The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-11-09
he stood before them. pale with sup !,

pressed emotion. The women of Grau
stark looked Involuntary at Beverly
who sat cold and volceless. staring al
the face Of the guard She knew what
| he meant; she knew that something
| was expected Of her. A word from her
/ and he would understand that he had
not tasted of the unattalnable. In one
brief moment she saw that she had de-
liberateIy led him on, that she had en-
couraged him, that she actually had
proffered him the cup from which he
had begun to sip the bitterness. Pride
and love were waging conflict In this
hapless southern girls heart. But she
was silent. She could not say the
word.
II think know what you mean, Bal
dos said Yetive, seeing that Beverly
would not intervene. I'VE are sorry.
No one trusts to your honor more than
1 do. My husband believes In you.
will confess that you are to be arrested
as a spy tomorrow. Tonight you are
IN serve as a guard In the castle. This
should prove to you that l have I'M
bounded faith in you. Moreover, l be-
lieve in you to the extent that 1 should
not be afraid to trust you If you were
TO go out into the world with every
secret which we possess. You came
here under peculiar stress of cir
cumstances, not wholly Of your own
volition. Relieve me. am your
friend"
II shall revere your highness forever
for those words" said he simply. His
eyes went hungrily to Beverly's avert
ed face and then assumed a careless
CLEAN which indicated that he had re-
signed himself to the inevitable.
Il am constrained to ask you one
question, SIR" went on the princess.
You are not the common goat hunter
you assume. Will you tell me In con-
fidence who you really areT' The 9TH
ers held their breath. He hesItated for
moment.
"Will It suffice IL say that am an
unfortunate friend and advocate Of
Prince Dantan? l have risked every
thing for his sake, and fear have
lost everything. i have failed to be Of
service to him, but through no fault Of
mine. Fate has been against me-"
"You are Christobalr' cried Dagmar
eagerly.
He gave her q startled glance, but
offered no denial. Beverly's face was
q study. II he were Chrlstobal, then
what of the game warden's daughter?
I'VE shall question you no further"
said Yetive. you enlisted to serve
Miss Calhoun. 1t Is for her to com
mand you while you are here. May
God be with you to the end. Miss Cal
houn, will you tell him what his du-
ties are for tonight? Come, my dear"
Yetlve and Dagmar walked slowly
from the room, leaving Beverly and
her guard alone.
81 am at your service, Miss Calhoun"
Se said easily His apparent indiffer-
snce stung her into womanly revolt.
IL was a fool last night" she said alb
ruptly.
mo; l was the fool. have been the
fool from the beginning. You shall not
blame yourself. for / do not blame you.
It has been sweet comedy, a summer
pastime Forget what may have said
to you last night. forget what my eyes
may have said for weeks and weeks"
II shall never forget" she said. You
deserve the best In the world. Would
that l could give it to you. You have
braved many dangers for my sake. l
shall not forget. Do you know that we
we're watched last nightr'
"Watchedi" he cried incredulously.
'Oh, fool that l am! 1 might have
known. And have subjected you to-
to-don't tell me that harsh things have |
been said to you, Miss Calhoun" He
was deeply disturbed.
General Marlanx saw you. He has
threatened me, Baldos"-
Il will kill him! What do l care for |
he consequences? He shall pay dearly |
Orr
stop! Where are you going? You
Ire to remain here, sir, and take your
commands from me. l don't want you
o kill him. They'd hang you, or some
uluS just DIS Ddu. ne W Dc
punished, never fearp' Baldos smiled
II spite of his dismay. 1t was impos-
ible to face this confident champion
Il petticoats without catching her en-
'lusiasm. What have you done With
with that roseT' she asked suddenly,
flushing and difident Her eyes glis-
tened with embarrassment.
at lies next my heart love it," he
said bravely.
Il think I'll command you to return
It to me-" vaguely.
"a command to be disobeyed 1t is
N exchange for my feather" he smiled
well, of course, IL you are going to
be mean about Now, let me see," she
said confusedly, what are your duties
For tonight? You are to stand guard
n the corridor. Once In awhile you will
30 out upon the balcony and take a
ook. You see, am afraid of some
nI N Il i