Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-12
CHATTER Nv.

OH IQc Btlll OlT. Ill inc UAllWuvS tn9
trusted guardsmen gllded about like
specters or stool like statues An hour
before the great cdifice had been bright
and full of animation. Now it slum
bercd.
1t was 2 o'clock. The breath of roses
scented the air; the gurgle of fountains
was the only music that touched the
ear. Beverly Calhoun, Diminishing Aunt
Fanny, stepped from her window
out upon the great stone balcony. A
rich oriental dressing gown, loose and
comfortable, was her costume. Some
thing told her that sleep would be
long time coming, and an hour IN the
warm, delightful atmosphere Of the
night was more attractive than the
close, sleeplcss silence of her own room.
Every window along the balcony was
dark, proving that the entire household
had retired to rest.
She was troubled. The fear had en-
tered her head that the castle folk
were regrettng the advent of Baldos,
that every one was questioning the wis
dom of his being in the position be
occupied through her devices. Her talk
with him did much to upset her tran
Quilllty. That he knew SO much of the
fortress bore out the subtle suspicious
Of Dangloss and perhaps others. She
was troubled, not that she doubted
him, but that If anything went wrong
an accusati ton against him, however
unjust, would be difficult to overcome
And she would be to blame in a large
degree.
For many minutes she sat in the
dark shadow of great pillar, her ell
bows upon the cool balustrade, staring
dreamily into the star studded vault
above. Far away in the air she could
see the tiny yellow lights Of the monas
terry, lonely sentinel on the mountain
top. From the heights near that abode
of peace and penitcnce an enemy
could destroy the fortress to the south.
Had not Baldos told her SO? One big
gun would do the work IL it could be
taken to that altitude. Baldos could
draw perfect map Of the fortress.
He could tell precisely where the shells
should fall. And already the chief
men in Edelweiss were wondering who
he was and to what end he might util
lie his knowledge. They were watch
ing him; they We're warning her
For the first time since she came to
the castle she felt sense Of loneliness,
q certain unhappincss. She could not
shake off the feeling that she was,
after all, alone in her belief in Baldos.
Her heart told her that the tall,
STRAIGHTFORWARD fellow she had met in
the hills was as honest as the day.
She was deceiving him, she realized,
but he was misleading no one. OF in
a distant part Of the castle ground she
could see the long square shadow that
marked the location of the barracks
and mess room. There he was sleep
ing, confidently believing in her and
her power to save him from all harm.
Something in her soul cried out to him
that she would be stanch and true and
that he might sleep without tremor
Of apprehensiveness.
Suddenly she smiled nervously and
drew back into the shadow of the Pill
lar. 1t occurred to her that he might
be looking across the moonlit park,
looking directly at her through all that
shadowy distance. She was conscious
Of strange glow in her cheeks and a
Quickening Of the blood as she pulled
, the folds Of her gown across her bare
throat.
Not the moon, nor the stars, nor the
light In st. Valentines, but the black
thing away of there on the EARTH"
said a soft voice behind her, and Bev-
erly started as If the supernatural had
approached her. She turned to face
the princess, who stood almost at her
side.
"Yetive! How did you got hereT'
THAT Is what you are looking at,
dear" went on Yetive as II completing
her charge. why are you not in bed y
And you? thought you were sound
r asleep long ago." murmured Beverly,
: abominating the guilty feeling that
came over her. The princess threw
her arm about Beverly's shoulder.
II have been watching you for half
an hour" she said gently. Cant two
look at the moon and stars as we'll as
one? Isn't 1t my grim old castle? Let
US cit here together. dear, and dream
awhile"
"You dear Yetive." and Beverly drew
her down beside her on the cushions.
But listen. want you to get some
thing out Of your head. was not
looking at anything in particular"
Beverly. believe you were think
Ing OF BaldoS," said tho other, her I'm.
gers straying fondly across the girls
soft hair.
"Ridiculousr' said Beverly. conscious
for tho first time that he was seldom
out Of hor thoughts. The realizat ton
came like blow. and her eyes grew
very wide out there In the darkness.
"And you are troubled on bis &C.
count. l know 1t, dear. YOU
well, Yeuve. why shouldn't be
worr!ed7 brought him here against
his WILL" protested Beverly. III any.
thing should happen to him. she shud-
dsred involuntarily.
Don't be afraid, Beverly. have al
fmuch confidence In him az you have
His eyes are true. Grenfall believes
lin him, too, and 30 docs Mr.. Anguish
Gren says he would swear by him, NC
Fmattsr who he is."
But the otllers?' Beverly wh!s
tpsrsd.