Polk County observer., January 25, 1907, Image 2

BEVERLY OF
GRAUSTARK
By GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEON.
Author .1 "Gnuiterk"
Copyright, mk, by Dodd, tltad and Company
surreptitiously lifted were unusa&U
(tensive.
"It la strange that you live In Gran
stark and Lave not seen its princess
before," she said, laying groundwork
for Inquiry concerning the acts and
whereabouts of the real princess.
'May It please your highness, I have
not lived long In Graustark. Besides,
It Is said that half the people of Gan
look have never looked upon your
face."
"I'm not surprised at that The pro
portion Is much smaller than I Imag
ined. I have not visited Ganlook,
strange as It may seem to you."
"One of my company fell In with
some of your guards from the Ganlook
garrison day before yesterday. He
learned that you were to reach that
city within forty-eight hours. A large
detachment of men has been sent to
meet you at Labbot."
"Oh, Indeed," said Beverly, very
much Interested.
"They must have been misinformed
as to your route or else your Russian
escort decided to take you through by
the lower and more hazardous way.
It was our luck that you came by the
wrong road. Otherwise we should not
have met each other, and the lion," he
said, smiling reflectively.
"Where is Labbot?" asked she, in
tent upon the one subject uppermost in
her mind.
"In the mountains many leagues
north of this pass. Had you taken that
route Instead of this you would by this
time have left Labbot for the town of
Erros, a half day's journey from Gan
look. Instead of vagabonds your es
cort would have been made up of loyal
soldiers, well fed, well clad and well
satisfied with themselves at least."
"But no braver, no truer than my
soldiers of fortune," she said earnestly.
"By the way, are you Informed as to
the state of affairs in Dawsbergen?"
"Scarcely as well as your highness
must be," he replied.
"The young prince what's his
name?" she paused, looking to him for
the name.
"Dantan?"
"Yes, that's it What has become of
him? I am terribly Interested In him."
"He Is a fugitive, they say."
"They haven't captured him, then?
Good! I am so glad!"
Baldos exhibited little or no interest
In the fresh topic.
"It Is strange you should have for
gotten his name," he said wearily.
"Oh, I do so many ridiculous things!"
complained Beverly, remembering who
sue was supposed to be. "I nave never
seen him, you know." she added.
"It Is not strange, your highness. He
was educated In England and had seen
bnt little of bis own country when he
was called to the throne two years ago.
You remember of course that his moth
er was an Englishwoman, Lady Ida
Falconer."
"I I think I have heard some of his
history. A very little, to be sure," she
explained lamely. .
"Prince Gabriel, his half brother, Is
the son of Prince Louis III. by his
first wife, who was a Polish countess.
After, her death, when Gabriel was
two years old, the prince marrlod Lady
Ida. Dantan Is their sou. He has a
sister, Candace, who Is but nineteen
years of age."
"I am ashamed to confess that you
know so much more about my neigh
bors than I," she said.
"I lived In Dawsbergen for a little
while and was ever interested In the
doings of royalty. That is a poor man's
privilege, you know."
"Prince Gabriel must be a terrible
man," cried Beverly, her heart swelling
with tender thoughts of the exiled Dan
tan and his little sister.
"You have cause to know," said he
shortly, and she was perplexed until
she recalled the stories of Gabriel's
misdemeanors at the court of Edel
weiss. "Is Prlice Dantan as handsome as
they say he Is?" she asked.
"It is entirely a matter of opinion,"
he replied. "I for one do not consider
him at all prepossessing."
The day went on, fatiguing, distress
ing in its length and- Its happenings.
Progress was necessarily 6low, the
perils of the road Increasing as the
little cavalcade wound deeper and
deeper Into the wilderness. There were
times when the coach fairly crawled
along the edge of a precipice, a pro
ceeding so hazardous that Beverly
shuddered as If in a chill. Aunt Fanny
slept serenely most of the time, and
Baldos took to dreaming with his eyes
wide open. Contrary to her expecta
tions, the Axphaluians did not appear,
and If there were robbers In the hills
they thought better than to attack the
valorous looking party. It dawned
upon her finally that the Axphaluians
were guarding the upper route and not
the one over which she was traveling.
Yetive doubtless was approaching Gan
look over the northern pass, provided
the enemy had not been encountered
before Labbot was reached. Beverly
soon found herself fearing for the
safety of the princess, a fear which at
last became almost unendurable.
Near nightfall they came upon three
Graustark shepherds and learned that
Ganlook could not be reached before
the next afternoon. The tired, hungry
travelers spent the night In a snug
little valley through which a rivulet
bounded ouward to the river below.
The supper was a scant one, the fora
irers havlnu noor luck In the hunt for
food. Daybreak saw them on their ,
nitnn tllrtPfl ilnneer and dread i
had worn down Beverly's supply of
good spirits: she was having dliUculty
in keeping the haggard, distressed look
from her face. Her tender, hopeful
eyes were not so bold or so merry as
on the day before; cheerfulness cost
her an effort, but she managed to keep
it fairly alive. Her escort, wretched
and half starved, never forgot the def
erence due to their charge, but strode
steadily on with the doggedness of
martyrs. At times she was impelled to
disclose her true identity, but dlscre
m (,; ti.iit .l.Tcutiou was her
IIOU LUI uv -
best safeguard.
i ntfl iii the afternoon or me siwm.
day the front axle of the couch snap
ped in two, and a tedious delay of two
hours ensued. Baldos was sircuiBj '
lent and subdued. It was not until the
misfortune came that Beverly observ
ed the flushed condition of his face.
T....,.i.,t..riii- mill with the compassion
of a true woman, she touched his hand
and brow. They were burning uoi.
The wounded man was in a high fever.
He laughed at her fears and scoffed at
the prospect of blood poisoning and the
hundred other possibilities that sug
gested themselves to her anxious
brain.
"We are close to Ganlook," he said,
with the setting of the sun. "Soon you
may be relieved of your tiresome,
cheerless company, your highness."
"You are going to a physician," she
said resolutely, alive and active once
more, now that the worst part of the
journey was coming to an end. "Tell
that man to drive in a gallop all the
rest of the way."
CHAPTER VIII.
TTY this time they were passing
2 I the queer little huts that mark-
ed the outskirts of a habitable
U rviinmunitv. These were the
Rhenherds. hunters and oth
ers whose vocations related especial
ly to the mountains. Farther on there
were signs of farming interests; the
homes became more numerous and
more pretentious in appearance. The
rnnU lined irorsre broadened into a fer
tile valley; the road was smooth and
level, a condition which afforded relief
to the travelers. Itavoue had once
more dressed the wounds inflicted by
the lion, but he was unable to provide
anything to subdue the fever. Baldos
was undeniably ill. Beverly, between
her exclamations of joy and relief at
being in sight of Ganlook, was profuse
In her expressions of concern for the
hero of the Hawk and Kaven. The
feverish gleam In his dark eyes and
the pain that marked his face touched
her deeply. Suffering softened his lean,
sun browned features, obliterating the
mocking lines that had Impressed her
so unfavorably at the outset. She was
saying to herself that he was hand
some after a most unusual cast; it was
an unforgettable face.
"Your hurhuess." he said earnestly,
. . . iniif nna anxiou3-
nfter she nau iuu
at his half closed eyes, -we .J w Iflj
a an hour of Ganlook. It will dark
hlfore we reach the gates. I know,
be! ore we .,..., fr during
SSo XK'FraihaU drive
ton to the sentry post and turn over
Worses to. your own men. My
Suds and I must
end of the mountain road We aw
.Ridiculous!" she cried. I not
nermlt it! You must go to n hospital.
P " f I enter the Ganlook gates It will
be the same as entering the gates of
death " he protested.
.Nonsense! You have a fever or you
wouldn't talk like that I can promise
you absolute security."
"You do not understand, your high
ness." , a a
"Nevertheless, you are going to a
hospital." she firmly said. "You wou d
die out here In the wilds, so what a e
the odds either way? Aunt Fanny, will
you be careful? Don't you know that
the least movement of those bags hurts
him?"
"Please do not mind me, your high
ness. I am doing very well." he said,
smiling. . . o
The coach brought up In front of a
roadside Inn. While some of the men
were watering the horses others gath
ered about its open wiudow. A con-
, t i
Aunt Fanny, will you be careful t"
versation in a tongue utterly lncompre
heuslble to Beverly took place between
Rnlilos and his followers. The latter
seemed to be disturbed about some
thing, and there was no mistaking the
solicitous air with which they regard
ed their leader. The pseudo princess
was patient as long as possible and
then broke into the discussion.
"What do they want?" she demand
ed in English.
"They are asking for Instructions,"
he answered.
"Instruct them to do as I bid," she
said. "Tell them to hurry along and
got you a doctor; that's an."
Evidently his friends were of the
same opinion, for after a long harangue
m which ho was obdurate to the lust
thev left the carriage, and he sank
back with a groan of dejection
"What is It?" she anxiously demand-
""'They also Insist that 1 shall go to a
urgeon," he said hopelessly. His eyes
were moist, and he could not meet her
eftZe She was full of exultation.
"They have advised me to put myself
under your protection, shameless at
that may seem to a man. You and you
alone have the power to protect me If
I pass beyond the walls of Ganlook."
I?" she cried, all a-flutter.
.I ..niil not thrust my head Into the
jaws of death unless tho princess of
Graustark were there to stay their
fnrv Your royal hand alone can turn
aside the Inevitable. Alas. I am help.
less and know not what to uo:
Beverly Calhoun sat very stnugiu anu
silent beside the inisguiueu msuuoh.
After all, It was not within nor power
.....t,,.t liiin. She was not the prin-
cess, and she had absolutely no Influ
ence in Ganlook. me autiionwes mere
could not be deceived as had boon these
Ignorant men of the hills, ir Hhe lea
him Into the city It was decidedly prob
able that she might be taking blni to
his death. She could only petition, not
command. Once at Yetlve's side she
was confident she could save the man
who had done so much for her, but
Ganlook was many miles from Edel
weiss, and there was no assurance that
intervention could be obtained In time.
On the other hand, If he went back to the
hills he was likely to die of the poison
ous tever. Beverly was lu u most uu
happy state of mind. If she confessed
to him that she was not the princess
he would refuse to enter the gates of
Ganlook, and be perfectly justified in
doing so.
"But if I should fail?" she asked at
last, a shiver rushing over her and
leaving her cold with dread.
"You are the only hope, your high
ness. You had better say farewell to
Baldos and let him again seek the
friendly valley," said he wearily. "We
can go no farther. The soldiers must
be near, your highness. It means cap
ture if we go on. I cannot expose my
friends to the dangers. Let me be put
down here and do you drive on to
safety. I shall fare much better than
you think, for I am young and strong
aud"-
"No! I'll risk It!" she cried. "You
must go into the city. Tell them so,
and say that I will protect you with my
own life and honor."
Fever made him submissive. Her
eyes gave him confidence. Her voice
soothed his fears, If he possessed them.
Leaning from the window he called
his men together. Beverly looked on
In wonder as these strange men bade
farewell to their leader. Many of then)
were weeping, and most of them kissed
his hand. There were broken sen
anees. tear choked promlsi-s. nnxloua
"Where ,'"'.1)ar"ng1va.
dusk. 9th,,ya,VH
"Itai-k Int.. '
Poor follows ,. i0Uuta!iiMn
lif i,
i Kim.
1 fetfr.
"mi f
. TC miii t.. ..'
Starve?" hn,ii uf'
no muneyV eWh,spwe4B,H?
"We are pen,,, ,
tone,, fu the 8 V'ta
Overly k'uued ZU.
"ed to the flepJS ?aS
and one other Pli, g Ues' -
Without a word'
traveling bag aud a , S!l
PU''se. This sue "
of the student, lit '
Graustark MVfn. .Was ,
exchanged aZ. T1"
God ii
-od. He ilaX
two Stood n !,!,. '""Hi
1 I,,).. tl. , . 1 l6 COM .
;ited't ,t:?
lOOk. Old Krnnz , LOlfe
one of the eou.pauy k J J' k
leader to the vp L 1 to
"Well, we have left them
Baldos as though to
never see them again-neve r8J
again. And how true they b,1
"I Blinll send for them & ,
Uet Jo Ganlook, and I W
dons for then, all!8LeCFK
her compassion. Sj'-'
"No." he exclaimed fiercely; W
not to d sturb them. Better
should starve." u
Beverly was BulHcieatly subduet .
they drew nearer the city ratr
heart began to fall her. TMsI
life was lu her weak, Incapable C
and the time was nearlng rteu
must stand between him audita! ',
"Where are these vaunted solfc'
yours?" he suddenly asked, lnt ' '
irony In his voice. k t
"My soldiers?" she Bald faintly I
"Isu't It rather unusual that to fc
of trouble and uncertainty we fet
be able to approach within a Bik,;
one of your most Important cities t
out even so much as seeing ulP
of Graustark?" 'j
She felt that he was scoffing, tat '
mattered little to her. ' j
"It Is a bit odd, Isu't It?" she aj :
"Worse than that, your hlglu: ;
"I shall speak to Dangloss atatt '
she said serenely, and he looked e;
new surprise. Truly she was ai
am-,ijuai.y uiincess. I
(TO HE CONTINUED,)
5
CI 00 Tays tor the OBSERE
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advantage of this liberal offer, ;t
subscription to the Orhmiver must '
paid up to date. Subscribe now,
03
m
w
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m
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Pm
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$200.00 of Store Fix
tures for Sale Cheap.
C
NlfflOTH
We have not SOLD
OUT. Our stocK is
now being pacKed.
The cold weather has greatly interfered with our SALE. During this week we sold only half as much as we j
expected. To make up for this loss we are going to CUT DEEPER. There are many articles that would be a
handicap in Albany. These we have cut to prices that will sell them. Look over this list. There are many
El
more just as good bargains in the store. Store remains open while we are packing.
It;
$1.50 Water Set Pitcher, 6
glasses and tray
$1.50 China Sugar Bowl and
Cream Pitcher
250 envelopes for
Wall Mirrors 15 in. x 21 in.
Chop Plate 12 in. across,
Decorated German China
10c Passe Partout Binding
for Pictures, green, red
black or grey
Crepe Paper any color, roll
of 10 feet
20c Matted pictures, 16 x 26 in.
35c German China Plate, dec
orated in pink - -Tea
Spoons, Silveroid plate
on White Metal
Pocket Knives, choice of 50c
to $1.00, value for
2 at. Glass Water Pitcher
Salad Set Decorated German
China, large dish, 6 small ones
6
90c
95c
25c
54c
54c
- 7ic
6c
- 10c
for 95c
for 15c
40c
- 15c
- 73c
NEW GOODS
This week we received $200 of GermanChina
ordered for the Christmas trade. These
goods were 6 months in coming from the
factory making them two months late.
Rather thanreship them to Albany, we have
marked them at the EASTERN COST PRICE.
We will lose the freight from Baltimore, Md.
and you will buy at the Eastern cost. There
are over 500 pieces but they will go rapidly
at these prices.
Plates will sell from 25c to 40c Chop plates 12 inches across $1.25
Cups and Saucers - 40c Chocolate Sets, 6 cups and
Cracker Jars, the largest saucers and pot jar - $3.35
mouthed kind - - $1.25 Sugar and Creamer - $1.00
35c Kid Body Dolls, 12
inches long
15c fancy Handkerchiefs,
Your choice
75c China Cake plate with
Fancy Rose or Pearl
Tinted patterns -
40c and 50c China Cups and
Saucers, 25 different
decorations
$4.00 Salad Sets, 1 bowl and
6 small dishes 6 different
patterns now
$6.00 fancy Parlor Lamps, 3
different patterns left -
35c Bohemian glass vases,
fancy shapes and deco
rations - -
40c Tea or coffee pots 1 pt
graniteware, now
. 20c
2 for 15c
. 49c
. 28c
$2.48
. $4.00
23c
. 28c
I
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