Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-06-08
CHAPTER XIV.

lIN the stone walks below the
- steady tread Of sentinels rose
on the still air. In the Railways the
trusted guardsmen glided about like
specters or stood like statues An hour
before the great edifice had been bright
and full of animation. Now it slum-
bered.
1t was 2 o'clock. The breath of roses
scented the air; the gurgle of fountains
was the only music that touched the
ear. Beverly Calhoun, Diminishing Aunt
Fanny, stepped from her window
out upon the great stone balcony. A
rich oriental dressing gown, loose and
comfortable, was her costume. Some
thing told her that sleep would be q
long time coming, and an hour In the
warm, delightful atmosphere of the
| night was more attractive than the
close, sleepless silence of her own room.
Every window along the balcony was
dark, proving that the entire household
had retired to rest
She was troubled. The fear had en-
tered her head that the castle folk
We're regretting the advent of Baldos.
that every one was questioning the wis
dom of his being in the position he
occupied through her devices. Her talk
with him did much to upset her tran
guilty. That he knew SO much Of the
fortress bore out the subtle suspicious
Of Dangloss and perhaps others. She
was troubled, not that she doubted
him, but that II anything went wrong
an accusation against him, however
unjust, would be difficult to overcome.
And she would be to blame in large
degree.
| For many minutes she sat In the
dark shadow Of u. great pillar, her ell
bows upon the cool balustrade, staring
dreamily into the star studded vault
above. Far away in the air she could
see the tiny yellow lights of the monas-
terry, lonely sentinel on the mountain
top. From the heights near that abode
OF peace and penitepee an enemy
gould destroy the fortress to the south.
Had not Baldos told her sol One big
gun would do the work If it could be
taken to that altitude. Baldos could
draw perfect map Of the fortress.
He could tell precisely where the shells
should fall. And already the chief
men in Edelweiss were wond ering who
be was and to what end he might util-
lie bis knowledge. They were watch.
Ing him; they were warning her.
For the first time since she came to
the castle she felt sense Of loneliness,
a certain unhappiness. She could not
shake of the feeling that she was,
after all, alone In her belief in Baldos.
Her heart told her that the tall,
straightforward fellow abe had met in
the bills was as honest as the day.
She was deceiving him, she realized,
but he was misleading no one. or In
q distant part Of the castle ground she
could see the long square shadow that
marked the location OF the barracks
and mess room. There he was Sleep
ing, confidently believing in her and
her power to save him from all harm.
Something In her soul cried out to him
that she would be stanch and true and
that he might sleep without tremor
Of apprehepsivepess.
| Suddenly she smiled nervously and
drew back into the shadow of the pill
lar. 1t occurred to her that he might
be looking across the moonlit park,
looking directly at her through all that
shadowy distance. She was conscious
Of strange glow in her cheeks and a
quickening Of ne blood as she pulled
the folds Of her gown across her bare
throat
Not the moon, nor the stars, nor the
light In ST. Valentines, but the black
thing away of there on the earth"
said soft voice behind her, and Bev-
erly started as II the supernatural had
approached her. She turned to face
TIE princess. who stood almost at her
side.
"Yetive! How did you get hereT
'"That is what you are looking at,
dear" went on Yetive as II completing
her charge. "Why are you not In bed2"
| "And your thought you were sound
asleep long ago." murmured Beverly.
4 abominating the guilty feeling that
came over her. The princess threw
her arm about Beverly's shoulder.
II have been watching you for half
sp hour" she said gently. "Can't two
look at the moon and stars as well as
one? Isn't 1t my grim old castle7 Let
us sit here together, dear. and dream
awhile"
"You dear Yetive," and Beverly drew
her down beside her on the cushions.
But listen. I want you to get some.
thing out of your head. was not
looking at anything In particular"
Beverly, believe you were think
ing of Baldos," said the other, her fn-
! gers straying fondly across the girls
soft hair.
"Ridiculous!' said Beverly, conscious
for the first time that he was seldom
, out Of her thoughts. The realization
came like a blow, and her eyes grew
very wide out there In the darkness.
"And you are troubled on his &C
count. know It, dear. YOU
well, Yetive, why shouldn't be
worried7 brought him here against
his WILL" protested Beverly. "If any
thing should happen to him she shud
} dered involuntarily.
! Don't be afraid, Beverly. have as
much confidence in him as you have
His eyes are true. Grenfall believes
} In him, too, and so does Mr.. Anguish
, Gren says he would swear by him, NJ
matter who he is."
"But the othersY Beverly whis
} pered.
M, 81 L., 1t a,,t-