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CHAPTER VIII. fSTYr this time they were passing J |? I the queer little huts that raark 1 ill ed the outskirts of a habitable community. These were the Moines of shepherds, hunters and oth? ers whose vocations related especial? ly to the mountains. Farther on there "were signs of farming interests; the ?tozaes became more numerous and Score pretentious in appearance. The rock tined gorge broadened into a fer-? t?e valley; the road was smooth and ?eveL a condition which afforded relief t? the travelers. Ravone had once more -fessed the wounds inflicted by the lion, but he was unable to provide ?rryfhing to subt ue 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 tiero of the Hawk and Raven. The feverish-gleam in his dark eyes and the pain that marked his face touched tier 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 come after a most unusual cast; it was ?n unforgettable face. "Your highness," he said earnestly, rafter she had looked long and anxious tj at his half closed eyes, "we are with? in, an hour of Ganlook. It will be dark before we reach The. gates, i know, but you have nothing to fear during the rest of the trip. Franz shall drive ;ye?a to the sentry post and turn over ^the horses to your own men. My friends and I must leave you at the ?wwi of the mountain road. We-are"* Ridiculous !" she cried. 'T? not permit lt! You must go to a hospital.'' "IT I enter the Ganlook gates it will be the same as entering the gates of ^teath," he protested. Nonsense! Yeto have a fever or you "Wftftdtft talk like that I can promise you absolute security." *T?Q do not understand, your high- | *35tevertheless, you are going to a I %?p?taV she firmly ?aid. "You would j <?te eut here lu the wilds, so what are I rthe odds 'either way? Aunt Fanny, will 1 jpro he -careful? Don't you know that tbe least movement ot those bags hurts .Please do not -m+nrf me, your high? ness. I am doing very well," he said, ?szeffing. X&e<cdt^h brought up in front of a "teadslde inn. While some of the men "were watering the horses, others gath? ered about its open window. A con '"Aunt Fanny, will you be careful ? " "seesation In a tongue utterly incompre tasasibie to Beverly took place between ; BsOdos and his followers. The latter j to be disturbed about: some- j tbing, and there was no mistaking the SfcScitous air with which they regard? ed their leader. The pseudo princess 'was patient as long as possible and tSsesL broke into the discussion. i .What do they want?* she demand? ai Ia English. j **They are asking for instructions," j Se answered. .?t?Struct them to do as I bid,"' she ' 'SB??. ~Tell them to hurry along and ?et you a doctor; that's all." Evidently his friends were of the ssme oi/h;:on.for after a long harangue ia which he was obdurate to the iast *Saey left the carriage, and he sank i?ck with a groan of dejection. ..What is it?" she anxiously demand? ai .They also insist that I shall go to a tncrgeor.."* he said hopelessly. His eyes 'Were tno'st. and he could not meet her gaze. Sile was full of exultation. ^Th?y have advised me to put myself vader your protection, shameless **? may seem to a man. You and you ?Jone have the power to protect me if & pass beyond the walls of Ganlook." T?" she cried, all a-flutter. **I could not thrust my he* ' into the 3*ws of death unless the princess of ^?raastark were there to stay their ?ary, Your royal band alone can rum %t?de the inevitable. Alas, I am help? less and know not what to do!" Beverly Calhoun sat very straight and patent beside the misguided Baldos. -?bS?er all. It was not within her power "fe S*?tect him. She was not the prin 'sess, $c&d she had absolutely no influ? ence m Ganlook. The authorities there not be deceived as had been these f Bl GEORGE BARR ignorant me?~6f the hT?ls. ~Tf she led bim into the city it was decidedly prob? able that she might be taking him to his death. She could only petition, not command. Once at Yetive'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 w as no assurance that intervention could be obtained in time. On the other hana, if he went back to the hills he was likely to die of the poison? ous fever. Beverly was in a most un? happy s cate of mind. If she confessed to him that she was not the. princess he would refuse to enter the'gates of Sanlook, and be perfectly justified in doing so. "But if I should fail?" she asked at ? ?ast a shiver rushing over her and I ?eaving her cold with dread. "You are the only hope, your high I ness. You had better say farewell to j 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 ?own here and do you drive on to safety. I shall fare much better than you think, for I am young and strong and" "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 them were weeping, and most of them kissed j fels hand. There were broken sen? tences, tear choked promises, anxious inquiries, and the parting was over. "Where are they going?" Beverly whispered as they moved away in the dusk. "Back_lcto the_mountains to starve, poor fellows. "God b? T2?d "To "Them, God be good to them," he half sobbed, his chin dropping to his breast He was trembling like a leaf. "Starve?" she whispered. "Have they no money?" "We are penniless," came in mumed tones from the stricken leader. Beverly leaned from the window and called to the departing ones. Bavone and one other reluctantly approached. Without a word she opened a small traveling bag and drew forth a heavy purse. This she pressed into the hand of the student It was filled with Grar.stark gawos, for which she had exchanged American gold in Russia. "God he with ?you!" she fervently i?ried. He kissed her hand, and the two stood aside to let the coach roll on into the dusky shadows that sep? arated them from the gates of Gan? look, old Frans still driving, the only one of tho company left to serve his leader to the very end. "Well, we have left them," muttered Baldos as though to himself. "I may never see them again-never see them again. And how true they have been!" 'T shall send for them the moment I get to Ganlook, and I'll promise par? dons for them all!" she cried rashly in her compassion. "No," he exclaimed fiercely > "you are not to disturb them. Better that they should starve." Beverly was sufficiently subdued. As j they drew nearer the city gates her heart began to fail her. This man's life was in her weak, incapable hands, and the time was nearing when she must stand between him and disaster. "Where are these vaunted soldiers of yours?" he suddenly asked, infinite irony in his voice. "My soldiers?" she said faintly. "Isn't it rather unusual that in time of trouble and uncertainty we should be able to approach within a mile of one of your most important cities with? out even so much as seeing a soldier of ^raustark?" She felt that he was scoSng, but it mattered little to her. "It is a bit odd, isn't it?" she agree;!. | "Worse than that, your highness." I "I shall speak to Dangloss about it." ! she said serenely, and he looked up in j new surprise. Truly she was an ex- ! traordinary princess. Fully three-quarters of an hour pass- i ed before the coach was checked. Bev- 1 erly, looking from the windows, had seen -the lighted windows of cottages growing closer and closer together. The barking of roadside dogs was the only sound that could be heard above the rattle of the wheels. It was too dark Inside the coach to see the face of Ihe mau beside her. but something told her t\: .* ho was staring intently into the night ; and anxious. The responsibility of her position swooped down upon her like an avalanche as she thought of what the next few min? utes were to bring forth. It was the sudden stopping of the coa^h and the sharp commands from the outside that told her probation was at an end. She cou 1<1 no longer speculate; it was high time to act "The outpost," came from Baidos, In strained tones. "Perhaps they won't know us-you, I mean, she whispered. "Baron Dangloss knows everybody/* be replied bitterly. I "What a horrid old basybody he she started to say, but :hought bet of it. A couple of lanterns flashed at 1 window, almost blinding her. At Fanny groaned audibly, but the figi of Baldos seemed to stiffen with < fiance. Uniformed men peered into t interoir with more rudeness and cu osity than seemed respectful to a pr cess, to say the least. They saw a pr ty, pleading face, with wide gray ey and parted lips, but they did not bc in humble submission, as Baldos h; expected. One of the men, evidently command, addressed Beverly in rou] but polite tones. It was a questi< that he asked, she knew, but she cou not answer him, for she could not u derstand him. "What do you want?" she put English, with a creditable display dignity. "He does not speak English, yo highness," volunteered Baldos, in voice so well disguised that it startl* her. The officer was staring blankly her. "Every officer in my army shou and must learn to speak English," si said, at her wits' end. "I decline be questioned by the fellow. Will y( talk to him in my stead?" "I, your highness?" he cried in di may. "Yes. Tell him who we are and af where the hospital is," she murmure sinking back with the air of a quee but with the inward feeling that a was lost, "But I don't speak your languaj well," he protested. "You speak it beautifully," she sai Baldos leaned forward painfully ar spoke to the officer in the Graustai tongue. "Don't you know your princess?" I demanded a trifle harshly. The man eyes flew wide open in an instant an his jaw dropped. "The-the princess?" he gasped. "Don't stare like that, sir. Direct u to the main gate at once, or you wi have cause to regret your slowness." "But the princess was-is coming b the northern pass," mumbled the mai "The guard has gone out to meet he and"- Baldos cut him off shortly wit the information that the princess, a he could see, had come by the lowe pass and that she was eager to read a resting place at "once. The convine lng tone of the speaker and the rega Indifference of the lady had full effec upon the officer, who had never se? her highness. He fell back with i deep obeisance and gave a few be wi! dered commands to his men. Th coach moved off, attended by a part: of foot soldiers, and Beverly brea thee her first sigh of relief. "Yon did it beautifully," she whis pered to Baldos, and he was consid erably puzzled by the ardor of he: praise. "Where are we going now?* she asked. "Into the city, your highness," he an swered. It was beginning to da wi upon him that she was amazingly lg norant and inconsequential for one who enjoyed the right to command these common soldiers. Her old trep? idation returned with this brief an? swer. Something told her that he was beginning to mistrust her at last Aft? er all, it meant everything to him and so little to her. When the coach halted before the city gates she was in a dire state of unhappiness. In the darkness she could feel the reproachful eyes of old Aunt Fanny searching for her aban? doned conscience. "Ask if Baron Dangloss is in Gan? look, and, If he Is, command them to take me to him Immediately," she whispered to Baldos, a sudden inspira? tion seizing her. She would lay the whole matter before the great chief of police and trust to fortune. Her hand fell impulsively upon his and, to her amazement, It was a's cold as ice. "What is the matter?" the cried in alarm. "You trusted me in the wilds, your highness," he said tensely; "I am trust? ing you now." Before she could rep'y the officer in charge of the Ganlook gates appeared at the coach window. There were lights on all sides. Her heart sank like lead. It would be a miracle if she passed the gates un? recognized. "I must see Baron Dangler ; at once," she cried in English, utterly disdaining her instructions to Ba Hos. "The baron i3 engaged at present and can seo no one." responded the good looking young o??cer in broken English. "Where is he?" she demanded nerv? ously. "He is at the house of Colonel Goaz. the commandant. What is your busi? ness with him?" "It is with him, and not with you, sir," she said. Imperious once more. "Conduct me to him immediately." "You cannot enter the gates unless you" "Insolencel" exclaimed Baldos. "Is this the way, sir, in which you address the princess? Make way for her." "The princess!" gasped the officer. Then a peculiar smile overspread his face. He had served three years in the castle guard at Edelweiss! There was a long pause, fraught with disaster for Beverly. "Yes, rjerhaps it is just as well that we conduct her to Baron Dangloss," he said at last. The deep meaning In his voice appealed only to j the unhappy girl. "There shall be no ; further delay,~your highness!" he add- j ed mockingly. A moment later the i gates swung open and they passed through. Beverly alor:-? knew that they were going to Baron Dangloss under heavy guard, virtually as prisoners. The man knew her to be an impostor and was doing 01 dy his duty. There were smiles of derision on the faces of the soldiers when Beverly swept proudly between the files and up the steps leading to the comman? dant's door, but there were no audible remarks. Baldos followed, walking noipfnllv hr-t"'}nf!arid lUUt FftU ny came Isec with the hand bag. The ? guards grinned broadly as the corpu II.Hwy.niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.WI?II.lum"!. ient negress waddled up ihe steps. The young officer and two men entered the door with the wayfarers, wbo were ordered to halt in the hallway. "Will your highness come with me?' said the officer, returning to the hail after a short absence. There was un? mistakable derision in his voice and palpable insolence in his manner. Bev- ! erly flushed angrily. "Baron Dangloss | is very curious to see you," he added. ! with a smile. Nevertheless he shrapk a bit beneath the cold gleam in the eyes of the impostor. "You will remain here," she said, turning to Baldos and the negress. "And you will have nothing whatever to say to this very important yourg man." The "important young man" actually chuckled. ! "Follow me, your most royal hi?h ness," he said, preceding her through "You are Miss Beverly Calhoun of j Washington." che door that opened into the office of ?he commandant. Baldos glared after them in angry amazement "Young man, some day-and soon you will be a much wiser soldier-atd in the ranks," said Beverly hotly. The smile instantly receded from the inso? lent fellow's face, for there was a world of prophecy in the way she said it Somehow he was in a much more respectful humor when be returned to the hall and stood in the presence t>f the tall, flushed stranger with the rag? ged uniform. A short, ierce little man in the pic? turesque uniform of a Graustark offi? cer arose as Beverly entered the office. His short beard bristled as though it were concealing a smile, but his man? ner was polite, even deferential. She advanced fearlessly toward him, a wayward smile struggling into her face. "I dare say you know I am not the princess," she said composedly. Every vestige of fear was gone now that she had reached the line of battle. The doughty baron looked somewhat sur? prised at this frank way of opening an interview. T am quite well aware of it," he said politely. "They say you know every one, Bar? on Dangloss," she boldly said. "Pray, who am I?" The powerful official looked at the smiling face for a moment, his bushy eyebrows contracting ever so slightly. There was a shameless streak of dust across her cheek, but there was also a dimple there that appealed to the grim old man. His eyes twinkled as he replied, with fine obsequiousness: "You are Miss Beverly ' Calhoun of Washington." CHAPTER IX. BEVERLY'S eyes showed her as X? tonishment Baron Dangloss jjj 1 courteously placed a chair for I her and asked her to be seated. "We were expecting you, Miss Cal? houn," he explained. "Her royal high? ness left St Petersburg but ? few "hours aT?cry?m* departure, having un? fortunately missed you." "You don't mean to say that the princess tried to find me in St. Peters? burg?" cried Beverly In wonder and delight. "That was one of the purposes of her visit," said he brusquely. "Oh, how jolly!" cried she, her gray eyes sparkling. The grim old captain was startled for the smallest fraction of a minute, but at once fell to admir? ing the fresh, eager face of the visitor. "The public at large is under the impression that she visited the czar on matters of importance," he said, with a condescending smile. "And it really was of no importance at all, that's what you mean;*1 Sha smiled back securely. "Your message informing lier high? ness of your presence ia St Peters? burg had no sooner arrived than she set forth to meet you in that city, much against the advice of her eonu- j selors. I will admit that she had other j business there, but it could have wait- j ed. You see, Miss Calhoun, lt wa? a great risk at this particular time. Mis? fortune means disaster nov.'. But Providence was ber friend. She ar? rived safely in Ganlook uot an hour j since." "Really? Oh, Baron Danglos:?, where , is she?" excitedly cried the American girl. "For the night she is slopping with the Countess Kallowitz. A force of men, but not those whom you met at the gates, has just been dispatched at her command to search for you In the lower pass. You took the most danger? ous road. Miss Calhoun, and I am amazed that you came through in safety." "The Russians chose the lower pass, I know not why. Of course, I was quite ignorant However, we met nei? ther brigands nor soldiers, Axphaln or Grausiarfc ? encountered nothing more ahtrm^nu than a tnounta?u lion. And that. Baron Dangloss, recalls nie i to the sense of a daly I have been neg defended in? against the beast and was badly wounded. He must be taken to a hospital at once, sir, where he may have the proper care." Whereupon, at bis request, she hur? riedly related the story of that trying journey through the mountains, not forgetting to paint the courage of Bal fios in most glowing colors. The chief was deeply interested in the story of the goat bunter and his party. There was an odd gleam of satisfaction in his eyes, but she did not observe it "You will see that he has immediate attention, won't you?" she implored in the end. "B!e sha!.! have our deepest consider? ation," premised be. "You know I am rather interested be? cause I shot him, just as if it were not enough that his legs were being torn by the brute at the time. He ought not to walk, Baron Dangloss, If you don't mind, I'd suggest an am? bulance," she hurried on glibly. He could not conceal the smile that her eagerness inspired. "Really, he is in a serious condition. I think he needs some quinine and whisky, too, and" "He shall have the best of care," in? terrupted the captain. "Leave him to me. Miss Calhoun." "Now, let me tell you something," said she. after due refl?etion. "You must not pay any attention to what he says, fie is liable to be delirious and talk in a terrible sort of way. You know, delirious people never talk ra? tionally." She was loyally trying to protect Baldos, the hunted, against any incriminating statements he might make. : I'TO BB CORTOTUXD.] JAPANESE INVADE WEST Quietly Building a Colony on the Upper Mississippi. Minneapolis, Minn., Dec. 4.-The invasion of the Mississippi Valley by Japanese Es proceeding at a surprising rate, but so quietly that it is scarcely observed. At present Bay City, Wis., a small town on the Mississippi River about ninety miles below St. Paul is the rail lying place ol the Japanese. There a small colony has bought several acres of land on a lake shore, including practically all of the beach and the point making, out Into the river, and locally famous as one of the best fish? ing places on the Upper Mississippi. A score of Japanese have been at work for several weeks cleaning this land and the beach, and in the Spring a landscape gardener will arrive from Japan and lay out the property in true Japanese style, making of it a beautiful and unusual Summer re? sort. But the Japanese are not to be con? tent with an industry that is profit? able only in the Summer. They have bought the Bay City roller mill, and are negotiating for other properties in and near the town, evidently with the prpose of establishing a manufac? turing centre. It is likely that the first buildings put up will be a can? ning factory and a pickling house. These will be some distance from the resort. Dr. T. Kuma, who is at Bay City with his wife and children, is direct? ing the work." He is a well-educated Japanese of middle age and engaging manners. Last September he went to Bay City to deliver an address in a lecture course and remained several days, ostensibly for no other reason than that he enjoyed the rest. But a few week;; later he returned, began negotiations for property, and made several puchases. Iben several young Japanese came and took up their homes in houses Dr. Kuma had bought. Now there are more than a score of characteristically industrious and reticent Japanese in the town. Evidently they are well-educated men, of good families, and the Ameri? cans in the town have received them cordially. Among the new-comers are several Japanese who had work? ed as bellboys in Minneapolis and St. Paul hotels for many months, learn? ing to speak English, and some of them studying in the schools and col? leges. If is understood that the Bay City colony will number at least 200 next summer and that Dr. Kuma intends to establish other colonies at favora? ble points in the upp^r Mississippi valley when this one is weil under way. He appears to have good finan? cial backing. j The Anderson firemen hav^ organ? ised in order to benefit from the fire m^ns' relief law, passed by the last -.--.ion of the legislature. A Texas Wonder. * There's a Hill at Bowie, Tex., that's twice ns big as last year. This wonder I is W. L. Hill, who from a weight of 90 j, pounds has grown to over ISO. Ile j says: "I suffered with a terribie j cough, and doctors gave me up to j die of consumption. I was reduced to 90 pounds, when I began taking Dr. King's New Discovery for consump? tion, coughs and colds. Now, after taking 12 bottles, I have more than doubled in weight and am completely cured." Only sure cough and cold cure. Guaranteed by SIbert's Drug Store. 50c and $1. T^ial bottle free. The construction of the electric road from Aiken to Columbia will br sr in within the nev?- few weeks All : the rights of way have been secured. ! SOUTH CAROLINA'S PART. Appropriations for Public Buildings and River and Harbor Improve? ments in This State. Washington, Dec. 4.-The secretary of the treasury in his letter of recom? mendations of appropriations needed asks that the following amounts be made available for the year ending June 30, 1908: For public buildings at Anderson, $35,000; Chester, $25,000; Greenville, $25,000;' Greenwood, $20,000; Sum? ter, $15,000. For improving Winyah bay, $72, 750. For improving Pee Dee river and maintaining same, $25,000. For improvements in Charleston harbor, $25,000. Don't anybody get excited; this does not mean that this is all they are going to get; it merely means that this is all that will be spent dur? ing the coming year. The work will be begun and a subsequent appropri? ation wlli ha ze to be made to finish it CONFERENCE APPOINTMENTS. Tho Men Who Will Fill the Charges in Sumter District Next Year. Columbia, Dec. 5.-The conference appointments for the M. E. Church, South, were announced this, morning. The following are the appointments for Sumter District: ' . H. W. Bayes, presiding elder. Bethel-T. W. Munnerlyn. Bishopville-C. B. Smith. Camden-C. C. Herbert Heath Springs-E. P. Hudson. Jords.n-S. H. Booth. Kershaw-A. O. Jeffcoat. Lynchburg-S. O. Cantey. Manning-D. Arthur Phillips. New Zion-L. L. Bedenbaugh. Oswego-David Hucks. Pinewood-J. BL Nolan. Providence-D. A. Lewis. Richland-C. S. Felder. Saniee-E. S. Jones. ist. John and Rembert-L. L. Inab nit Sumter, First Church-J. W. Dan? iel; Magnolia Street-S. B. Baiiey. Transferred to Western North Car? olina Conference-J. W. Peeler. BONI'S MANY DEBTS. Creditors Still Trying to Get ?tfoney Out of Countess Ann-i. Paris, Dec. 5.-Another hearing was held today in the case cf Count Boni De Castellane's creditors against the count and his former wife Madam Gould's counsel announced that she was willing to pay all debts relating to the household, but drew the line on the money lenders who had been supplying Eoni with* cash for his extravagances. } RAWLINGS HANGED. White Man and Negro Executed on Same Scaffold in Georgia. Vaidosta, Ga., Dec. 4.-With the declaration cf the innoccnse of his sons, J. G. Rawlings today stepped on the scaffold and paid the penalty of the crime of which he was found guilty and which decision has been affirmed in higher courts five times. With, him Alf Moore, the ' negro, whose confession furnished the con? victing evidence, was hanged. Both fell through the drop at 10.55 a. m., and life was pronounced extinct 12 minutes later. The expectation that the negro would make a final confession, exone? rating Milton, Jesse and Leonard Rawlings from participation in the murder of Willie and Carrie Carter, July 13, 1905, proved a disappoint? ment. He reiterated his previous state? ment and declared that Milton fired the fatal shots. *It is noticeable a cold seldom comes on when, the bowels are freely opon. Neither can it stay if they are op;n. Kennedy's Laxative Cough ->yrup tastes as pleasant as maple su? gar. Free from all opiates. Contains Honey and Tar. Conforms to the National Pure Food and Drug Law. Sold by all druggists. Joe Webster was killed in Chero? kee county by the wife of Pink Estes Friday night. All negroes. Long Tennessee Fight. , *For 20 years W. L. Rawls. of Bells, Ter.n.. fought nasal catarrh. He w ?? u ..: "The swelling and soreness in? side my nose was fearfui, till I began applying Bucklen's Arnica Salve to the sore surface; this caused the sore? ness and swelling to disappear, never to return." Best salve in existence. 25c at Sibert's Drug Store. Alonzo Goodwin, one of the negroes who assisted in the murder of Chain gang Guard Harman Stello, of Charleston, has been arrested in Richmond, Ya, and will be brought back for trial. ?f you want to read the news of the ?ay subscribe tor The Item.