Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-07-12


! capture of every man who was with
me in the pass. My name is Paul Bal
! dos, Miss Calhoun. There is no mys-
terry in that. If you were to mention
| it in certain city, you would quickly
/ find that the name of Baldos is not
unknown to the people who are search
| ing for him. No. your highness; re-
| the absurd impression that ! am of
royal blood. Perhaps am spelling a
| pretty romance, but 1t cannot be help
! ed. | was Baldos the goat hunter;
am now Baldos the guard. Do you
think that would be serving as
| Graustark guard if were any one Of
the men you mention?"
| Beverly listened in wonder and some
disappointment, it must be confessed.
Somehow spark of hope was being
forever extinguished by this straight
| forward denial. He was not to be the
! prince she had seen in dreams. you
! are not like any one else" she said.
eThat is why we thought of you as
| as-as''-
GAS one of those unhappy creatures
they call princes? Thank fortune, your
highness. am not yet reduced to such
straits. My exile will come only when
you send me away"
They were silent for long time.
Neither was thinking of the hour or
the fact that her absence in the castle
could not be unnoticed. Night had
fallen heavily upon the earth. The
two faithful chair bearers, respectful,
! but with wonder in their souls, stood
afar off and waited. Baldos and Bev-
erly were alone in their own little
| worlds
II think liked you better when you
wore the red feather and that horrid
patch Of black" she said musingly.
".And was free hearted vagabond,"
he added. something imploring in his
| voice.
"An independent courtier, if you
please, sir" she said severely.
"Do you want me to go back to the
hills? have the patch and the feather,
and my friends are
mo! Don't suggest such a thing
| yet" She began the protest eagerly
and ended it in confusion.
"Alas, you mean that some day ban
ishment is not unlikely"
seYou don't expect to be guard all
your life. do your
''Not to serve the Princess of Grau-
stark, confess. My aim is much high
| er. If God lets me choose the crown
would serve / would enlist for life. The
crown 1 would serve is wrought Of
love, the throne would kneel before is
heart, the scepter would follow is
| in the slender hand of woman. l
could live and die in the service Of my
| own choosing, but am only the hum
| Bile goat hunter, whose hopes are phan-
toms, whose ideals are conceived in Inn
potence"
'sThat was beautiful" murmured
Beverly, looking up, fascinated for the
moment
"Oh, that had the courage to enlist"
| he cried, bending low once more. She
felt the danger in his voice, half tremu-
lous with something more than loyalty,
and drew her hand away from place
| of instant jeopardy. 1t was fire that
she was playing with, she realized with
start of consciousness. Sweet as the
| spell had grown to be she saw that it
must be shattered.
at is getting frightfully late" she
sharply exclaimed. They'll wonder
where I've gone to- Why, it's actually
darkr'
sIt has been dark for half an hour,
your highness," said he, drawing him
self up with sudden rigidness that dis
tressed her "Are you going to return
| to the castleY'
Eyes. They'll have out a searching
party pretty soon if don't appear"
you have been good to me today"
he said thoughtfully. 81 shall try to
| merit the kindness. Let me-
ooh, please don't talk in that humble
way! It's ridiculous I'd rather have
| you absolutely impertinent, declare
upon my honor would. Don't you re-
| member how you talked when you
wore the red feather? Well, liked
It"
Baldos laughed easily, happily. His
heart was not very humble, though his
voice and manner were.
RED is the color of insolence, you
mean"
Its good deal jauntier than blue"
she declared.
Before you call the bearers, Miss
| your highness, / wish to retract some
thing I said awhile ago." he said very
seriously.
II should think you would" she re-
sponded, utterly misinterpreting his In
tent
You asked me to tell you what my
message to Ravone contained and
refused. Subsequently the extent Of
his message to me led us into most
| thorough understanding. It is only
| just and right that You should know
| what said to him."
stT fruSf Won Raldos 4. she nrofestnd