The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-10-19
BY
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHE0N,
nthor of era.
~
GOpyricht. 1904. hy DOdd
Mead and COMPANY


no wrong. You shielded me then. a.
you have shielded me from the begin
ming"
Il doa't see why l sit here and Lei
you talk to me like that" she said, feel
ing the symptoms of collapse. You
have not been fair with me, BaldoS
You are laughing at me now and call
ing me witless little fool. You-you
did something today that shakes my
faith to the very bottom. l never can
trust you again. Good heaven, l hate
to confess toto every one that you are
not honest"
Your highnessT he implored, COM
ing close to the chair and bending over
her. Before God l am honest with
you. Believe me when l say that |
have done nothing to injure Graustark.
l cannot tell you what it was that
passed between Ravone and me, but
swear on my soul that have not been
dislOyal to my oath. Won't you trust
me? Won't you believer" His breath
was tanning her ear, his voice was
eager. She could feel the intensity of
his eyes.
"Oh, dOn't-don't know what to say
to you." she murmured. II have been
30 wrought up with fear and disap-
pointment. You'll admit that it was
very suspicious, won't your she cried,
almost pleadingly.
Eyes, yes" he answered. His hand
touched her arm, perhaps unconscious
ly. She threw back her head to give
him look Of rebuke Their eyes met,
and after a moment both were full of
pleading. Her lips parted, but the
words would not come. She was after
ward more than thankful for this. be-
cause his eyes impeIled her to give
voice to amazing things that suddenly
rushed to her head.
II want to believe you" she whis-
pered softly.
You must-yOu do! would give
you my life. You have 1t now. 1t is
in your keeping and with It my honor.
Trust me, / beseech you. l have trust
ed you"
II brought you here she began, de-
Tending him involuntarily. But, Bal
dos, you forget that l am the prin-
cess! She drew away in sudden shy
ness. her cheeks rosy once more, her
eyes filing with the most distressingly
tears. He did not move
for what seemed hours to her. She
heard the sharp catch of his breath
and felt the repression that was mas. !
tering some unweieome emotion In hin,
Lights were springing into existence
In all parts Of the park. Beverly saw
the solitary window in the monastery
Tar away, and her eyes fastened on 1t
rs If for sustenance in this crisis of her
ife-this moment of surprise, this mo-
nent when she felt him laying hands |
Upon the heart she had not suspected i
If treason. Twilight was upon them;
he sun had set, and night was rush
ng up to lend unfair advantage to the
'orces against which they were strug
cling The orchestra in the castle was
playing something soft and tender
h. SO far away!
4 forget that I am a slave, your
lighness," he said at last. and his voice
thrilled her through and through. She
prned quickly aud to her utter dis
nay nay 1 toi1sd bis face and eyes still close
o hers, glowing in the darkness.
"Those men over there" she whis-
,ered helplessly-"they are looking at
our
"Now l thank God eternally," he
ried softly. You do not punish me;
,ou do not rebuke me. God, there is no
lightr'
"You-you must not talk like that" i,
he cried, pulling herself together sud
lenly. Il cannot. permit it, Baldos.
You forget who you are, sir"
"Ah, yes, your highness," he said be-
ore he stood erect. Il forget that l
vas a suspected traitor. Now 1 am
.uilty of leze majesty" Beverly felt
lerself grow hot with confusion.
"What am l to do with your" she
.ried in perpleXity, her heart beating /
You swear you are hon
,st, and yet you won't tell me the I
ruth. Now, don't stand like that!
You are as straight as ramrod, and
NOW your dignity is terribly offended.
may be foolish, but l do believe you
intend no harm to Graustark. You
annot be traitor"
81 will some day give my life to re- :,
,ay you for those words, your high
less," he said. Her hand was resting ,
IN the side of the chair. Something
warm touched 1t, and then 1t was lift I
ID resistlessly. Hot, passionate lips {
'urned themselves into the white fin '
ers, and glow went into every fiber
( her body.
"Ohv' was all she could say. He
emily released the hand and threw up :
is chin resolutely.
81 am almost ready to die" he said. {
he laughed for the first time since q
hey entered the park.
IL don't know how to treat you," she +
aid In a helpless fiutter. "You know
princess has many trials in life"