I cm-imp 'ino wono Boem- lund ree(linr
I 7 IU eve T88'1 back to the days of danced w ider " "'to
. white iog nwiTiy ' nlimlig9. lhe ed t0 bave gone wu.ii mer minuet- uZ h
it-nnarl una ner ejcs .:,., nr ut . t a , ... ir-uu mui u iunj a--... uU
.i . - a. i utwi'i'-"! - i .1 i ki ii i ii in . r,nniMi i
Beverly of
Graustark
i
fiFORAF RARR
m m'cutchfon. mm
Author of "CruUrk
eat
CwrtoM. 1904. ky OcnU.
MmJ mi Comr
C-":."V.l---V-:..
8
rrwi ami her eyes were
rings io'a black screen.
Good Lawd, wba-what fo, Miss
Bev'ly"-
rnn'r rail me Miss
"Sh!
and
"My
oia servant," she naif whis
pered. Then, as several or uie weii
started toward the door: "But she Is
old and wouldn't harm a fly. Tlease,
please don't hurt her." n
"Compose yourself; she is sare,
said the leader. By this time It was
quite dark. At a word from hjm two
or three men lighted lanterns. The
picture was more weird than ever In
the fitful glow. "May I ask, your high
ness, how do you Intend to reacn .uei
welss In your present condition? You
cannot manage those horses and, be
sides, you do not know the way."
"Aren't you going to rob us?" de
manded Beverly, hope springing to the
surface with a Joyful bound. The
stranger laughed heartily and shook
his head.
"Do we not look like honest men?
he cried, with a wave of his hand to
ward his companions. Beverly looked
dubious. "We live the good, clean life
of the wilderness. Outdoor life Is nec
essary for our health. We could not
live In the city," he went on, with grim
.fcumor. For the first time Beverly no
ticed that he wore a huge black patch
lfft eve. held In place by a
cord He appeared more formidable
than ever under the light of critical In-
"I am very much relieved," said Bev
erly, who was not at all relieved. "But
why have you stopped us In this man-
"Stopped you?" cried the man with
thA nnteh. "I Implore you to unsay
that, your highness. Your coach was
aulte at a standstill before we knew of
Its presence. You do us a grave
Hnatlce."
"It's very strange," muttered Bever
ly anmoviiat taken aback.
"Have you observed that It is quite
dark?" asked the leader, putting away
his brief show of Indignation.
"Dear me; so It Is!" cried she, now
able to think more clearly,
"And vou are miles from an inn or
bouse of any kind," he went on. Do
you expect to stay here all night?"
"l'm-l'm not afraid," bravely shiv
ered Beverly.
"It is most dangerous."
"I have a revolver," the weak little
voice went on.
"Oho! What Is It for?"
"To use In case of emergency."
"Such as repelling brigands who sud
denly appear upon the scene?"
'Yes.'
In
vvr Inst vou Day 'tention 10 m,
I'll tell you something queer. Get my
revolver right away and don't let those
men see what you are doing. While
Aunt Fanny's trembling fingers went
the firearm. Beverly out
lined the situation briefly, but explicit
ly The old woman was not slow to
understand. Her wits sharpened by
fear, she grasped Beverly's instruc
tions with astonishing aviimy.
v. vo' hicbness ." she said,
with fine reverence, "Ah'll p'ocuah de
bottle o' pepp'mlnt fo' yo' If yo Jes
a mi,.. niB oullin' an haulln
boxes. Mebbe yo all
druther hab de glngeh?" With this
wonderful subterfuge as a shield she
due slyly into one of the bags and
. I,," wa ponfusina n,,iii forth a revolver. Under orai-
inai Uie ivuurc vuuui.j - r- 1,1 hflVft
her in some strange way with the Prln- uary circumstances she , ouU havj
v,- pw8 had evidently been mortally afraid to touch It, but
tes . tho hllla I. , t,,,9 emergency. Beverly
with the swiftness of fire. It would be 8hoved the weapon into the pocket of
Beverly listened with increasing per
plexity. It was true that she had left
St Petersburg on Sunday; that the un
precedented floods had stopped all rail
way traffic In the hills, compelling her
to travel for many miles by stage, and
iinulinca.
rocs
Itlll'tlOll
overhanging '-'f uu cuth which
...up deep canop, u lu" ... .,med
perfect shelter. and
to
,s peneci B"c 8uJ bere ana heT voice " "
be rich, grasses loan . I momntMy
... mi ets of loug a 1 .i tiiAii smiled ui
. ... uiul his merry
1 ..vou fare at the Inu of the
Hwk and Haven." she said to him,
llawK anu Mcltement.
treiuuiuu" -
uer lor a
""HlllUt..,! i.
a ...I.. . 1
ewlHh of their tan 7-7
the whlstlo of the w
"eg.
mi,..
there were pullets
men. AH aooui . m graB8 hftye bad
in thedirecuu.. y. - - , t0
.i Jr the grass hllVe bad in two
1
grew higher ..""-.as so dense
The foliage abov e as
hat the moon and t " r
nn.aH was a deathly stillntss "
tL very loneliness was - - be(jn , tlie
that Beverly's Poor " a wUo Btttrk."
a quiver otu- ..- ; ,eav.
snt near oy, - - ovi .ere ex-
ntpnii It!1
..yes We were lucky with the guns
todS Fate was kind to us-and to
mi for we are better prepared to en-
' rvaltv today than at auy time
tertal" Lin in the bills of Grau-
lived in
i-uruicei or the i "WM.
veU curried the si,,,,,' k
luetantto leave apla
Ing to the fancy. 'Jjjl
came a caldrou, a b! 0"'8
roaring reeentnei i . , f ? kli.
birds flanned tw VJ
treetops 8earell fcf
were flattened to the eart
is
f
.,uoiaa in denv the story; these men
would not believe her. In a flash she
amMoA thnt it would be best to pose
.. timo Mni! as tue ruier ui
f'rnstflrk. It remained only for her
to impress upon Aunt Fanny the lni- gbe agreed suavely
traveling iacket
"I feel much better now, Aunt Fan
ny." she said, and Aunt Fanny gave a
vast chuckle.
"Yaas, ma'am, lndeed-yo' Highness,
Th POAch rolled along for half an
hm.r and then stopped with a sudden
Jolt An Instant later the tall driver
appeared at the window, his head un
covered. A man hard by held a lan
tern. M
"Qua vandos ar deltanet, yos serent,
said the leader, showing his white
teeth in a triumphant siniie. wis -
i.,.. thp coach, but
UK 1 " "
-"Kjr sift
I have
strange picture. He as or codltlon. I ai
S gri u-f-m that ren ,1 uled her Wrth
nCLS"rments. us as O.rcumnce. a
nnrtnnoii Af this resolution,
' K
"What wise oia nnis uuey muv ,
... . t n nnln ant
she said, wltn evasive iiuun..
"You cannot expect me to aamit, How
ever, that I am the princess," she went
on.
"It would not be just to your excel
lent reputation for tact if you did so.
nr highness." calmly spoke the man.
- . ,1... I V . . 1 t .. ,,
"It Is quite as easy to say umi posed eye seemed to oe giowiug ""
not the princess as to say that you are, pieagure and excitement,
so what matters, after all? We re- .Wbatr murmured Beverly hopeless
serve the right, however, to do horn- A puMled expre8slon came into
age to the queen who rules over these f theQ b,g Bmlle deepeUed and
wise old hills. I offer you the humble oq ft kuowlug gieam.
services of myself and my compan- gee he galJ gaylyi ..your
Ions. We are yours to oommano. highness prefers not to speak the lau-
"I am very grateful to find that you of Graustark, l9 u necessary
are not brigands, believe me, said me to ,u Engnsbr
RAVPrlv. "Pray tell me who you are, would." said Bev-
then, and you shall be sufficiently re- catchlng her breath. "Just to see
waraea ror your Bui how lt sounds. you know."
"I? Oh, your highness, I am caiaos, . g w,gh ghaU be gratifled
comic oper ttttlug.
while torn and
his hips uarrow, his 1
straight. There wa au 'r of
dent grace about him tu
w,tb his We ad Prolo";
Surely here was a .
death "stood aiur - -
The light of the nreuxou"..
i fie into bolU reiiui, -lug
face mi" . ufllr
was off. Blacn " . fo, We have
rumpled and
The face was lean, smoo h , and trong.
Scenting the fact U.
terestiug face suoum -
ugly black patch, covenu8 - -no
what manner of defect. As for the
St of hem, they were a grim com
rest 1 0 vnnue and beardless,
oZrs oldandgrly. but all
otiv alert and strong.
the goat hunter, a poor subject for re
ward at your hands. I may as well ad
mit that I am a poacher and have no
legal right to the prosperity of your
Mils. The only reward I can ask is for
giveness for trespassing upon tne prop
erty of others."
v, Ehnii receive nardon for all
f be to Inform you that we nave
jeached the Inn of the Hawk and Ra
ven. This is where we dwelt last night.
Tomorrow we. too, abandon tne piace,
so our fortunes may run together for
Home hours at least There Is but lit
tie to offer you In the way of nourish
ment, and there is none of the com-
The
rm.on vou have not always
G?fS your highuesa
iivmI elsewhere."
Snt you were born in the prlncl-
P"KL a subject of its princess In
. 1 " fi.u duv forth, but not by
Heart nuu, , ,.. llf
onumou. i '
to a lew oi
and he smiled
... -...klrluttkilV.
rr oet. a delicious poet,"
cried Beverly, forgetting herself In her
euT.T.unt la why I am hungry
.... nnshom. It bad not occurred to
r. "... that lluht. When you are reauy
. ' v,.nr hiL'huess." he said
l0. "we shall be pleased
toZ de he luu of the Hawk and
iSfLli r the night. Having
tttvru, p Hhould sleep well
reasieu . . . , with
a hard uay u'
... ont 1 Him 11 uiace uiy ..umu
your , am tbe
nf crass ueui
porter. You have but to call if any
Z tired, but she would have
..... .... on nii.t rather than miss any
o lthet ange romance that bad been
. tU! . . ... Lr Hut Sir ltedfeather's
Sest n savored of a command, and
2 reluctantly made her way to the
I . i.i....bt that marked the en-
a .v tua 'Uttiuuci.
iruuL'e iu
y&$$;0s:
feader appea'red to be the only one Jb -" a9lde, 8WUng his bat low
the party who could speak and under Diuttered a soft good night,
stand the English language. As Bev- May vour blgimess' dreams be pleas-
erly sat and watched his virile inocH- j,, be guld
luu face and studied his graceful inove- k ., Bllld sbe, and the eur-
mLts she found herself wondering pertinently, hatwas
how an Ignorant, homeless wanderer of bn 1 ulU8t 8y," she add-
In the hills could be so poetic auu
cultured as this fellow seemed to be.
Three or four men, who were unnils
tnkHi.lv of a lower order than their
companions, set about preparing a sup- wondered how her gray
VVljr - .,,U1P
ed as she looked at me wun.e
When she went to sleep she never
si. was certain that her eyes
ttu . . flmo nnil that
were rebellious ioi
Ultras
transgressions, but you must get me to . . f a Daiace. Yet princesses can
some Dlace of safety," said Beverly ea- be cboosers than beggars
gerly. when the fare's In one pot Come,
"And quickly, too, you might well vour highness, let me conduct you to
have added," he said lightly. "The tbe gueat chamber of the Inn of the
horses have rested, I think, so with Hawi and Raven."
your permission we may proceed. I Beverly took his hand and stepped to
nti.,..w unhitched the tired horses , . lk flfter 8Ue bad slept In it
and led them off toward the river. Two n nlgbt ghe beard low singing as If
dashing young fellows carrieu iue lu tbe dl8tal,ee, but arter uwm.c
muier the rocky canopy and ta,ae so intense that its
on oiHimrate couch for the ,, ..i.nnut suffocated her. Tbe
CUUBUUV.IC.I M MjCDDUIC " ' " .
.-ioaa " The en er. wuu um " , , f i in r vw erew iuuun uu
hands, soon began the construction of ef and tbere was a swishing sound
a small chamber In this particular tbgt dled lu ber ear8 aimosi ua bub
r h.b ve near the opening. iue ,hnt it meant, tier iui wn
. ...... . ..til
walls of the chamber were loruieu oi ,ng Noughts were of the "diuck puvcu
tnnw nf a nlace where you may spend the around, looking about In wonder wal . o- . rionks and K. ii, ,r th door?
" 1, ZZa ' nri h rushed IS ". carriage rum.- p0el. uc r- --- -
Uie UlgUL tuuiiui iuui; uuu
fr.r tho riuicrh lourney tomorrow."
. - . i
Tnmmmw! How can I go on t II
am alone!" she cried despairingly.
"Permit me to remind you tnat you
are no longer alone. You have a rag
fniinwlntr. vour highness, but it
"May I ask why you did not use It ghall be a loyal one win you re-enter
this evening?"
"Because it is locked up in one of my
bags I don't know Just which one
and Aunt Fanny has the key," confess
ed Beverly.
Tho chief of the "honest men" laugb-
wi ncnin. a clear, ringing laugh that be
spoke supreme confidence In his right
to enjoy himself.
"And who is Aunt Fanny?" he asked,
the coach? It is not far to the place l
speak of, and I myself will drive you
.. . ... , . 1 A
there. Come, lt is getting iuie, uu
your retinue, at least, is hungry.
'I see no Inn," she murmured appre
hensively.
"Look aloft, your highness. That
irreat black canopy is the roof; we are
standing upon the floor, and the dark
shadows Just beyond the circle of light
are the walls of the Hawk and Kaven.
This is the largest tavern in all Grau
stark. Its dimensions are as w'de as
the world Itself."
"You mean that there Is no inn ar
. . ,.
irn..phoa Rh was awakened in tne miuuie ui
"TI.p Sliest chamber, your highness," the night by the violent napping oi uer
ith a smile i,milf.r window Startled, she sat
at the conclusion of his work.
It has been most Interesting
watch you," she said, rising.
He flung open the coach door, and his alj. tue giri cried in dismay
ho anrnt the cround once more, lhe
light of a lantern played fitfully upon
fcis dark, gaunt face, with its ganuui
mile and ominous patch. She hesitat
ed, fear entering her soul once more
covering his patch carefully with his Q lookea Up quickly and saw tbe inde
slouchinc bat.
"Mv servant. She's colored."
"Colored?" he asked in amazement.
"What do vou mean?"
"Whv. she's a negress. Don't you
know what a colored person Is?"
"You mean she' Is a slave a black
slave?"
"We don't own slaves any mo
more." He looked more puzzled than
ever-then at last, to satisfy himself,
walked over and peered Into the coach
Aunt Fanny set up a dismal howl. An
instant later Sir Honesty was pushed
nile. and Miss Calhoun was anxiously
trvlnir to comfort her old friend
through the window. The man looked
on In silent wonder for a minute and
then strode off to where a group of his
men stood talking,
'Is yo' daid ylt, Miss Bev'ly-ls de
.n.npV moaned Aunt Fanny. Bev
erly could not repress a smile.
"I am aulte alive, auntie. These men
will not hurt us. They are very nice
gentlemen." She uttered the last ob
servation In a loud voice, and it bad
Its effect, for the leader came to her
side with long strides.
"Convince your servant that we mean
no harm, vour highness," he said eager
ly, a new defereuee in his voice and
manner. "We have only the best of
motives in mind. True, the hills are
full of lawless fellows, and we are
obliged to fight them almost daily, but
you have fallen In with honest men
very nice gentlemen, I trust. Less than
an hour ago we put a band of robbers
to flight"
"I heard the shooting," cried Bever
ly. "It was that which put my escort
to flight."
cfsion in her eyes, the mute appeal,
"Trust nie. your highness," he said
gravely, and she allowed him to hand
her into the coach.
A moment later he was upon the
driver's box, reins in hand. Calling out
to his companions in a language
atrance to Beverly, he cracked the
Alas, I must eonfess lt. And yet
there is shelter bere. Come with me.
Let your servant follow." He took her
bv the hand and led her away irom
the coach, a ragged lantern bearer
preceding. Beverly's little right hand
was rigidly clutching the revolver In
ir nocket. It was a capacious pocket,
and the muzzle of the weapon bored
defiantly into a timid powder rag that
lay on the bottom. Tbe little leatner
nnrse from which it escaped bad its
silver lips opened as if in a broad grin
of derision, reveling In the plight of
..,, .,! onna more thev were lum- the chamois. The guide s nana was at
irin- nvpr the wretched road. Bever- once Arm and gentle, bis stride bold.
, "t i.i, it the seat with a deeo yet easy. His rakish hat. with its ag
sigh of resignation
Well, I'm in for lt," she tliougut.
"It doesn t matter whether tney are
thieves or angels, I reckon I'll have to
take what comes. He doesn't look very
much like an angel, but he looked at
me just now as if he thought I were
one. Dear me, I wish I were back la
Washin'ton!"
CHAPTER V.
WO of the men walked close be
side the door, one of them bear
ing a lantern. They conversed
In low tones and lu a language
which Beverly could not understand.
After awhile she found herself analyz
ing the garb and manner of the men.
She was saying to herself that here
were her first real specimens of Grau
stark peasantry, and they were to
mark an ineffaceable spot in her mem
ory. They were dark, strong faced men
of medium height, with fierce biaelt
eyes and long black hair. As no two
were dressed alike, it was impossible
to recognize characteristic styles of at
tire. Some were in the rude, baggy
costumes of the peasant as she had
imagined him; others were dressed in
the tljrht fitting but dilapidated unl
"They" could not have been soldiers forms of the soldiery, while several
of Graustark, then, your highness,
quite gallantly
"They were Cossacks, or whatever
you call them. But pray, why Uo you
call me 'your highness?" " demanded
Beverly. The tall leader swept tne
trrouud with his hat once more.
"All the outside world Knows uie
Princess Yetlve why not the humble
mountain man? You will pardon me.
were in clothes partly European and
Dartly oriental. There were bats and
lezzes and caps, some with feathers In
tbe bands, others without Tbe man
nearest the coach wore the dirty gray
uniform of an army officer, full of
holes and rents, while another strode
aloug in a pair of baggy yellow trou
sers and a dusty London dinner Jacket
All In all, it was the motliest band of
but every man In the hills knows that vagabonds she had ever seen. There
you are to pass through on the way were at least ten or a dozen in the par
from St Petersburg to Ganlook. We ty. While a few carried swords, all
are not bo far from the world, after lugged the long rifles aud crooked dag
all, we rough people of the hills. We gera 0f the Tartars,
know that your highness left St Te- "Aunt Fanny." Beverly whispered,
tersburg by rail last Sunday and took 8uddeuiy moving to the side of the sub-
to the highway uay Derore jesieruu, dued servnnt, "where is my revolver?"
because the floods bad washed away
the bridges north of Axphalu. Even
the hills have eyes and ears."
It bad come to ber like a flash that a
subsequent emergency should not find
her unprepared. Aunt Fanny's Jaw
gresslve red feather, towered a full
head above Beverly's Parisian violets.
"Have you no home at all no house
In which to sleep?" Beverly asked.
"I live in a castle of air," said he,
unvins his baud gracefully. "I Bleep
in the house of my fathers."
"You poor fellow," cried Beverly
pityingly. He laughed and absently
natted the hilt of his sword.
She heard the men behind them turn
in it the coach into the glen through
which they walked carefully. Her feet
fell uoon a soft, grassy sward, and the
clatter of stones was now no longer
heard. They were among the shad
wv trees. Kaunt trunks of enormous
nlze loomlnar up in the light of the lan
terns. Uncousclously her thoughts
went over to the forest of Arden and
the woodland home of Rosalind, as she
had imagined lt to be. Soon there
came to her ears the swish of waters,
as of some turbulent river hurrying
by. Instinctively she drew back, and
her eves were set with alarm upon the
black wall of night ahead. Yetlve had
spoken more than once of this wilder
ness. Many an unlucky traveler bad
len lost forever in Its fastnesses,
"It la the river, your highness. There
la no daueer. I will not lead you into
It" he said, a trifle roughly. "We are
low in the valley, aud there are
marshes yonder when the river Is In
its natural bed. The floods have cover-
k! tbe low grounds, and tbere is a tor
rent coming down from tbe hills. Here
w .re vour hiehness. This is the Inn
f the Hawk and Raven."
He bowed and pointed with his hat
to the smoldering fire a short distance
ahead. They bad turned a bend in the
overhanging cliff and were very close
to the retreat before sbe saw tne glow.
The fire was in the open air and di
rectly In front of a deep cleft In the
nwkT background. Judging by the
sound the river could not be more thaa
"00 feet away. Men came up with
lanterns and others piled brush upon
the fire. In a very short time the glen
weirdly illuminated by the danc-
Inx flames. From her seat on the huge
"And it has been a delight to inter-
. i A.-t ni 4t.wt
est you," he respouueu. xou win uuu
seclusion there, and you need see none
of us until it pleases you.
She looked him fairly in the eye for a
moment and then Impulsively extended
her hand. He clasped it warmly, but
not without some show of surprise.
I am trusting you Implicitly,' she
said.
The knave Is glorified," was his
simple rejoinder, lie conducted uer
to the improvised bedchamber, Aunt
Knnnv followiui! with loyal but UU'
certain tread. "I regret, your high
ness. that tbe conveniences are so few.
We have no landlady except Mother
Earth, no waiters, no porters, no maids,
lu the Inn of the Hawk and Raven,
This being a men's hotel, the baths are
on tbe river front. I am having water
brought to your apartments, however,
but lt Is with deepest shame and sor
row that I confess we have uo towels."
She laughed so heartily that his face
brightened perceptibly, while the faces
of his men turned In their direction as
though by concert
It Is a typical mountain resort
then," she said. "I think I can man
age very well if you will fetch my
bags to my room, sir."
"By the way, will you have dinner
served in your room?" very good hu-
moredly.
"If you dou't mind, I'd like to eat In
the public dining room," said she. A
few minutes later Beverly was sitting
upon one of her small trunks, and Aunt
Fanny was laboriously brushing ber
dark hair.
It's very Jolly being a princess,"
murmured Miss Calhoun. Sbe bad
bathed ber face lu one of the leather
buckets from the coach, and the dust
of the road bad beeu brushed away by
the vigorous lady In waiting,
"Yaas, ma'am, Miss yo' highness,
bit's monstrous fine fo' yo', but whar
la Ah goln' to sleep? Out youdah wlf
all dose scalawags?" said Aunt Fanny
rebelllously
"You 6ball have a bed In here, Aunt
Fanny," said Beverly,
"Dey's de queeres lot o' tramps Ah
even did see, an' Ah wouldn' trust 'em
as fer as Ah could heave a brick
house."
"But tbe leader is such a very courte
ous gentleman," remonstrated Beverly
"Yaas, ma'am; he niussa came f'm
Gawgla or Kaiutuck," was Aunt Fan
ny's sincere compliment
The pseudo princess dined with the
vagabonds that night She sat on the
log beside tbe tall leader and ate
heartily of the broth and broiled goat
meat tbe grapes and the nnts, and
drank of the spring water, which took
the place of wine and coffee and cor
dial. It was a strange supper amid
strange environments, but she enjoyed
It as she bad never before enjoyed a
meal. Tbe air was full of romavce
and danger, and her Imagination wi?,
enthralled. Everything was so new
hAit nnrlrfit and strained her eyes to
to tiieree the mysterious darkness. Aunt
kanny. on her bed of grass, stirred
convulsively, but did not awake. rJbe
blackness of the strange chamber was
broken ever and anon by faint flashes
of lluht from without, and she lived
through loug minutes of terror before
it dawned upon her that a tnunaer-
storm was brewing. The wind was
rlslne. and the night seemed agog w!tn
excitement. Beverly crept from her
couch and felt her way to the fluttering
doorway. Drawing aside the blanket,
she peered forth into the night, her
heart jumping with terror. Iter uign
ness was very much afraid of thunder
and lightning.
The lire in the open had died down
until naught remained but a few glow
lug embers. These were blown into
brilliancy by the wind, casting a steady
red light over the scene. There was
but one human figure In sight. Beside
the fire stood the tall wanderer. He
was hatless and coatless, aud his arms
were folded across bis chest. Seeming
ly oblivious to the approach of the
storm he stood staring Into the heap of
ashes at his feet. His face was toward
her, every feature plainly distinguish
able in the faint glow from the fire. To
her amazement the black patch was
missing from his eye, aud, what sur
prised her almost to the point of ex
claiming aloud, there appeared to be
absolutely no reason for its presence
there at any time. There was uo mark
or blemish upon or about the eye. It
was as clear and penetrating as Its
fellow, darkly gleaming In the red glow
from below. Moreover, Beverly saw
that he was strikingly handsome a
strong, manly face. The highly im
aginative southern girl's mind reverted
to tbe first portraits of Napoleon she
bad seen.
Suddenly he started, threw up bis
bead and, looking up to the sky, utter
ed some strange words. Then be strode
She saw him throw hit mtty i
tbe sovereignty of tba wtad;
roared with the ruuiblts ot i c
chariots, and then tbe sky lnj t
earth met lu one of those MjSgt
fllcts that make all other wartiR,
as play.
As Beverly sank back from them. (
she saw blin throw his ammlonu
though Inviting the elements to iab
themselves aud their euergj uponis'
head. She shrieked InvolunUtlli !
be heard the cry above the ar
Instantly his ruce was turned l k
direction.
"Help! Help!" she cried. Hetw
ed toward the swlahiug rotat
blankets, but bis impulse had te
rival In the blast. Like a flash then:
of the guest chamber were 1&,
away, scuttling off iuto the tl
back into the depths of the
With the deluge came the man. K.
among the stilling robes he unit
her up aud bore her away, she tat
not whither.
CHAPTER VL
AY all storms be at plea
as this one!" Beverly bet,
some one say with I k
laugh. The next InstaU
l, .... i
Was placed SOUUUiy Uiuu uer im i
blinding Bash of lightning re?esMI
dos, the goat hunter, at her side, i
dozen shadowy figures were KB
b'lng to their feet in all corner
Dawk and Raven. Some one it
clutching her by the dress at the to
She did not have to look aownoit
that it was Aunt I anny.
"Goodness!" gasped Beverly, u
then It was pitch dark again. Thm
at her side called out a command to
wn language and then turned m
close to hers.
"Do not be alarmed. We ires
safe now. The royal bedenamta;
come to grief, however, I am w
say. What a fool I was not to
foreseen all this! The storm has k
brewing since uiidnight" bewail
ing to her. , , ,
Tn't lt awful?" cried BetoV;.
tween a moan and a shriek. i
"They are trifles arter out v
to them." he said. "IMvecw.-
nuite at home in tne wuf
are other thiugs much more
I assure your highness W .
lights in a moment
two or three lauiema
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
. i
Portland-
I M- 3-
j.ortlan i
i Miss Mi
t1(,r sister I
j Mrs. If
jaiigl,tor'
i Senate v
;cnool as i
?rnm0Ilt
f Many n
jtructfld ii
svorkg00
; 0. A.
his '
I During
this pla
jorthewi
i KcwtP
ittend thi
ber of tUt
? Mrs. B
returned
has been
I Mrs. W
have reti
lock, aft
Horse
the hom
who hai
krses I'
i Revlv
13, cond
fortlani
With the
I A sen
Ii as bee
benefit '
irnnien
W. I
i6WlSf
some V'
gates a
ful In (
I Newi
The
since 1
I The
porth
1 Will
City b
r. TnnTT,AND. Otl
Pays SicK Benefits of I
$50 per month.
abruptly toward her doorway. She pnvs Accident BeWi'
fell back breathless. He stopped Just nw ,;.
outside, aud she knew that he was Jfjet according to OCC U
;$ Fees
Pay3 Surgeon
No Medical
listening for sounds from within. Aft
er many minutes she stealthily looked
twiui ugum, tic nan a tauuiug ucat f ,i
fire, his back toward her, looking off D Funeral EXP5""
into the uteht rays K us
The wind was growing stronger. The frnm fcl00 to $150.
ui lauueu LUC Ulgui llliu a IU3U VA I
shivery coolness. Constant Bickerings!
Of lightning illuminated the forest,
transforming the treetops into great J va $5 .00, F
black waves. Tall reeds aloni? the rlv- Vlom ifll'S IIP 1 ct T i-f i"
a , A, , V.. a .
" 6" i I n Kip onlv iLC v
Bwln? themsplvps e-ontlv tn nnrl frnm I aul,J . .11 rrfT 3"
the wind. In the lowlands down from PueS,f -) a, '
the cave wlll-o'-the-wlsps played tag ttr "IT ITfll l6ff
with Jack-o'-lauterns, merrily scamper- f t
lng atiout in the blackness, remind
ing ber of tbe revelers In a famous
Brocken scene. Low moans grew out
of the havoc, and voices seemed to
speak in unintelligible whispers to the
agitated twigs and leaves. The se
crets of tbe wind were being spread
upon the records of the night Tales
tt m a T nllniAa l.u.ir.ti tllA I
u v uiouj .nmca jjaoacu uirvugu tue i
fvears of Nature.
Dallas, Oregon.
asi unreal that she scarcely could be- Wit-js ",' unduu tlnna tba marab
i