Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-07-24
CHAPTER XVIII.
4: OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES: q.

CHAPTER XVIII.
I~(HIS startling announcement
threw the company into the
greatest excitement. Baldos
~ ran down the steps and to the
side Of the astonished princess.
prince Dantan" she cried, unbeliev.
ing.
He pushed the boyish figure aside
and whispered earnestly into Yetives
ear. She smiled warmly in response,
and her eyes sparkled.
"And this. your highness, is his SIS
ter, the Princess Candace," he an
nounced aloud, bowling low before the
girl. At that instant she ceased to be
the tmid, bringing boy. Her chin went
up IN truly regal state as she calmly,
even haughtily, responded to the dazed,
half earnest salutes Of the men. with
9 rare smile-a knowing one, in which
mischief was paramount-she spoke to
Baldos, giving him her hand to kiss.
"Ah, dear Baldos, you have achieved
your sweetest triumph-the theatrical
climax to all this time OF plotting. My
brothers sister loves you for all this.
Your highness'-and she turned to Ye-
tive with a captivating smile-"is the
luckless sister Of Dantan welcome In
your castle? May rest here In peace?
It has been a bitterly long year. this
past week. she sighed. Fatigue shot
back into her sweet face, and Yetiye's
love went out to her unreservedly. AS
she drew the slight figure up the steps
she turned and said to her ministers:
II shall be glad to receive Prince
Dantan in the throne room without de-
lay. am going to put the princess to
bed"
"Your highness," said Baldos from
below, may I be the first to announce
to you that there will be no war with
IDawsbergen?' ~
This was too much. Even Marlanx
looked at his enemy with something
like collapse in his eyes.
what do you meant" cried Lorry.
selling him by the arm.
II mean that Prince Dantan is here
to announce the recapture of Gabriel
his half brother. Before the hour is
past your own men from the dungeon
In the mountains will come to report
the return Of the fugitive. This an.
nouncement may explain in measure
the conduct that has earned for me the
accusation which confronts me. The
men who have retakens Gabriel are the
members Of that little band you have
heard 80 much about. Once was its
captain, Prince Dantan's chief Of stat
1.-The commander OF his ragged army
Of twelve. Miss Calhoun and fate
brought me into Edelweiss, but my
loyalty to the object espoused by our
glorious little army has never wavered
Without me they have succeeded II
tricking and trapping Gabriel. 1t !.
more than the great army Of Graustarl
could do. Your highness will pardon
the boast under the circumstances"
IF this Is true, you have accomplish
ed miracle" exclaimed Lorry. pro
foundly agitated. "But can it be true.
I can't believe 1t. 1t Is too good. 1t Is
too utterly improbable. Is that really
Prince Dantan2"
Assuming that 1t Is Dantan, Gren
fall" said Yetive, II fancy 1t is moi
courteous In us to let him stand over
there all alone and ignored. Go to him
please" With that she passed through
the doors, accompanied by Beverly ant
the young princess. sLorry and Others
went to greet the emaciated visitor IL
rags and tags. Colonel Quinnox ant
Baron Dangloss looked at one another
in doubt and uncertainty. What wer.
they to do with Baldos, the prisoner?
"You are asking yourself what is tt
be done with me-" said Baldos easily
1.-THE order is for my arrest. Only til.
/ princess can annul It. She has retired
on mission OF love and tenderness.
would not have her disturbed. There
| Is nothing left for you to do but t.
/ place me in a cell. am quite ready
Colonel aQuinnox. You will be wise t.
| put me in place where cannot hood
wink you further. You do not bear mt
grudge?' He laughed SO buoyantly
SO fearlessly. that Quinnox forgaye hin
everything. Dangloss chuckled, an un
heard Of condescension on his part
I'VE shall meet again, Count Marlanx
You We're not far wrong In your accu
sations against me. but you have mucl
to account for in another direction.
This is all clever trick" cried til,
Iron Count. eBut you shall find m,
ready to accommodate you when th,
time comes (
At this Juncture Lorry and Coun
Halfont came up with Rayone. Bal
dos would have knelt before his rule
had not the worn, sickly young maj
restrained him.
Your hand. Captain Baldos," h,
said. Most loyal Of friends. you hav,
i SIX s e szM !
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