Beverly of Graustark

ssians, one holding the reins, the other lying back in a lazy doze. The month was June and all the world seemed soft and sweet and joyous. To the right flowed a turbulent mountain stre

ace of the young woman who tried to find comfort in one of the broad seats. Since early morn she had struggled with the hardships of that seat, and the late afternoon found her very much out of patience. The opposite seat was the resting place of a substantial colored woman and a s

y, even humbly. The man was very deliberate with his English. He had been recommended to

t," he managed to inform h

sighed, "a who

advice was lost in the wrathful exclamation that accompanied another dislodgment of bags and boxes. The wheels of the c

Fanny's mistress, petulantly. "I'm black and b

' monstrous bad road, sho 'nough. Stay up dar, will y

knew at the outset that the quest would be hopeless, but she could think of no bett

t," she said, beaming a

decent hotel in the

t deal, either. She learned that the town of Balak was in Axphain, scarcely a mile from the Graustark line. There

terrors. Her bed was not a bed; it was a torture. The room, the table, the-but it was all too odious for description. Fatigue was her only friend in that miserable hole. Aunt Fanny had slept on the floor near her mistress's cot, and

Hurry along here and get me up. We must leave this abominable

'?" demanded Au

anny, is that all

out breakfas' 'long to'ahds 'leben o'clock. Dat li'l

eakfast for us and we'll eat it on the road. I positively refuse to eat

k because of a royal edict from Edelweiss forbidding the nearer approach of armed forces. At that town, however, he was sure she easily could obtain an escort of Graustarkian soldiers. As the big coach crawled up the mountain road and further into the oppressive solitudes, Beverly Calhoun drew from the difficult lieutenant considerable information concerning the state of affairs in Graustark. She had been eagerly awaiting the time when something definite could be learned. Before leaving St. Petersburg early in the week she was assured that a state of war did not exist. The Princess Yetive had been in Edelweiss for six weeks. A formal demand was framed soon after her return from America, requiring Dawsbergen to surrender the person of Prince Gabriel to the authorities of Graustark. T

rince Dantan, was still hiding in the fastnesses of the hills, protected by a small company of nobles, and there was no hope that he ever could

s time?" demanded Beverly Calhoun, in perplexity and wr

inians have hated Graustark since the last war, and the princess despises this American. It is an open fact that the Duke of Mizrox leads the opposition to Prince

d Beverly, warmly. The officer did not und

muttered to the

niable sensation of awe creeping over her. The brave, impetuous girl had plunged gaily into the proje

Looking from the coach windows out upon the quiet, desolate grandeur of her surroundings, poor Beverly began to appreciate how abjectly helpless and alone she was. Her companions were ugly, vicious-looking men, any one of whom could inspire terror by a look. She had entrusted herself to the ca

ect from the frontier patrol authorities. Men high in power had vouched for the integrity of the detachment, but all this was forg

These men could not help knowing that she was rich, and it was reasonable for them to suspect that she carried money and jewels with her. In her mind's eye she could p

e road. As the coach penetrated deeper into the gorge, signs of human life and activity became fewer. The sun could not send his light into this shadowy tomb of granite. The

re they were to spend the night. It was far past noon and Aunt Fanny had suggested opening the lu

twenty miles," he said, "and

e must not let these men see that she was apprehensive. Her voice was a trifle shrill and her eyes glistened with a stra

f horsemen they had seen, Beverly confided to the old negress that she was frightened almost out of her boots, but that she'd die before the men should see a sign of cowardice in a Calhoun. Aunt

' money an' clo'es and ev'ything else we done got about us. Good Lawd, le's tu

you see we can't turn back? It's just as dangerous and a heap sight more so. If we let on we're

unt Fanny, with e

at all sure about it. "And they look like real nice men

h Ah eveh did see,"

hem hear you," w

was compelled to smile. It was all so like

s pale in the shadowy light of the

ws from the front?" sh

ance guard has met a party of hunters from Axphain. They insist that you-'the fine lady in the coach'-are the Princ

oo incredible to believe. It was actually ludicr

he Princess through these wilds, are preparing to intercept her. A large detachment of soldiers are already across the Graustark frontier. It is only a question of time before the 'red legs' will be upon them. I have assured them that their beautiful charge is not the Princess, but an American g

Ganlook. I have no money or valuables with me; but there I can obtain plenty," said B

dangerous, was certainly most annoying. But if Beverly could have read the mind of that silent figure on the box, she would have felt slightly relieved, for he was infinitely more anxious to proceed than even she; but from far different reasons. He was a Russian

s refuse to proceed. See! They are going off with their countrymen! We are lost without them. I do not know what to do. We c

pistol on the high pommel of the saddle. Their faces wore an ugly look. As they passed

nd convincing. They

in rage and despair. "I must go on! Is i

aising his cap to her, commanded at the same time the d

" demanded Bev

ozen shots were fired, and reverberated down

r. Turning quickly, he saw the deserting horsemen halt, listen a minute, and then spur their

ling himself firmly on the seat, taking a fresh grip of the reins, he yelled to his horses, at the same time lashing them furiously with his whip, and started the coach ahea