The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, May 04, 1906, Page 3, Image 3

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:* JHHHHHKaaDERSsas smnaavBtaaa ) j Seliing Sat s .?,[! | Beginning on Fi tjp 9 we will offer ous || goods at just Si, 11 includes eves*3 J Seeds, which a If goods. Pianos, || Machines, Stove y niture and everj II tone QUO ftNDC I Change of busin* for selli WON DEF A: H/V *Y^ . .?; : ra;;-"IlU:;'.*'v-'i: . fjBeverly? &6raustarl .. mmmmiwimm -W I ii1 i i < nn linia " 1 "i "ii "ii' "Tour highness Is said to be brave, I but even your wonderful courage can ; : "Oh, L'ou ivon't hill us?" avail nothing ii* this instance," said . the leader pleasantly. "Your escort ( has tied as though pursued by something oironger than shadows; your ( ?v. driver has deserted; your horses are , hulf dead; you are indeed, as you have said, powerless. And you are, besides all these, In the clutches of a band of merciless cutthroats." "Oh," moaned Beverly, suddenly , leaning against the fore wheel, lior eyes almost starting from her head. The leader laughed quietly?yes, good ! naturedly. "Oh, you won't?you won't kill us?" She had time to observe that there were smiles on the faces of all i ' the men within the circle of light. "Rest assured, your highness," said the loader, leaning upon his rille barrel with careless grace, "we intend no harm to you. Every man you meet In Graustar!; is' not a brigand, I trust, for your sake. We are simple hunters, and not what we may seem. It Is fortunate that you have fallen Into honest hands. There is some one In the coach?" he asked, quickly alert. A prolonged groan proved to Beverly that , Aunt Fanny had screwed up suflicieut (I courage to look out of the window. "My old servant," she half whispered. Then, as several of the men started toward the door: "But she Is old and wouldn't harm a fly. Please, : please don't hurt her." "Compose yourself; slio Is safe," said the leader. By this time it was quite dark. At a word from him 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 3*011 intend to reach Edel- 1 weiss In your present condition? You cannot manage those horses and, besides. you do not know the way." "Aren't 3*011 going to rob us?" demanded Beverly, hope springing to the surface with n 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 wari !i!f 10 npar.'X ". Bo. eriy looJ.-^J j dubious. "Wo live th:> good, clean life of the wilderness. Outdoor life Is nec- ; Msnry for our health* We could not lK>e In the city," he went on, with grim j?kv ' N(K humor. For the first time Beverly no- I tlced that he ^ore a huge black patch j over his loft eye. held in place by a i cor<l. He appeared more formidable than ever under the light of critical In- j spection. "I am very much relieved,".said Bovorly. who was not at all relieved. "But L * why have you stopped us In this man- ! ner?" "Stopped you?" cried the man with the patch. "I Implore you to unsay that, your hifelmess. Your coach was fe;L: ^ 5^1 * 1^ ? I Jraday, the 20th, | jj r entire stock of [ jj alf Price. This [ ? ^tiling except ? re commission r: Organs, Sewing11 ' s, Trunks, Fur- SI 'thing-goes. p iET FIRST CHOICE | ess is our reason 3K ng out. til ? STORE, if m >23aauBanaBaaa?Bniraf&aBiss*acarn :> t; 1>J"''J"U', """"' * tj 9 ir?Z/JTT>\\ ir 6> | " f ifi GEOS&L DARK flfij a Hi M'GUTCHEGN. ?|p * 5 '..'f."':1'.'.'. Author of "GraustarU" ' "[ ! ' _B k WM ** lis?11 J\\ Cor:*Icht. ISM. ly DodJ. v'-Vy/.? S' ' ^ | I i iass^<s> w* ? y ' k quite at a standstill before \va knew of (| its presence. You do us a grave in- f( justice." "It's very strange." muttered Beverly. somewhat taken aback. "Have you observed that it is quite dark?" asked the leader, putting away ' Lis brief show of indignation. "Dear me; so it Is!" cried she, now ^ able to think more clearly. "And you ere miles from an Inn or | ^ louse of any kind," he went on. "Do rou expect to stay hero all night?" "I'm?I'm not afraid," bravely sl.'v- j ired Beverly. "It Is most dangerous. "I have a revolver," the weak little ' voice went on. "Olio! What is it for?" ^ To I1SO in i':wo of nimirmi'.iv " "Kuril as repelling brlgun>. who sud- '' ienly appear upon tlio scone?" ! E "May I ask why you did not use It | this evening?" i "Beenuse it is locked up in one of my 1 1 bags?I don't know just which one? ind Aunt Fanny has the key," confess- | 2d Beverly. |)( The chief of ihc "honest men" laugh- , 2d again, a clear, ringing IMigh that he- sj spoke supreme confidence in his right to enjoy himself. ... "And who Is Aunt Fanny?" he asked, ^ covering his patch carefully with, his t;| slouching hat. n, "My servant. She's colored." Iu "Colored?" he asked in amazement. Q. "What do you mean?" ^ "Why, she's a licgress. Don't you know what a colored person is?" "You moan she js a slave?a black slave?" p "Wo don't own nlnven nny nio-? I more." lie looked more puzzled than I ever?then at last, to satisfy himself, ^ walked over and peered into the coaeh. n Aunt Fanny set up a dismal howl. An instant later Kir Honesty was pushed '5: aside, and Miss Calhoun was anxiously trying to comfort her okl friend u through the window. The man looked st on in silent wonder for a minute and 111 then strode off to where a group of his ! 01 men stood talking. ?* "Is yo' child yit, Miss Bev'ly?is do end cauie?" moaned Auq* ^ cny. Bev- w crly could not repress a sir... 1 "I am quite alive, auntie. '1 . men will not hurt us. They are very nice . ('c gentlemen." She uttered the last oh- 111 servation in a loud voice, and it had its effect" for tlio len.lot* mmn (n lini> fC - - I side with long strides. , " "Convince your servant that wo mean I no harm, your highness," lie said eager ly, a new deference in his voice and I manner. "We liave only the best of , motives in mind. True, the lulls are 111 full of lawless fellows, and we are ',( obliged to f^ut them almost daily, but a' you have fallen in with honest men? 8( very nice gentlemen, 1 trust. Less than ^ an hour ago we put a band of robbers V! to flight"? w "I heard the shooting," cried Bevcr- *3 ly. "It was that which put my escort 'll to flight." "They could uot have been soldiers of Graustark, then, yotn highness," i si quite Mdlantly. 1 d' "They wore Cossacks, or whatever . you call them. But, pray, why do you 81 call mo 'your highness'/'" demanded Beverly. The tall leader swept the di ground with his hat once more. | rl "All the outside world knows the Princess Yetlve?why not the humble B mountain man? You will pardon me, ! but every man in the liitls knows that x you are to pass through on tho way p from St. Petersburg to Ganlook. We vc are not so tar rroiu tiie world, arter i all, we rough people of the bills. We \ know that your highness left St. To ; j,, tersburg by rail last Sunday and took p to the highway day before yesterday j ^ beenuse the Hoods had washed away ; tho bridges north of <A.xphalu. Even ^ id hills have eyes anil ears." Beverly listened with Increasing perlexity. It was true that she had left t. Petersburg on Sunday; that the uureeedeuted Hoods had stopped all railay trathe In the hills, compelling her ) travel for mauy miles by stage, and uit the whole country was confusing er in souie strange way with the Prlness Votive. The news had evidently pod throu Ii Axphain and tlie hills ith the swiftness of tire,. It would be sol; ss to deny the sto?y; these men ouhl not believe her. In a flash she iK'ided that it wotdd be best to pose or the tiiue being as the ruler of Irauxtnr!;. It remained only for her > impress upon Aunt Fanny the iuiorta nee of this resolution. "What wise old hills they must be," ic said, with evasive enthusiasm. ' Vou cannot expect me to admit, how. er, that I am the princess," she Went a. "It would not he just to your cxeel nt reputation for tact if you did so, our highness," calmly spoke the man. it is quite as easy to say that you are ot the princess as to say that you are, o what matters, after all? We reorve the right, however, to do horngo to the queen who rules over these lso old hills. 1 offer you the humble or vices of myself and my coinpau>ns. We are yours to command." "h am very grateful to find that you re not brigands, believe me," said loverly. "Pray tell me who you are, ion, and you shall be sutlicl^ntly regarded for your goa l intentions." ?.i > r\\. " . ' . wu, tv.mr lujmness, i am IKllUOS, 10 gxit limit or, a poor subject for re nt\l at yoiir hands. I may as well adlit that I am a poacher and have no gal right to the prosperity of your iils. The only reward 1 can ask is forivene<s for trespassing upon the proprtv of others." * "You shall receive pardon /or all ansgrosslons, but you must get me to mie place of safety," said Beverly caerly. "And quickly. too, you might well ave added," ho said lightly. "The orses have rested, I think, so our permission we may proceed. "1""" now of a place where you may spend ic night comfortably and be refreshed ir the rough journey tomorrow." "Tomorrow? IIow can I go 011? I 111 alone!" she cried despairingly. "Permit mo to remind you that you j re 110 longer alone. You have a raged following, your highness, but it hall be a loyal one. Will you re-en toe lie coach? It is not far to the place I peak of, and I myself will drive you ere. Come, it is getting late, and >ur retinue, at least, is hungry." He Hung open t.ie coach door, and his it swept the ground once more. The gl 1L of a lantern played fitfully upon s dark, gaunt face, with its gallant 11 iIf and ominous patch. She liesitat- l 1, fear entering her soul once more, i e looked up quickly and saw the iitde- 1 si an in her eyes, the mute appeal. "Trust me. your hit Ira > he said ravely, and she allowed him to hand >r into the coach. A moment later ho was upon the Ivor's box, reins in hand. Calling out 1 his companions in a language I range to Beverly, lie cracked the 1 liip, and once more tliey were linn- j wing over-the wretched road. Ttevcr. i sank back int.) tin? scat with a deep \ gls of resignation. "Well, I'm in for it," she thought, j It doesn't matter whether they are | licves or angels, l reckon I'll have to ke what comes. He doesn't look very itch like an angel, but lie looked at e just now as if he thought I were le. Pear me, I wish I were back in 'nshin'ton!''. i CHAPTER V. WO of the inuii walked close be- I I 1 ?*uU? iho door, ono of tUom lionr;[ I ing a lantern. They conversed | i in low tones and in a language hich Hcverly could not understand, fter awhile she found herself analystg the garb and manner of the men. j io was saying to herself that here ere her tirst real specimens of (Iranark peasantry, and they were to ark an ineffaceable spot in her inem y. They were dark, strong faced men medium height, with tierce black res and long black hair. As no two ere dressed alike, it was impossible i recognize characteristic styles of acre. Some were in the rude, baggy (stumers of the peasant as she had lagined him; others wore dressed in . io tight fitting but dilapidated unitrms of the soldiery, while several ere in clothes partly European and irtly oriental. There were liats and z/.es and caps, some with feathers in 10 bands, others without. The man >ni"st the coach wore the dirty gray : aiform of an army olflcer. full of )les and rents, while another strode ong in a pair of baggy yellow troll* >rs and a dusty London dinner Jacket. 11 in all, it was the inotllest hand of tgabonds she had ever seen. There ere aPdoast ton or a dozen in the parWhile a few carried swords, all igged the long rifles and crooked dagsrs-of the Tartars. "Aunt Fanny," Beverly whispered, lddenly moving to the side of the subned servant, "where Is my revolver?" : had come to her like a flash that a lbsequent emergency should not find ?r unprepared. Aunt Fanny's jaw ropped, and her eyes were like whlto ngs In a black screen. "Good Lawd, wha ? what fo', Miss ov'ly"? "Sh! Don't call mo Miss Bev'ly. ow, Just you pay 'tontlon to ir rt, and 11 tell you something queer. Oct my 1 wolver right away and don't let those len see what you are doing." While | unt 1< annys trembling lingers went J i sen roll of the firearm, Beverly out- j ned (he siluntion briefly, but explicitThe old woman was not slow to ' nderslmuj. Her wits sharpened by 1 ;ar, she grasped Beverly's 1 untrue- i r tious with astonishing axidily. "Vo'y well, jo' highness," she saiil, with line reverend "Ah'll p'ocuuli tie buttle o' pepp'mlnt fo' yo' It" yo' jos' don* mine in> pulllu' au' haulin' 'uiougst dose boxes. Mebhe yo' all 'drutlier hah do glngohV" With this wonderful subterfuge as a shield she dug slyly iuto one of the bags and pulled forth a revolver. Under ordinary circumstances she would have been mortally afraid to touch It, but not so in this emergency. Beverly shoved the weapon into the pocket of her gray traveling jacket. "I feel much better now, Aunt Fan uy," she said, and Aunt Fanny gave a vast chuckle. "Yens, um'nm. Indeed?yo* highness," she agreed suavely. The coach relied along for half an hour and then stopped with a sudden jolt. An Instant later the tall driver appeared at the window, his head uncovered. A nan hard by held a lantern. "Qua vandos ar deltanet, yos sevent." said the leader, showing his white teeth in a triumphant smile. His exposed eye seemed to be glowing with pleasure and excitement. "What?" murmured Loverly hopelessly. A puzzled expression came into Ids face; then his smile deepened and his eye to; :c on a knowing gleam. "Ah, I Nee," he said gayly, "your highness prefers not to speak the language of Craustark. Is it necessary for me to repent in Hnglish?" "I really wish you would," said Beverly, entchoig her breath. "Just to see how it rounds, you know." "Your every wish shall be gratified. I bog to inform you that we have reached the Inn of the Ilawk and Haven. This is where we dwelt l ist night. Tomorrow we, too, abandon the place, so our fortunes may run together for some hours at least. There is but little to offer you in the way of nourishment. and there is none of the comforts of a palace. Y'et princesses can no more lu choosers than beggars when the fare's in one pot. Come, ?r.-.y Jdi-d'i -ss. let me conduct you to , the guest eunniber of the Inn of the Hawk and Haven." I Beverly took his hand and stepped to the ground, looking about In wonder and perplexity. "I see no inn," she murmured apprehensively. "Look aloft, your highness. That great black canopy in the roof; wo aro standing upon the door, and the (lark shadows just bovond the circle of light , are the walls of the Ilawk and Ilaven. This is the lar est tavern in all <11 runstark. Its dimensions are as wide utf the world itself." ' You mean that there is uo inu r.; all?" the girl crie.l in dismay. "Alas, I mu.-t confess It. And yet there is shelter here. Come with me. Let your servant follow." He took her by the liaud and led her away from the coach, a ragged lantern bearer preceding, Beverly's little right hand was rigidly clutching the revolver in her pocket. It was a capacious pocket, and tin; muzzle of ..,e weapon boied y into a timid powder rag that lay on the bottom. The little leather purse from which it escaped had its 1 silver lips opened as if in a broad griu ' 1 of derision, reveling in the plight of ' ! the chamois. The guide's hand was at once lirni and gentle, his s.ride bold, I yet easy, llis rakish hat, with its aggressive red feather, towered a full 1 head above Beverly's Parisian violets. "Have you no homo at all?no house i in which to sleepV" Beverly asked. i "I live In ii castle of air," said he, < waving his hand gracefully. "I sleep < in the house of my fathers." i < "You poor fellow," cried Beverly pityingly. He laughed and absently patted the hilt of his sword. ' 1 She heard the men behind them turn- s lncr the couch into the glen through < Which they waiked carefully. Her feet 1 fell upon a soft, grassy sward, an I the clatter of stones was now no longer i heard. They were among the shad- i i owy trees, gaunt trunks of enormous ' sir.e looming up in the light of the Ian- i terns. I'ncousclously her thoughts ' went over to the forest of Anion and i the woodland home of Rosalind, as she : ' had imagined it to be. Soon there came to her ears the swish of waters, ? as of some turbulent river hurry lug : by. Instinctively she drew back, and hot eyes, were set with alarm upon the black wall of night ahead. Yetive had spoken more than once of this wilderness. Many an unlucky traveler had been lost forever In its fastnesses. | ii is iiit.* river, your iiiguucss. iueie , is no danger. I will not load yon into | it," lit* said, a Iritlo roughly. "We are j low in the valley, and there are . marshes yonder when the river is in , Its natural bed. The Hoods have cover- j ed the low grounds, and there is a tor- , rent coining down from the lulls. Hero | we are, your highness. This is the Inn j of the Hawk and Raven." , lie bowed and pointed with his hat to the smoldering lire n short distance j ahead. They had turned a bond in the , overhanging clitT and were very close f to the retreat before she saw the glow. The lire was ill the open air and directly in front of a deep cleft in the rocky background. Judging by the sound tho river could not be,more than ; 2uo feet away. Men came up with I lanterns and others piled brush upon the lire. In a very abort time the glen was weirdly illuminated by the ilanc- | Ing flames. From her seat on tho huge log Beverly was thus enabled to survey a portion of her surroundings, The overhanging ledge of rock formed a ' | wide, deep canopy, underneath which was perfect shelter. Tho lloor seemed to be rich, grassless loam, and bore and mriu ri u |MMivir? Ui 1U"K ir> Idently the couches of these homeless , men. AH about were li^ait trees, and , in the direction of tJf#^ivor tlto grass ( grew higher and then gave placo to reeds. The foiiago above was so dense , that the moon and stars were Invisible, j There was u deathly stillness in the glr. Vj S wmmmrnmmmmmmamtmmmtr. n hit? B|* scmeI f|j Which we bu; || titles and sell ||i prices, Just ?2 v 1v ?"? ?.-* iw irv ci u a i, U S |s| silent of Bake |H Baker's Coct Sp Chocolate, Lo^ fy. v.' *) 7 IH Lovvney's Pov ||?| late, a'l sizes, H Ed !4J Extract* (p| Fruit Colorin; P! bon Extracts P? Sauer's Extras fHi Roy a! Baking gest stock ev< Union, Dime PI densed Milk, fs| Condensed A Peas, two po grades, and p| things too pi mention in th ??|j We solicit a p| your busine fi|j small or larg $$ give you our Hi and guaranty ^FS S ri pvprv tm^it ? ? V T VI J |/UI il ||| High Class r.nd Sec pg* # ui Lowe i lie very loneliness was so appalling that lloverly's poor little heart was in n quiver of dread. Aunt Fanny, who sat m ar by. hatl not spoken since leaving the coach, hut her eyes were expressively active. The tall leader stood near the lire conversing with half a dozen of his followers. Miss Calhoun's eyes finally rested upon this central figure in the strange picture. lie was attired In a ilark gray uniform that reminded her oddly of the dragoon choruses in the conne operas at home. The garments, while torn and soiled, were well lilting, llis shoulders were broad and square, liis hips narrow, his legs long and straight. There was an air of iiupuient grace about him that went well with his life and profession. Surely her< was a careless free lance upon whom life weighed lightiy, while loath "stood afar off" and despaired. The light of the lire brought his gleamliur Inf n ln?l?l 1 ?-?t* li?*' 1??it was off. Black ami thick was his liair, rumpled and apparently uneared for. file face was lean, smooth and strong, with a devil may-care curve at the corners of the mouth. Beverly found herself lamenting the fact that such an interesting face should be marred by an ugly black patch, covering she knew not what manner of defect. As for the rest of them, they were a grim com[>any. Some were young and beardless, others were old and grizzly, but a?. tvere active, alert and strong. The leader appeared to be the only one in the party who could speak and understand the English language. As Bev?rly sat and watched his virile, mocking face and studied Ins graceful movements she found herself wondering iow an ignorant, homeless wanderer 11 the hills could be so poetic and so cultured ns this fellow seemed to be. Three or four men, who were unmistakably of a lower order than their loinpaiiions, set about pit-paring a sap Other* unhitched tlio tired horses r.id led them off toward the river. Two lushing young fellows carried the seat tmshious under the rocky canopy and constructed an elaborate couch for the "princess." The chief, with his own hands, soon began the construction of i small chamber in this particular corner of the cave near the opening. The walls of the chamber were formed of Carriage robes and blankets, cloaks and ^ oak branches. "The guest chamber, your highness." lie said, approaching her with a smile at the conclusion of ids work. "It has been most Interesting to watch vnii," she said, risintr "And it has been a delight to interest you," he responded. "You will llnd seclusion there, an i you need see none of us until it pleases you." She looked hint fairly in the eye for a moment and then Impulsively extended her hand, lie clasped It warmly, but not without soute bhow of surprise. i mrnmmnmm 3F THE g y in big Quan- |!l at the lowest |j| received fresh j|? rtpHete assort- |f| t's Chocolate, j|| >a, Lowney's |? vney's Cocoa, || vdered Choco- ||| Eeggett's Gilt j|? all sizes, also ??j gs, Blue Rsb= , all flavors, jgg| :ts, all flavors, ||| Powder, lar= ff| er brought to gpg Brand Con= g?| Eagle Brand {?3 lilk, English |jj| und cans, all ||| other good ||| numerous to ||| lis space. HI md appreciate fH ss, however |g| ;'e. We will |fj best attention ||| cular. ||| DCERY GO. | isonoble Groceries |fg :sfr tost. "1 am trust inj; you implicitly," f-lie S.l ill "'i 1k? knave is nlorilled," was liis * a in-, pic rejoinder. Ho conducted her lo tin* improvised bedchamber, Auut l'aany following with loyal hut uncertain tread. "1 leer i. your ui>.-.s, that llu- conveniences are so few. We have no landlady except Mother Earth, no waiters, no porters, no maids, in the Inn of the llawk and lluvon. This heinix a nu n's hotel, the hatlis are on the liver front. 1 am ha via;;- water brouyht to your apartments, however, hut it is witii deepest shame and sorrow til.a I i- in less we have 110 towels.'* 81u> law lied so heartily that his faeo hrinhiened perceptihly. while the faces of his men turned in their direction as / though by concert. -"C? .. i,. p.i.u mountain resort, then." she said. "I think 1 can manace very well if you will fetch my i>:i ;.s t<> lii.v rooui, sir." "By tlio way, will you have dinner served in your room?" very good liuuioredly. "li' you don't mind, I'd like to eat fit > the i?u->!!? ciniug room," said she. A few minutes later Beverly was sitting u;>' 1 ! of her small trunks, and Aunt Fanny was laboriously brushing her dark hair. "It's very jolly being a princess," murmured Miss Calhoun. Site had bathe.l her face in one 01 the leather buckets from the eoaeh, and the dust of the road had been brushed away by the vigorous lady in waiting. "Vans, ma'am, Miss yo* highness, lot's monstrous Htm to' yo', lmt whar Is Ah goin' to sleep? Out yondah wif all do"o s< alawags?" said Aunt Fanny rebellious iy. [to uk continued.] ilrnriUnrils in '1'iirt.py. Th Turk , have a singular manner of re til sting drunkenness. If a Turk 0,1 . .. n with wine falls down in the t iv . a ad is arrested by the guard lie is s.iiteiu.si to the bastinado. This l> mi 1 menl is repeated as far as the third often e, after which he is rogard< I a. < i.M-orri - le and called "imperial drunkard" or "privileged drunkard.'' if lu? is then arrested he lias only to name himself, mention his lodplw?, >:i'y hi> i a privileged drunkard." lie i .'leased and sent to sleep upon the not asjios of the baths. Fontl ?>f CnttluiKC, ' \\ I'.crc'il yon u:'t that half dollar?" "Papa pave it to ino." "What for?" "I U>ft my rnhhlt in tho lionso nil nipht and It ate that box of clears tnaimna pave hl:n."- Houston I'ost. Generosity often clasps hands with extravapunce, while economy sometimes walks shoulder to shoulder with avarice. *