Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-05-21

"You are the prettiest thing in al
this world" she ecstatically whispered
into Beverly's ear. "My brother says
so. too" she added concluslvely. Bev
erly was too true a woman not to reve
in this subtle fiattery.
The great banquet hall was to be
thrown open at midnight. There were
dancing and song during the hours
leading up to this important event
Beverly was entranced. She had seen
brilliant affairs at home, but none OF
them compared to this in regal splen-
dor. 1t was the sensuous, overpower-
ing splendor Of the east.
Prince Dantan Joined the throng just
before midnight. He made his way di-
rect to the little circle Of which Bev-
erly and Candace formed the center.
His rich, full military costume gave
him a new distinction that quite over
came Beverly They fell into an ami
mated conversation, exchanging shafts
Of wit that greatly amused those who
could understand the language.
"You must remember" Beverly said
in reply to one of Ravone's sallies,
''that Americans are not in the least
awed by Europe's greatness. 1t has
come to the pass when we call Europe
our playground. We now so to Eu-
rupe as we go to the circus or the
county fair at home. 1t isn't much
more trouble, you know, and we must
sae the sights"
"Alas. poor EuropeT he laughed. As
he strolled about with her and Can
dace he pointed out certain men to her,
asking her to tax her memory in the
effort to recall their faces if not their
apparel. She readily recognized in the
lean, tired faces the men she had met
FIRST at the Inn of the Hawk and Ra-
vRn.
'"They were vagabonds then, Miss
Calhoun. Now they are noblemen.
Does the transition startle your"
isn't BaldOs among them?" she ask
ed, voiclng the query that had been
uppermost In her mind since the mo-
ment when she looked down from the
galleries and failed to see him. She
was wondering how he would appear
In court costume.
''YOu forget that Baldos is only a
guard" he said kindly.
"He is courtier nevertheless" she
She was vaguely disappointed be-
cause he was missing from the scene
Of splendor. 1t proved to her that
caste Overcame all else In the rock
ribbed east. The common man, no
matter how valiant, had no place In
such affairs as these. Her pride was
suffering. She was as a queen among
the noblest of the realm. As the wife
Of Baldos she would live In another
world-on the outskirts of this one of
splendor and arrogance. A stubborn,
defiant little frown appeared on her
brow as she pictured herself in her
minds eye standing afar OFF with "the
man" Baldos, looking at the opulence
she could not reach. Her impetuous,
rebellious little heart was humping
bitterly as she considered this single !
phase of the life to come. She was
ready to cry out against the injustice
Of 1t all. The little frown was por-
tentous Of deep laid designs. She
would break down this cruel barrier
that kept Baldos from the fields over
which prejudice alone held sway. Her
love for him and her determination to
be his wife were not in the least dulled
by these reflections.
The doors to the great banquet hall
were thrown open at last, and in the
disorder that followed she wondered
who was to lead her to the feasting.
The Duke of Mizrox claimed the Prin-
cess Candace.
II am to have the honor" said some
one at her side, and the voice was the
one she least expected to hear utter
the words. The speaker was the man
who deserved the place beside Yetive.
Prince Dantan himself.
Bewildered. her heart palpitating
with various emotions. she took his
arm and allowed herself to be drawn
wonderingly through the massive
doors. As they entered. followed by
the brilliant company. tie superb or
ehestra that Beverly hai SO often en-
joyed began to play the stirring
Hands Across the Sea- The musi-
clans themselves seemed to have
caught the universal feeling of Joy and
mirth that was In the mir and played
as If inspired. their leader bowling low
to the young American girl as she
passed. 1t was his affectionate tribute
TO her. Prince Dantan, to her amaze
rent, led her up the entire length of
ire banquet hall to the head Of the
royal table, gorgeous with the plate Of
a hundred Graustark rulers, placing
her on his left and next to the slightly
raised royal chairs. Candace was on
bis right, the picture Of happiness.
felt dizzy, weak. She looked
at Prince Dantan. His smile
vas puzzling. As If in a daze she saw
irenfall Lorry with the Countess
Hvonne standing exactly opposite to
Ter. he, with the others, awaiting the
appearance Of the princess and the one
Who was to sit beside her.
The music ceased, there was a hush
'ver the room, and then Yetive came
Onward, magnificent In her royal
'obes, smiling and happy. A tall man
q the uniform Of an exalted army OH
'er stood beside her. gold braid and be-
eweled things across his breast Bev-
rly turned deathly white, her figure
tiffened and then relaxed.
1t was Baldos!
She never knew how she dropped in
0 the chair the servant held for her.
he only knew that his dark eyes were
milling at her with love and mischief