Beverly of Graustark

was smiling down upon the valley the night had ravaged while he was on the other side of the earth. The leaves of the trees were a softe

from the surprisingly peaceful slumber into which perfect health had sent her not so many hour

Fanny was putting her hair into presentable shape. "And an energet

verly-an'-Ah-Ah got mah suspicions," said Aun

ful thing into the riv

hit!" said Aunt

or the whole world." Aunt Fanny came back a few minutes later with the assurance that they were

ly, jamming a hat pin throug

ectably skun,

an the anim

nothin' happened. He says to me 'at we staht on ouah way jes' as

aten? Am I the only o

ve

ess. Ah'm as hungry as

good-for-nothing little-Come on, Aunt Fanny; we haven't a min

itting with his back against a tree, his right arm in a sli

highness, I am much too awkward this morning to act as befitting

herself whether it would be quite good form to shake hands with the reclining hero. In the glare of the broad dayligh

ble fare, your highness,-the la

not a bit

u, but equally unreasonable.

d gaily. "Oh, you needn't laugh. I know it hurts. You say we cannot reach Ganlook before to-morrow? Well, we can't stop

long fast. We may go until nightfall without food. The g

ion of picking a bone with her pretty fingers teeth.

e. "I wish you would re

hated disguise. A chance

glance at his long legs. The trousers had been rudely sewed up a

The bandages are skilfully placed," he added,

is eyes gleamed with the joy of her beauty and his heart thumped with a most unruly admiration

gave incomprehensible directions to the driver and to the escort, and would listen to none of his protestations. When the clumsy vehicle was again in the highway and bumping over the ridges of

her face flushed and eager. Baldos, from his serene position on the cushions, watched her with kindling eyes. The grizzled driver grinned and shook his head despairingly.

your highness, and he will be sure t

ospital," she said confusedly. Baldos gave a few jovial instructions, and then the ragg

oat-hunters I have ever seen,"

perfect English I've e

now I had a-a tutor," she hastily explained. "Don't you think it strange w

t out of the w

she cried, looking at him intently. "

or," he answ

e sighed. "I don't believe that

should have starved long ago,"

a princess, and the next as if I were a child. Humb

of the deference due

" she exclaimed. "I believe you are a comic-o

ly outcast,

ed to take you in

said firmly, "That cannot be.

comma

even at Ganlook. I may as well confess that I am a hunted

asped, involuntaril

hills of Graustark, the plateaus of Axphain and the valleys of Dawsbergen are alive with men who are bent on ending my unhappy but

dear me, you don't look like

your highness. In return for what service I may have performed for you, I implore you to question me no f

ching his injured arm gently. "Will you

love it so that I pray it may neve

hunting you to the death. Then-then your fault must be a grievous one. Have

in she shrank into the corner of the coach. "History says that your

thinking of Maj

perhaps, as I have

illed a man!" cried Be

ty prowess on the field of batt

emembering that she w

ee. You are not a-a-a

een a soldier

uld-would a pardon be of any especial benefit to you?" she asked,

deep reflection. "Your highness left the castle ten days ago," he said, dismissing himself as a

new that she had sent a message to the Princess Yetive, apprising her of her arriv

n frontier in conference with representatives from Serros. He

o me," murmu

I fancy it is not a dangerous mission, although Pri

ence in Mr. Lorry," said

e, is in these mountains watching the o

e very well po

ot wish to alarm your highness, but we may as well expect trouble before we come to the Ganlook gates Yo

xclaimed. "Uncle Sam would

? I'm afraid he could do but little against

to press her for explanations. "But, he is a long way off and couldn't do much if we were suddenly attacked from ambus

rly helpless. Volga could demand anything she lik

used Beverly reflectively. He did not know what she meant, but regar

at Yetive might not be in Edelweiss. According to all reports, she had lately been in St. Petersburg and the mere fact that she was supposed to be traveling by coach was sufficient pro

r. As he studied her face he could not but lament that marriage, at least, established a barrier between her and the advances his bold heart might otherwi

its princess-before," she said, laying groundwork for enqu

g in Graustark. Besides, it is said that half the

much smaller than I imagined. I have not vis

day before yesterday. He learned that you were to reach that city within for

id Beverly, very

you through by the lower and more hazardous way. It was our luck that you came by the wrong

he, intent upon the one su

time have left Labbot for the town of Erros, a half-day's journey from Ganlook. Instead of vagabonds, your esco

une," she said earnestly. "By the way, are you in

as your highness m

his name?" she paused, lo

nta

s become of him? I am te

fugitive,

ured him, then? Go

ttle or no interest

uld have forgotten his

d Beverly, remembering who she was supposed to

t little of his own country when he was called to the throne two years ago. Y

his history-a very little, to

ho was a Polish countess. After her death, when Gabriel was two years old, the prince marrie

you know so much more about

d was ever interested in the doings of royalt

Beverly, her heart swelling with tender thoug

e was perplexed until she recalled the stories of

handsome as they sa

," he replied. "I, for one, do not

dered 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 expectations, the Axphainians 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 Axphaini

ck in the hunt for food. Daybreak saw them on their way once more. Hunger and dread had worn down Beverly's supply of good spirits; she was having difficulty 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

misfortune came that Beverly observed the flushed condition of his face. Involuntarily and with the compassion of a true woman she touched his hand and brow. They were burning-hot. The

tting of the sun. "Soon you may be relieved of

ve once more, now that the worst part of the journey was coming to a