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BEVERLY OP
By George Ban McCutcheon.
' Author of "Oraustark"
Copyright, 1 904,
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"I will 6oiii' day gl-.-e my Ii.e ta re
pay you for thoe word--, yir hi;!:
ness," be said. liir haul w is renins
on the skle of tiie chair. Something
warm touched It. and tlieu It was lift
ed reslsllessiy. Hot. passionate lips
burned themselves iuto tha white lin
gers, and a glow went inlo every fiber
of ber body.
"Oh!" was all she could say. He
gently released the hand and threw up
bis chlu resolutely.
"I am almost ready to die," be said
She laughed for the first time since
they entered the part.
"I dout kuow how to treat you," she
said lu a helpless flutter. "You kuow
a princess has many trials In life."
"Not the least of which Is woman
hood." "Baldos," she said after a long
pause. Something very disagreeable
bad Just rushed Into ber brain. "Have
you been forgetting all this time that
the Princess Yetlve Is the wife of
Grenfall Lorry?'
"It has never left my mind for an
instant From the bottom of my heart
I cougratulate blm. His wife Is an
angel as well as a princess."
"Well, In the code of morals, la It
quite proper to be so loyal to another
man's wife?" she asked, and then she
trembled. lie was supposed to know
ber as the wife of Grenfall Lorry, and
yet he bad boldly shown bis lore for
ber.
"It depends altogether on the other
man's wife," be said, and she looked
up quickly. It was too dark to see
bis face, but something told her to
press the point no further. Deep down
in her heart she was beginning to re
joice in the belief that he had fouud
ber out. If he still believed her to be
the real princess, then he was but the
subject of conversation at least bad
to be changed.
"You say your message to Ravoue
was of a purely personal nature," she
said.
"Yes, your highness." She did not
like the way in which he said "your
highness." It sounded as if he meant
it. -
"How did you know that you were
to see him today?"
"We have waited for this opportunity
sluce last week. Franz was in the cas
tle grounds last Thursday."
"Good heavens! You don't mean It!"
"Yes, your highness. He carried a
message to me from Ravoue. That is
' Here is what Huvone says."
why Ravoue and the others waited for
me lu the hills."
"You amaze me!"
"I have seen Franz often," he con
fessed easily. "He Is an excellent
messenger," .
"So It would seem. We must keep
a lookout for him. He Is the go-between
for you all, I see."
"Did you learn to say 'you all In
America?" he asked. Her heart gave
a great leap. There was something
so subtle In the query that she was
vastly relieved.
"Never mind about that, sir. You
won't tell me what you said lu your
tote to Ravoue."
"I cannot."
"Well, be gave you one In return. If
you are perfectly sincere, Baldos, you
will hand that note over to me. It
shall go no further, I swear to you, If,
as you vow, It does not jeopardize
Graustark. Now, sir, prove your loy
alty and your honesty."
He hesitated for a long time; then
from an Inner pocket he drew forth a
bit of paper.
"I don't see why It has not been
destroyed," be said regretfully. "What
a neglectful fool I have been!"
"You might have said It had been de
stroyed," she said, happy because be
bad not said It.
"But that would have been a lie.
Head it, your highness, and return it
to me. It must be destroyed."
"It Is too dark to read It here." With
out a word he handed the paper to her
and called the chair bearers, to whom
he gave instructions that brought her
speedily beneath oue of the park lamps.
She afterward recalled the guilty im
pulse which forced her to sit 011 the
Mitale note while the men were carry
sher along In the driveway. When
er the
UVCouMI K
l"f M-t.
fW V' A V A' WA'J
GRAUSTARK
If
51
SI
DuJd, MfJ Co.
It Was )U..e - I if . . O u.i.'.i.M
missive. I2: h. :i.l -Iul over iiers
and the uo;e. uud Le bent cIjso once
more.
"My only fear U that t!ie te-st will
make it Impossible for me to kiss your
hand again." said he iu a strained
voice. She looked up In surprise.
"Then It Is really soniehing disby-
air
"I have called it a test, your high
ness," he responded enigmatically.
"Well, we'll see," she said and forth
with turned her eyes to the all impor
tant paier. A quick flash crossed her
brow; her eyes blinked hopelessly. The
note was written in the Graustark lan
guage! "I'll read it later, Baldos. This is no
place for me to be reading notes, don't
you know; really, it isn't. I'll give It
back to you tomorrow," she was iu
baste to say.
An inscrutable smile came over his
face.
"Ravone's. information is correct, I
am now convinced," be said slowly.
'Tray, your highness, glance over It
now, that I may destroy it at once," be
persisted.
"The light isn't good."
"It seems excellent"
"And I never saw such a miserable
scrawl as this. He must have written it
on horseback, and at full gallop."
"It is quite legible, your highness."
"I really cannot read the stuff. You
know his handwriting. Read it to me.
I'll trust you to read it carefully."
"This is embarrassing, your blghuess,
but I obey, of course, if you command.
Here is what Ravone says:
"We have fresh proof that she Is not the
princess, but the American girl. Be ex
ceedingly careful that she does not lead
you Into any admissions. The Americans
are tricky. Have little to say to her and
guard your tongue well. We are all well
and are hoping for the best."
CHAPTER XVIII.
EVERLY was speechless.
"Of course, your highness,"
said Baldos, deep apology in
his voice, "Ravone Is woefully
misinformed. He Is honest In his be
lief, and you should not misjudge his
motives. How be could have been so
blind as to confound you with that
frisky American girl but I beg your
pardon. She is to be your guest. A
thousand pardons, your highness."
She bad been struck dumb by the
wording of the note, but his apparently
sincere apology for his friend set ber
every emotion Into play once more.
While he was speaking her wits were
forming themselves for conflict. She
opened the campaign with a bold at
tack. "You you believe me to be the
princess, sure enough, don't you?"
But with all her bravery she was not
able to look him In the face.
"How can you doubt It, your high
ness? Would I be serving you In the
present capacity if I believed you to be
any one else?"
"Ravone's warulng has not shaken
your faith in me?"
"It has strengthened It. Nothing
could niter the facts In the case. I
have not, since we left Ganlook. been
In doubt ns to the Identity of my bene
factress." "It seems to me that you are beat
ing around the bush. I'll come straight
to the point. How loug have you
known that I am uot the Princess of
Graustark?" ' .
"What!" he exclaimed, drawing back
in well assumed horror. "Do you mean
-are you Jesting? I beg of you, do
not jest. It Is very serious with me."
His alarm was so genuine that she was
completely deceived.
"I am not Jesting." she half whis
pered, turning very cold. "Have you
thought all along that I am the prin
cess; that I am Grenfall Lorry's wife?"
"You told me fhat you were the prin
cess." "But I've never said that I was was
any one's wife."
There was a piteous appeal in her
voice, and he was not slow to notice It
and rejoice. Then his heart smote him.
"But what is to become of me if you
are not the princess?" he asked after
a long pause. "I can no longer serve
you. This Is my last day in the castle
guard."
"You are to go on serving me I mean
you are to retain your place In the serv
ice," she hastened to say. "I shall
keep my promise to you." How small
and .humble she was beginning to feel!
It did not seem so entertaining after
all, this pretty deception of hers. Down
his heart, underneath the gallant ex.
terlor, what was bis opinion of her?
Something was stinging her eyes fierce
ly, and she closed them to keep back
the tears of mortification.
"Miss Calhoun," he said, his manner
changing swiftly, "I have felt from the
first that you are not the Princess of
Graustark. I knew It an hour itter I
entered Edelweiss. Franc gave ma a
note at Gfenlook, but I did not read it
until I wag a member of the guard."
"You have known it so long?" she
cried joyously. "And you have trusted
me? You have not hated me for de
ceiving you?"
"I have never ceased to regard you
as my sovereign," he said softly.
"But Just a moment ago you spoke of
rue as a frisky American girl," she said
resentfully.
-
They should
rtv.-n oi'v matter.
'I have used that term but once,
ivhile I have said 'your highness' a
thousand times. Knowing that you
were Miss Calhoun, I could uot have
meant either."
"I fancy I have no right to criticise
you," she humbly admitted. "After all,
it does not surprise me that you were
not deceived. Only an Imbecile could
have been fooled all these weeks. Ev
ery one said that you were no fool. It
seems ridiculous that It should have
gone to this length, doesn't It?"
"Not at ail, your highness. I am
nof-
"You have the habit, I see," she
smiled.
"I have several months yet to serve
as a member of the guard. Besides, I
am under orders to regard you as the
princess. General Marians has given
me severe Instructions in that respect."
"Y'ou are willing to play the game to
the end?" she demanded, more grati
fied than she should have been.
"Assuredly, yes. It Is the only safe
guard I have. To alter my belief pub
licly would expose me to to"
"To what, Baldos?"
"To ridicule, for one thing, and to the
generous mercies of Count Marlanx.
Besides, it would deprive me of the
privilege I mentioned a moment ago
the right to kiss your hand, to be your
slave and to do homage to the only
sovereign I can recognize. Surely, you
will not subject me to exile from the
only Joys that life holds for me. You
have sought to deceive me, and I have
tried to deceive you. Each has found
the other out, so we are quits May we
not now combine forces luvittie very
laudable effort to deceive the world?
If the world doesn't know that we
know, why, the comedy may be long
drawn out and the climax be made the
more amusing."
"I'm afraid there was a touch of
your old time sarcasm in that remark,"
she said. "Yes, I am willing to con
tinue the comedy. It seems the safest
way to protect you especially from
Genera Marlanx. No one must ever
know, Baldos; It would be absolutely
pitiful. I am glad, oh, so glad, that
you have known all the time. It re
lieves ray mind and my conscience tre
mendously." "Yes," he said gently. "I have known
all along that you were not Mr. Lorry's
wife." He had divined her thought,
and she flushed hotly. "You are still a
princess, however. A poor goat hunter
can only look upon the rich American
girl as a sovereign whom he must wor
ship from far below."
"Oh, I'm not so rich as all that!" she
cried. "Besides, I think It is time for
a general clearing up of mysteries.
Are you Prince Dantan, Prince Fred
eric or that other oue Christobal some
body? Come; be fair with me."
"It seems that all Edelweiss looks
upon me as a prince lu disguise. You
found me in the hills"
"No; you found me. I have not for
gotten, sir."
"I was a vagabond and a fugitive.
My friends are bunted as I am. We
have no home. Why every one should
suspect me of being a prince I cannot
understand. Every roamer in the hills
is not a prince. There Is a price upon
my head, and there Is a reward for the
capture of every man who was with
me In the pass. My name is Paul Bal
dos, Miss Calhoun. There is no rays
tery in that. If you were to mention
it in a certain city, you would quickly
find that the name of Baldos Is not
unknown to the people who are search
ing for him. No, your highness; I re
gret exceedingly that I must destroy
the absurd Impression that I am of
royal bldod. Perhaps I am spoiling a
pretty romance, but it cannot be help
ed. I was Baldos the goat hunter; I
am now Baldos the guard. Do you
think that I would be serving as a
Graustark guard If I were any one of
the men you mention?"
Beverly listened In wonder and some
disappointment, It must be confessed.
SQmehow a spark of hope was being
forever extinguished by this straight
forward denial. He was not to be the
prince she had seen in dreams. "You
are not like any one else," she said.
"That Is why we thought of you as
as as"
"As one of those unhappy creatures
they call princes? Thank fortune, your
highness, I am not yet reduced to such
straits. My exile will come only wheu
you send me away,"
They were silent for a long time.
Neither was thinking of the hour or
the fact that her absence in the castle
could not be unnoticed. Night had
fallen heavily upon the earth. The
two faithful chair bearers, respectful,
but with wonder in their souls, stood
afar off and waited. Baldos and Bev
erly were alone In their own little
world.
"I think I liked you better when you
wore the red feather and that horrid
patch of black," she said musingly.
"And was a free hearted vagabond,"
be added, something Imploring in bis
voice.
"An Independent - courtier, if you
please, sir," she said severely.
"Do you want me to go back to the
hills? I have the patch and the feather,
and my friends are"
"No! Don't suggest such a thing
yet." She began the protest eagerly
and ended It In confusion.
XAlufj,. you mean that some day ban
if At" is not unlikely?"
'ou don't expect to be a guard all
yur life, xlo you?"
"Not to serve the Princess of Grau
stark, I confess. My aim Is much high
er. If God lets me choose the crown I
would Berve I would enlist for life. The
crowu I wnjid serve is wrought of
love, the th.. J would kneel before is
a heart, tit.fvter I would follow lj
In the slender hand of a woman. I
could live and die in the Kervlee of my
own choosing, but I am only the hum
ble goat hunter, whose hopes are phan
toms, whose Ideals are conceived in Im
potence." not be ing death, tut a valuable young
"That - was beautiful," murmured
Beverly, looking up, fascinated for the
moment.
"Oh, that I had the courage to enlist,
he cried, bending low once more. She
felt the danger In his voice, half tremu
lous with something more than loyalty,
and drew her hand away from a place
of Instant jeopardy. It was fire that
she was playing with, she realized with
a start of consciousness. Sweet as the
spell had grown to be she saw that It
must be shattered.
"It is getting frightfully late," she
sharply exclaimed. "They'll wonder
where I've gone to. Why. It's actually
dark!"
"It has been dark for half an hour,
your highness," said he, drawing him
self up with sudden rigiduess that dls
tressed her. "Are you going to return
to the castle?" x
"Y'es. They'll have out a searching
party pretty soon If I don't appear."
"You have been good to nie today,"
he said thoughtfully. "I shall try to
merit the kindness. Let nie"
"Oh, please don't talk In that humble
way! It's ridiculous! I'd rather have
you absolutely Impertinent, I declare
upon my honor I would. Don't you re
member bow you talked wheu you
wore the red feather? Well. I liked
It"
Baldos laughed easily, happily. His
heart was not very humble, though bis
voice and manner were.
"Red Is the color of Insolence, you
mean."
"It's a good deal Jauntier than blue,"
she declared.
"Before you call the bearers, Miss
your highness. I wish to retract some
thing I said awhile ago," he said very
seriously.
"I should think you would," she re
sponded, utterly misinterpreting his in
tent. "You asked me to tell you what my
message to Ravone contained and I
refused. Subsequently the extent of
bis message to me led us Into a most
thorough understanding. It Is ouly
Just and riht that you should know
what I said to him."
"I trust you, Baldos," she protested
simply.
"That Is why I tell this to you. Yes
terday, your highness, the castle guard
received their mouth's pay. You may
not know how well we are paid, so I
will say that. It Is 10 gavvos to each.
The envelope which I gave to Ravoue
contained my wages for the past six
weeks. They need It far more than I
do. There was also a short note of
good cheer to those poor comrades of
mine and the assurance that one day
our luck may chauge and starvation
be succeeded by plenty. And, still
more, I told him that I knew you to be
Miss Calhoun and that you were my
angel of Inspiration. That was all.
your highness."
"Thank you, Baldos, for telling me,"
she said softly. "You have made me
ashamed of myself."
"On the contrary, I fear that I have
been Indulging iu mock heroics. Truth
and egotism, like a salad, require a
certain amount of dressing."
"Since you are Baldos and not a
fairy prince I think you may Instruct
the men to carry me bac k, being with
out the magic tapestry which could
transplant me In a whiff. Goodness,
who's that?"
Within teu feet of the sedan chair
and directly behind the tall guard stood
a small group of people. He and Bev
erly, engrossed in each other, had not
heard their approach. How loug they
had been silent spectators of the little
scene ouly the Intruders knew. The
startled, abashed eyes of the girl In
the chair were not loug In distinguish
ing the newcomers. A pace in front
of the others stood the gaunt, shadowy
form of Count Marlanx.
Behind him were the Princess Ye
tlve, the old prime minister and Baron
Dangloss.
CHAPTER XIX.
IHY, good evening. Is that
w
you?" struggled somewhat
hysterically through Bever
ly's lips. Not since the dear
old days of the stolen jam and sugar
bits had she known the feelings of a
culprit caught red handed. The light
from the park lamps revealed a merry,
accusing smile on the face of Yetive,
but the faces of the men were serious.
Marlanx was the picture of suppressed
fury.
"It Is the relief expedition, your high
ness," said Yetive warmly. ?'We
thought you were lost In the wilds of
the jungle."
"She Is much better protected than
we could have Imagined," said the Iron
Count, malevolently mild and polite.
"Can't I venture into the park with
out being sent for?" asked Beverly,
ready to fly Into the proper rage. The
pink had left her cheeks white. "I am
proud to observe, however, that the
relief expedition is composed of the
most distinguished people In all Grau
stark. Is there any significance to be
attached to the circumstance?"
"Can't we also go strolling in the
park, my dear?" plaintively asked Ye
tive. "It depends upon where we stroll, I
fancy." suggested Marlanx derisively.
Beverly flashed a fierce look at the
head of the army. "By the way, Baron
Dangloss, where Is the Incomparable
Haddan?"
Baldos shot a startled glance at the
two men and In an Instant comprehen
sion came to him. He knew the secret
of Haddan's constant companionship.
An expresslou of bitter scorn settled
upon his mouth. Dangloss mumbled a
reply, at which the Iron Count laughed
sarcastically.
"I am returning to the castle," said
Beverly coldly. "Pray don't let me
interfere with your stroll. Or is it
possible that you think it necessary to
deliver me safely to my nurse now that
you have fouud me?"
"Dou't be angry. . dear," - whispered
colt " DCjruiiu iwv .
will tell you nil about It later on. It
was all due to Couut Marlanx."
"It was all dono to humiliate me,"
replied Beverly, Indignation surpassing
confusion at last. "I hate all of you."
"Oh, Beverly!" whispered the prln
cess lu distress,
"Well, perhaps you were led Into
it," retracted Beverly, half mollified,
"Look at that old vlllalu whispering
over there. No wouder his wives up
and died. They Just had to do it. I
bate all but you and Count Halfont
and Baron Dangloss," which left but
one condemned.
"And Baldos?" added Yetive, patting
her hand,
"I wish you'd be sensible," cried Bov
erly most ungraciously, and Yetlve's
soft laugh Irritated her. "How long
had you been listening to us?"
"Not so much ns the tiniest part of
a minute," said Yetive, recalling uu
other disastrous eavesdropping. "I am
much wiser than wheu Baldos first
came to serve you. We were quite a
dlstauce behind Count Marlanx, I as
sure you."
"Then he heard something?" asked
Beverly anxiously.
"He has been in a detestable mood
ever since we rejolued him. Could he
have heard anything disagreeable?"
"No; on the contrary, It was quite
agreeable."
All this time Baldos was standing at
attention a few paces off, a model sol
dler despite the angry shifting of his
black eyes. He saw that they had been
caught In a most unfortunate position,
No amount of explaining could remove
the Impression that had been forced
upon the witnesses, voluutary or in
voluntary, as the case might be. Bal
dos could do nothing to help her, while
she was compelled to face the suspl
clons of her best friends. At best it
could be considered nothing short of a
clandestine meeting, the consequences
of which she must suffer, uot he. In
his heated brain he was beginning to
picture scandal with ail the disgusting
details that grow out of evil misrepre
sentation.
Count Hulfout separated himself
from the group of three and advanced
to the sedan chair. Marlanx and Dan
gloss were arguing earuestly In low
tones.
"Shall we return, your highness?"
asked Halfont, addressing both with
one of his rarest smiles. "If I reweui
ber aright, we were to dine en famllle
toulght, and It Is well upou the hour.
Besides, Count Marlanx is a little dis
tressed by your absentmiudeduess,
Miss Beverly, and 1 fancy he Is eager
to have it out with you."
"My abseutmlndedness? What Is it
that I have forgotteu?" asked Beverly,
puckering her brow.
"That's the trouble, dear," said Ye
tive. "Y'ou forgot your promise to teach
blm how to play that awful game call
ed poker. He has waited for you at the
castle since 0 o'clock. It is now 8. Is
it any wonder that he led the searching
party? He has been ou nettles for an
hour and a half."
"Goodness, I'll wager he's lu a tern:
per!" exclaimed Beverly, with no re
morse, but some apprehension.
"It would be wisdom to apologize to
him," suggested Y'etlve, and her uncle
nodded earnestly,
"All right. I think I can get him Into
good humor without half trying. Oh,
Count Marlanx! Come here, please,
You aren't angry with me, are you?
Wasn't It awful for me to run away
and leave you to play solitaire Instead
of poker? But, dou't you kuow, 1 was
so wretchedly tired after the ride, and
I kuew you wouldn't mlud If I" and
so she ran glibly ou, completely fore
stalling him, to the secret amusement
of the others. Nevertheless, she was
nervous anJ embarrassed over the sit
uation. There was every reason to
fear that the Iron Count had heard and
seen enough to form a pretty good opin
ion of what had passed between her
self aud Baldos In this remote corner
of the park. A deep sense of shame
was taking possession of her.
Marlanx, smiling significantly, looked
into her brave little face and permit
ted her to talk ou until she had run out
of breath and composure. Theu he
bowed with exaggerated gallantry aud
mrormed her that he was hers to com
mand and that it was not for him to
forgive, but to accept whatever was
Uer gracious pleasure. He called udou
the chair bearers, aud they took up
tneir burden. Beverly promptly changed
her mind and concluded to walk to the
castle. And so they started off, the
chair going ahead as if out of com
mission forever. Despite her efforts
to do so the American girl feeling
very much abused, by the way was
unsuccessful in the attempt to keep
the princess at her side. Yetive delib
erately walked ahead with Halfont
and Dangloss. It seemed to Beverly
that they walked unnecessarily fast
and that Marlanx was provoklngly
slow. Baldos was twenty paces be
hind, as was bis custom.
"Is it necessary for me to ask you to
double the number of lessons I am to
have?" Marlanx Hsked. He was quite
too close to her side to please Beverly.
""Can't you learn In oue lesson? Most
Americans think they know all about
poker after the first game."
"I am not so quick wltted, your high
ness." "Far be It from me to accelerate
your wits, Count Marlanx. It might
not be profitable."
"You might profit by losing, yon
know," he ventured, leaning still clos
er. "Poker Is not the only game of
chance. It was chance that gave me a
winning hand this evening."
"I dou't understand."
"It shall be my pleasure toteach
you in return for Instructions I am to
bave. I have tried to teach vour ex
cellent guard one phase of the game.
He has not profited, I fear. He has
been blind euouL'h to Dick a losiner
band In spite of my advice. It Is the
game of hearts." Beverly could not
but understand. She shrank away
with a shudder. Her J
serther. ,.,.. m U
"I know the gnnie ha
;'OueVobJectg,noSlS
hearts. I have been very ,2 811 i,
game, Couut Marlanx " ,B'ii
"Uiimp!" was his lroi,ioi
"Ah. Isn't this a umZl
went ou, charging tack sufl i '
"troll in the shadows fij'V
moon Is blind, Is a U,v w,Vt ft. -provides,
come, fair" mi"!?
this joy with me." . ,
With that his hand cloeert
aoft arm above the elbow
was drawn close to his side ' "
first shock of revulsion was
by the distressing certah.Ty
dos was a helpless witness Ut ,Bil
dignity. She tried to Jerk h!Mt
away, but he held it tight H
"Release, my arm, sir'- fii,0
hoarse with passion. w
"Call your champion, my !,, , "
will mean his death. I hav' . k
that will Insure his convleti
ecutlon within an hour. Noftijl
save him. Call hl.n, I say, aud" 1
"I will call him. He Is ffi.
protector, and I will command bta?
knock you down If you don't p,
she flared, stopping decisively
"At his peril"-
"Baldos!" she called, without
ond's hesitation.. The guard caTn
with a rush just as Marlanx releJ!
her arm and fell away wlth
tered Imprecation.
"Your highness!" cried Baldo, rtn
had witnessed everything.
"Are you afraid to die?" suedem,
ed briefly and clearly.
"No!"
"That Is all," she said, suddenljcaim
"I merely wanted to prove It to Cow
Marlanx." Tact had come to her 1
lief most opportunely. Like i flash gh
saw that a conflict between the com
mander of the army and a guard could
have but one result, and that disas
trous to the latter. One word tm
her would have euded everything (,
M IBM
1
"Stop l" almont shrieked Bewrly,
Baldos. She saw through the Iron
Count's ruse as If by dlvlue Inspiration
and profited where he least expected
ber to excel In shrewdness. Murium
bad deliberately Invited the assault by
the guard. His object bad been to
snare Baldos Into bis own undoing,
and a horrible undoing It would have
been. One blow would have secured
the desired result. Nothing could have
saved the guard who had struck his
superior officer, but Beverly thought
In time.
"To die Is easy, your blghnes Yos
have but to ask It of me," sald-te,
whose face was white and druivLW.c
"She has no Intention of -
such a pleasant sacr'"
Count Marlanx. cove-gg
skillfully. "Later on, pi
sign your death warrant roffltilexioa
tn hear. sir. that a i nnviuced-liy
corps has the courage ma delightful
evltable, even though hieuateiy nap-
..mnisite v Wtt;
and unwilling to uie on iu "i
tie. You have my comflPP"7f
IOU nave oeen ou ",,. 4hcra. tt
several hours and must be
fa11 aa Vintio-fV A enMifT ftllffVi-n nourish'
deprivations, uot the least of wliiiation(
ofnfiToHAn In nnran r or MS C KW .
Mess is not nn uuweicoine renei -- ,
fer nil these arduous bourn, -,4
mav return to the barracks at once.
The princess Is under my care for the
remainder of the campaign."
Baldos looked first at her ona men
at
the sarcastic old general, letive
and ber companions were waiting for
them at the fountain a uunurea yaiu
ahead.
"You may go, Baldos," said Beverly
In low tones.
'I am not fatigued nor"- he began
eagerly.
Go!" marled Marlanx. "Am i w
rpnoflt n command to vou? Do you ig
nore the word of your mistress?" There
was a significant sneer In the way be
said it. 1
"Mistress?" gasped Baldos, bis ey
blazing, his arm baif raised.
"Pnimf xforinnxt" imnlored Beverly,
VVUMb .1.". ... 1
dmwinir herself to her full height ud
staring at him like a wounded thing.
'T hnmhlv tmnlore VOU not to miscu"
strue the meaning of the turin,
highness," said the count affably. "Ah.
fou have dropped something, rermlt
It is a note of some desenpuuu,
2ink." .
II r. atnnraA nilifklv tftCi C llicLlV &
recovered from the ground at her feet
the bit of paper which had fallen
, if man th. note from Ravoii
to Baldos, which Beverly had forgotw
in the excitement of the eneoum.-
(TO BE CONTINPRDJ
THE ORIGINAL LAXATIVf COUGH
.!
KFnFDY'SUXATIVEHOXEY-W
lul Clow BUtwxB kii &mn Ut "
... fl'1