Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-07-13
Beverly Of
GrduStdrk
CHAPTER XIV.
Observation-Disclosures!

CHAPTER XIV.
ssvv)OLD the lantern higher. Bev"-
IAI In the fury of the fight he
remembered the risk and i'm
portance Of not mentioning
her name and stopped short. He was
fighting fast, but warily, for he real
lied that his present adversary was no
mean one. AS the swords played back
and forth in fierce thrusts and parties
he spoke assuringly to Beverly: Don't
be frightened! AS soon as finish with
this fellow we will go on! All! Bravo!
Well parted, my man! How the deuce
could such swordsman as you become
a cutthroat of Marlanx?'
Beverly had been standing still all
this time, holding the light high above
her head, according to her lovers or.
ders, for she knew now that such he
was and that she loved him with all
her heart She was weird picture
standing there as she watched Baldos
fighting for their lives, her beautiful
face deathlike in its pallor. Not cry
escaped her hips as the sword blades
swished and clashed. She could hear
the deep breathing Of the combatants
In that tomb-like passage
Suddenly she started and listened
keenly. From behind her, back there In
the darkness, hurried footsteps were
Enthusiastically approaching. What she
had heard. then, was not the scurrying
Of rat Some one was following them.
A terrible anguish seized her Louder
and nearer came the heavy steps. "Oh,
Baldosw she screamed in terror. "An-
other Is coming!"
"Have no fear, dear onev' he sung
out gayly. His voice was infinitely
more cheerful than he felt, for he real
lied only too well the desperate situa-
ton. HE was penned in and forced to
meet an attack from front and rear.
he fell upon his assailant with redou-
bled fury, aiming to finish him before
the newcomer could give aid.
From out Of the gloom came fiend-
ish laugh. Instantly the dark figure of
q man appeared, his face completely
hidden by a broad SLOUGH hat and the
long cloak which enveloped him. A
sardonic voice Kissed: Trapped at last!
My lady and her lover thought to es-
cape, did they" The voice was unfa-
miliar, but the atmosphere seemed
charged with Marlanx. "Kill him,
Zem~ he shouted. Don't let him es-
cape you! I will take care of the little
witch, never fearW He clutched at the
girl and tried to draw her to him.
"Marlanx! By all the gods" cried
Baldos in despair. He lxd wounded his
nan several times, though not serious
y. He dared not turn to Beverly's MD.
The scene was thrilling, grewsome.
Within this narrow, dimly lighted I'M
derground passage, with it's musty
walls sweating with dampness and
thick with the tangled meshes Of the
SPIDERS web, brave girl and her lover
struggled and fought back to back.
To her dismay, Beverly saw the point
Of sword at her throat.
"Out Of the way, girlv' the man in
the cloak snarled, furious at her resist.
ance. "You die as we'll as your lover
unless you surrender. He cannot es-
cape me-"
"And if refusew cried the girl, try
Ing desperately to gain time.
! will drive my blade through your
heart and tell the world it was the
deed of your lover" y
Baldos groaned. His adversary, en-
couraged by the change in the situa-
ton, pressed him sorely
"pon't you dare to touch me, Count
Marlanx. know your she Kissed. II
know what you would do with me. 1t
is not for Graustark that you seek his
life.a
The sword came nearer The words
died in her throat. She grew faint.
Terror paralyzed her. Suddenly her
heart gave q great thump of joy. The
resourcefulness of the trapped was
surging to her relief. The valor of
the south leaped into life. The ex-
hilaration of conflict beat down all her
fears. Take away that sword, then,
please" she cried, her voice trembling.
but not with terror now. It was ex.
Z
ultation. "Will you promise to spare
his life? Will you swear to let him
so, if r.
mo, no; never! God forbid!" i'm.
plored Baldos.
"Ha, ha!" chuckled the man In the
cloak. Spare his life! Oh, yes, aftei
my master has reveled in your charms
How do you like that, my handsome
goat hunter?"
"You Internal scoundrell I'll settle
you yetP Baldos fairly fumed will
rage. Gathering himself together fol
! q final effort, he rushed madly on his
rapidly weakening antagonist.
/ "Baldos." she cried hopelessly and ii
a tone Of resignation, y must do it
It is the only way!'
! The man in the cloak as we'll as Bal
dos was deceived by the girls cry. HI
Immediately lowered his sword. The
lantern dropped from Beverly's hand:
and clattered to the floor. At the sans
instant she drew from her pocket hel
revolver, which she had placed there
before leaving the castle, and fired
point blank at him. The report sound
cd like thunderclap in their ears, l
was followed quickly by o sharp CRY