Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-07-06
Author Of -crau.tart"
6osRieht. 1904. " podd.
Mesd nd Company

do. My husband believes in you. I
will confess that you are to be arrested
as a spy tomorrow. Tonight you are
to serve as a guard In the castle This
/ should prove to you that have I'M
bounded faith in you. Moreover be-
ltlieve in you to the extent that 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. Believe me. I am your
friend"
Il shall revere your highness forever
for those words" said he simply. His
eyes went hungrily to Beverly's avert
! ed face and then assumed careless
CLEAN which indicated that he had re-
signed himself to the inevitable.
II 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-
fdence who you really are?' The 9TH
ers held their breath. He hesitated for
moment.
evil it suffice if say that am an
unfortunate friend and advocate Of
Prince Dantan? I have risked every
thing for his sake, and fear have
lost everything. have failed to be Of
service to him, but through no fault Of
mine. Fate has been against me-"
"You are Christobal!' cried Dagmar
eagerly.
He gave her startled glance, but
offered no denial. Beverly's face was
study. If he were Christobal, 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"
Yetiye and Dagmar walked slowly
from the room, leaving Beverly and
her guard alone.
II am at your service, Miss Calhoun"
he said easily His apparent indiffer-
ence stung her into womanly revolt.
~ was fool last night" she said alb
ruptly.
"No; 1 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"
Il shall never forget" she said. you
deserve the best in the world. Would
that I could give it to you. You have
braved many dangers for my sake.
shall not forget. Do you know that we
were watched last nightT
"Watched?" he cried incredulously.
"Oh, fool that 1 am! 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'-
II will kill him! What do care for
the consequences? He shall pay dearly
for
"stop Where are you going? You
are to remain here, sir, and take your
commands from me. don't want you
to kill him. They'd hang you, or some
thing just as bad. He's going to be
punished, never fear!" Baldos smiled
in spite Of his dismay 1t was impos-
sible to face this confident champion
in petticoats without catching her en-
thusiasm. What have you done with
with that rose" she asked suddenly.
flushing and diffident Her eyes glis-
tened with embarrassment.
1T lies next my heart love it," he
said bravely.
II think I'll command you to return
It to me" vaguely.
"a command to be disobeyed. 1t is
in exchange for my feather" he smiled
confidently.
well, Of course, if 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
In the corridor. Once in awhile you will
60 out upon the balcony and take a
look. You see, am afraid of some
one. oh, Baldos, what's the use Of my
trifling like this? You are to escape
from Edelweiss tonight. That is the
whole plan-the whole idea in nut
shell. Don't look like that. Don't you
want to go?" Now she was trembling
with excitement.
II do not want to leave you," be
cried eagerly. 1T would be cowardly
Marlanx would understand that yor
gave aid and sanction. You would be
left to face the charges he would make
Don't you see, Beverly? You would be
implicated; you would be accused
Why did you not let me kill him? No
will not go!" Neither noticed the
name by which he had called her,
But insist" she cried weakly
"You must go away from me. IL
command you to-"
us it because you want to drive me
out Of your life forever?" he demand
ed, sudden understanding coming tt
him.
Don't put it that way" she muir
INJURED.
"Is it because you care for me thai
you want me to go:" he insisted, draw
ing near. SIS 1t because you fear the
love bear for you?"
| "Love! You don't really Stop
Remember where you are, sir! YOU
must not go on with it, Baldos. Dom
come a step nearer. Do go tonight
It is for the best I have been awfully
wicked in letting 1t run on as it has