The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-10-26

say you have done all you can, sir. Do
you wish to add anything more?
what can one do when dealing with
his superior and finds him despicable
coward?" said BaldOs, with cool irony.
You are reputed to be brave sol
der. know that to be false or
would ask you to draw the sword you
carry and He was drawing his
sword as he spoke.
"Baldos!" implored Beverly. Her
evident concern Infatuated Marlanx.
In his heart he knew Baldos to be a
man of superior birth and foeman
not to be despised from his own sta
ton. Carried away by passion. he
flashed his sword from its sheath.
you have drawn on me, sir" he
snarled. At must defend myself
against even such as you. You will
! find that | am no coward. Time Is
short for your gallant lover, madam.
Before she could utter word of pro-
test the blades had elashed, and they
were hungry for blood. 1t was dark
In the shadows of the trees, and the trio
were quite alone with their tragedy.
She heard Baldos laugh recklessly In
response to Marlanx's cry Of:
"Oh, the shame of fighting with such
carrion as your
Don't Jest at time like this, count"
said the guard softly. Remember
that / lose, no matter which way 1t
goes If you kill me lose. If beat
you l lose. Remember, you can still
have me shot for INSTRUMENTATION and
conduct unbecoming
"Stop!' almost shrieked Beverly. At
the risk OF personal injury she rushed
between the. two swordsmen. Both
drew back and dropped their points.
Not a dozen passes had been made.
II beg your highness pardon" MUIR
INJURED Baldos, but he did not sheathe
his sword.
HE forced it upon me-" cried Mar
lanx triumphantly. You were wit
ness to it all. l was fool to let it go
as far as this Put up your sword I'M
til another day--if that day ever comes
to you"
He will have you shot for this,
Baldos." cried Beverly in her terror.
Baldos laughed bitterly.
Tiled and blindfolded, too. your high
ness. to prove that he is a brave man
and not coward. 1t was short, but it
was sweet Would that you had let
the play go on. There was a spice in
It that made life worth living and death
worth the dying Have you other COM
mands for me. your highnessY His
manner was so cool and defiant that
she felt the tears spring to her eyes.
only that you put up your sword
and end this miserable affair by going
to your-your room"
1T is punishment enough. Tomor-
rows execution can be no harder"
Marlanx had been thinking all this
time. Into his soul came the thrill OF
triumph. the consciousness of a mighty
power. He saw the chance to benefit !
by the sudden clash. and he was not |
slow to seize it.
Never fear, my man." he said cas-
lily; sit won't be as bad as that. can
well afford to overlook your indiscre-
ton of tonight There will be no exc
cution, as you call it. This was an
and the state. Our gracious referee is
to be our judge. 1t is for her to par
don and to condemn. 1t was very
pretty while it lasted, and you are too
good q swordsman to be shot Go your
way, Baldos. and remember me as
Marlanx the man. not Marlanx the
general. AS your superior officer. |
congratulate and commend you upon
the manner In which you serve the
princess"
You will always find me ready to
Aght and to die for her," said Baldos
gravely do you think you can re-
that, Count Marlanx"
II have an excellent memory" said
the count steadily. With a graceful
salute to Beverly. Baldos turned and
walked away in the darkness.
"A perfect gentleman, Miss Calhoun.
but wretched soldier" said Marlanx
grimly.
HE is a hero" she said quietly,
great calmness coming over her do
you mean it when you say you are not
going to have him punished? He did
only what man should do. and
glory in his folly"
II may as well tell you point blank
hat you alone can save him. He does
not deserve leniency.s 1t is in my pow
or and it is my province to have him
utterly DESTROYED no. g. - -
lights work, but for other and better
'easons. have positive proof that he
s spy. He knows have this proof.
That is why he would have killed me
ust now. 1t is for you to say whether
he shah meet the fate of spy or go I
lnscathed. You have but to exchange
promises with me, and the estimable
yuardsman goes free-but he goes from
Edelweiss forever. Today he met the
scouts in the hills, as you
Know quite well. Messages were ex
changed secretly, which you do not
Know, of course. Before another day