The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-22
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eliouSH. ne DeDeNed IT. was n1S duty obtain glimpse of the interior of this cottage. The lights furnished an entirely sufficient excuse for his knocking and beg ging to be shown his way back to Floremar. He waited where he was for some minutes, during which time all the lights burned on steadily. Then he went up to the door and knocked smartly
 lie was not kept waiting moment The door flew open as if he had been eagerly ex- pected. Just within stood grl-a Kills trian peasant girl, wearing the national costume-but of beauty really remark able Her night-black hair framed face of which the complexion seemed. to him flawless. Her eyes were pools of soft depth, her ips-he had never seen lips quite like them. Yet her beauty at. the moment was not the obvious thing about her, but her terror As she opened the door she had worn a beamng smile, which froze on her lips as she confronted the stranger. She fell back pace completely disordered; and cried out few words in language to him unknown. Certainly not Kilistrian.
 Instantly a door opened, showing a
  entered like the girl in dress and face, but twice her age. Her beauty and dignity were as striking as those of the girl so evidently her daughter. She was pale, but showed no fear, fixing a reproving eye upon the girls panic.
 Good evening, sir,' said she in Kills trian. What can we do for you?"
 Humphrey explained that he had lost his way, and seeing the lights had ventured to knock and ask for direction. She looked at him little vaguely, as if she did not understand; which was galling, as he was rather proud of his colloquai command of the language. After hesitating a moment, she said, Come in.' Then turning to her daughter, "Beruna, fetch your brother"
 The beautiful woman brought forward chair and motioned that the visitor should take seat. He often heard people say that the kilistrian mountain population were all gentlefolk, but had never seen so striking an example as this of the truth of the saying.
 Anton walked in almost at once from the kitchen, hands washed and hair brushed. He wore, as he entered, a curious mask like stiffness; his expression changing in- stantly upon sight of the visitor.
 "A=a=ah.' He took a long breath of relief. Mother, this is the Englishman who is attached to the person of our prince,''
 Humphrey, hardly knowing why, arose and bowed upon the introduction Antons mother very slightly inclined her head in acknowledgement.
 Narley ba cto 4o 1o;, +La4 L. I lest his way, and Anton translated what he said to his mother in an unknown tongue. She seemed relieved to hear who he was, but just as evidently she was still on the defensive.
 Anton glanced at her, and some inter- change of ideas seemed to pass between them without words He took up his cap with decision.
 You will not easily find your way from this point. 1 will come out with you and put you your road"
 Nothing of the kind" protested Varlev. who knew exactly where he was You are only just off duty, and must want your supper
 How do you know I am just off duty?" sharply.
 Narley hastened to cover his slip
 "Why, l know the guard changes at II, and l guessed that your lamp was to guide you up the glen" So saying. he turned to say farewell to his hostess; but she lifted her hand with dienified ees ture and said to her son in her slow Kill istrian-"We cannot let the gentleman go all that way back without supper"
 Varley's heart leapt. He wanted badly