Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-06-05
By
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHEON,
ss
Copyright. 1904. " pead.
Mead ~ Compsay

1 t0uieS, kOuL lut count narShly ordered
them to wait until the guests had de.
parted.
1T is the dearest thing have seen
said Beverly, holding rare old candle.
stick at arms length and looking at II
In as many ways as the wrist could
turn. Fer loose sleeves ended lust be.
low the elbows. The counts eyes fol-
lowed the graceful curves Of her white
forearm with an eagerness that was
annoying.
II prize it more dearly than any
other piece in my collection" he said.
at came from Rome. 1t has a history
which shall try to tell you some day
and which makes 1t almost Invaluable.
A German nobleman offered me a
small fortune If would part with it."
Sand you wouldn't sell It'll"
II was saving it for an occasion.
your highness," he said. his steely eyes
glittering. 1.-THE glad hour has come
when can part with 1t for recon-
pense far greater than the baron,s
gold. !"
"oh. isn't 1t lucky you kept it?" she
cried. Then she turned her eyes away
quickly. for his gaze seemed greedily
endeavoring to pierce through the lace
insertion covering her Aeck and shout
ders. Outside the window the steady
fEamp Of the tall guard went on mo.
notonously.
The recompense Of q sweet smile. a
tender blush and the unguarded
thanks Of a pretty woman. The can
dlestick is yours. Miss Calhoun-if you
Will repay me for my sacrifice by ac-
ceptinG 1t without reservation"
Slowly Beverly Calhoun set = an
dlestick down upon the table, he, =
meeting his with steady disdain.
What a rare old Jester you are.
Count Marlanx." she said without a
smile. IF thought you were in ear
nest I should scream With laughter.
May suggest that we join the count
ess1 We must hurry along, you know.
She and have promised to play tennis
with the princess at 8 O'clock" The
counts glare of disappointment lasted
but moment. The diplomacy Of ego
tism came to his relief. and he held
back the gift for another day, but not
tor another woman.
1T grieves me to have you hurry
away, Nix afternoon is to be dull
enc unless you permit me to watch the
tennis game" he said,
II thought you We're interested only
IN the game of war;" she said point
edly.
II stand in greater awe Of tennis
ball than do Of cannon ball, IL it ia
sent by such an arm as yours" and
he not only laid his eyes, but his hand,
upon her bare arm. She started as If
something had stung her. and a cold
shiver raced over her warm flesh. His
eyes for the moment held her SPELL
bound. He was drawing the hand to
bis lips when shadow darkened the
French window, and saber ratified
warningly.
Count Marlanx looked up instantly,
Z scQwl on his face. Baldos stood at
the window in an attitude Of alert at
tsntion. Beverly drew her arm away
spasmodically and took a step toward
the window. The guard saw by her
ayes that she was frightened; hut, If
his heart beat violently, his face was
the picture Of military stoniness.
"What are you doing there?" snarled
the count.
"Did your highness calf" asked Bal
dos coolly.
"She did not call, felloww said the
count, with deadly menace in his voice.
Report to me in half an hour, You
still have something to learn, l see."
Beverly was alarmed by the threat in
his tones. She saw what was in store
for Baldos, for she knew quite as we'll
as Marlanx that the guard had DELHI
erately interviewed In her behalf.
"He cannot come in half an hourv'
she cried quickly. II have something
for him to do, Count Marlanx. Besides,
! think l did CALL" Both men, stared
at her,
"My ears are excellent" said Mar
lanx stifhy.
II fancy Baldos' must be even better,
for he heard me-" said Beverly, herself
once more. The shadow Of smile
crossed the face Of the guard.
HE Is impertinent, insolent, your
highness. You will report to me tomor-
row, sir, at o'clock in Colonel Quin-
nox's quarters. Now. gow commanded
the count.
"Wait minute, Baldos. We are 60
ing out too. VIII you open that win
dow for meT Baldos gladly took 1t as
a command and threw open the long
French window. She gave him CRATE
full glance as she stepped Though, and
he could scarcely conceal the CLEAN of
JOY that shot into his own eyes. The
dark scowl on the counts face made
absolutely no impression upon him. He
closed the window and followed ten
PAGES behind the couple.
your guard is a priceless treasure"
said the count grimly.
"Thats what you said about the can.
dlestick." said she sweetly.
She was disturbed by his threat to
reprimand Baldos. For some time her
mind had been struggling with what
the count had said about "the lesson"
It grew upon her that her friend had
been bullied and Inundated, perhaps
In the presence Of spectators. Resent
ment fred her curiosity into action.
While the general was explaining one
of the new gun carriages to the count
ess Beverly walked deliberately over to
where Baldos was standing. Haddan's
knowledge of English was exceedingly
limited, and he could understand hut