthai ;iasra was betraying her 20
sss;ln The arst signs CT weakening IN
L sTireG Iiar afresh and st last soe was
:sriaang oYe. him roughshod, & happy
r5csor. She made promises that YetiYe
eerseiss aaHId not hare made; she offer
~: Inducements that never could be.
ss:srried out although in her zeal she
ssssss 'sssssssss not know it to be so; she painted
pictures of ease, comfort and
sure hat he wondered why royal
ID not exchange places with its
satts. In the end, overcome by the
Of adventure and desire to be
be agreed to enter the service
~ Sc months. at the expiration Of
srhieh tine he was to be released from
azl Obligations if he SO desired
~Essnr nay friends in the pass, your
ssensess. he said in surrendering,
) what S 70 become Of them? They are
waiting for me out there In the wilder
ness. am not base enough to desert
them"
Cant you get word to tbem?" she
asked eagerly. LET them come into
the city too. We viii provide for the
poor fellows, believe me. =
sThat. at least, is impossible, your
highness, be said, shaking his head
sadly. sYou will have to slay them
before sou can bring them within the
city gates. My only hope IS that Franz
may be here tonight He nas permis-
sion to enter. and am expecting him
today or tomorrow
~esYou can send word to them that
you are sound and safe, and you can
ssls them that Graustark soldiers shall
be Instructed to. pay no attention to
them whatever They shall not be dis
surDed.' He laughed outright at her
enthusiasm. Many tines during her
eager conversation with Baldos she
had almost betrayed the fact that she
was not the princess. Some Of her
expressions were distinctly unregal.
and some Of her slips were hopeless
as she viewed them in retrospect
sWhat am I? Only the humble goat
hunter. hunted to deatb and eager for
q short respite. Do with me as you
like, your highness. You shall be my
princess and sovereign for SIX months
III lScSl. uc SolO, o1SAAAS. SAAoPS ~
Is for the best"
Hyou are the strangess man I've ever
seen" she remarked. puzzled beyond
expression.
That night Franz appeared at the
hospital and was left alone with Baa-
dos For an hour or more. What, passed
between them no outsider knew,
though there were tears in the eyes OF
both at The parting. But Franz did not
start for the pass that night, as they
had expected. Strange news had come
se the ears OF tie faithful old follower,
aaa he hung about Ganlook until
sz.srslias ca,He. eager to catch the ear
G. S leader before, it was too late.
re coach was drawn up in front OF
the hospital at s o'clock, Beverly tri-
.nphant in command. Baldos came
os7a the steps slowly, carefully, IA
%e ag the newly healed hsaments in
&c legs. She smiled cheerily at him,
qZ. ne swung his rakish nat low.