Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-08-02

he said eaSiIy. ftlS dllpatcht ts1StAsrssi I
ence stung her into womanly revolt.
II was fool last night" she said abb
ruptly.
mo; was the fool have been the
fool from the beginning. You shall not
blame yourself, for do not blame you
It has been d sweet comedy, 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 / could give it to you. You have
braved many dangers for my sake. 1
shall not forget. Do you know that we
were watched last night?"
"Watched?' he cried incredulously.
"Oh. fool that / 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
tk4e Consequences l1C ohoif PoJ shSuAAJ
for
stop Where are you going? You
are to remain here, sir. and take your
commands from me. l 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!" BaIdos 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. I love it." he
said bravely.
81 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
go out upon the balcony and take
look. You see, am afraid of some
one. Oh, Baldos, what's the use of my
trifiing 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 GOT? Now she was trembling
with excitement.
81 do not want to leave you,n he
cried eagerly. 1T would be cowardly.
Marlanx would understand that you
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 gop' Neither noticed the
name by which he had called her.
'sBut insistr' she cried weakly.
''You must go away from me. II
command you to-
sIs it because you want to drive me
out of your life forever?' he demand
ed, sudden understanding coming to
him.
Don't put it that way she muir
INJURED.
'Is it because you care for me that
you want me to go?" he insisted, draw
ing near. rs it because you fear the
love bear for you?"
Love! You don't really Stop!
where you are, sirl You
must not go on with it, Baldos. Don't
come a step nearer. Do go tonight!
It is for the best. / have been awfully
wicked in letting it run on as it has.
Forgive me; please forgive me- she
pleaded. He drew back, pale and hurt.
A great dignity settled upon his face.
His dark eyes crushed her with their
quiet scorn.
IT understand, Miss Calhoun. The
play is.over. You will find the luckless
yagabond a gentleman, after all. You
ask me to desert the cause serve.
That is enough. / shall 60 tonight"
The girl was near to surrender. Had
1t not been for the persistent fear that
her proud old fath g s9s,,d nsva ts, .,u,n
down the barrier and risked everything
In the choice. Her heart was crying
out hungrIly for the love of this tall,
soldier of fortune.
at is best" she murmured finally.
Later on she was to know *he meaning
Of the peculiar smile he gave har.
81 go because you dismiss me, not
because fear an enemy. If you
choose to remember me at all, be just
enough to believe that am not a
shameless coward"
"You are brave and true and good,
and am a miserable, deceitful wretch"
she lamented. "You will seek Ravone
and the others?'
"Yes; they are my friends. They
love my poverty. And now. may it
please your highness, when am to go
forth, and in what garb? should no
longer wear the honest uniform Of a
Graustark guard"