The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-10-05

blood stormed his reason. "Th. joo
must be done tonight. You have your
Instructions. Capture him If possible:
but, II necessary. kill him. You know
your fate II you fail" Marianx actual
ly gr1nned at the thought Of the punish
ment he would mete out to them.
snow be orr
Rashly he made his way to the castle
front A bright moon cast its mellow
glow over the mass Of stone outlined
against the western sky. For an hour
ne covered In the shade OF the trees.
giving but slight heed to the guards
who passed from time to time. His
eyes never left the enchs nted balcony.
at last he saw the man. Bakdos
came from the door at the end of the
bacony. paced the full length In the
99llss3ppt|Ggahqte ASA f3ppGahqted "tfHq8hffr thsaR4at nesf
that had afforded him egress.
Inside the dark castle the clock at
the end Of the hall melodiously doomed
the hour OF 2. Dead quiet followed
the soft echoes OF the gong. A tall
figure stealthily opened the door to
Yetive's chapel and stepped inside.
L q
through the clear window at the far
end Of the room Baldos, his heart
beating rapidly, stood still for mo-
ment, awaiting the next move In the
game. The ghostlike figure OF a wom-
an suddenly stood before htm In the
path Of the mOonbeam. a hooded fig-
ure In dark robes. He started as II
confronted by the supernatural.
Come" came In an agitated whis-
per, and he stepped to the side OF the
phantom. She turned, and the moon
light fell upon the face Of Beverly Cal
houn. Don't speak. Follow me as
quickly rs you can"
He grasped her arm. bringing her to
a standstill.
81 have changed my mind" he whis-
pered In her ear. "Do you think will
run away and leave you to shoulder
the blame for all this? On the balcony
near your window an hour ago T.
"It doesn't make any difference" she
argued. "You have to go. l want you
to go. If you knew just how feel to
ward you you would so without {
murmur."
You mean that you hate me-" hi
groaned.
"I wouldn't be SO unkind as to say
that" she fiuttered. II don't know
who you are. Come, we can't delay
minute. l have key to the gate a
the other end of the passage. and
know where the secret panel Is locat
ed. Hush! 1t doesn't matter where
got the key. See! See how easy 1t Is:
He felt her tense little fingers In th'
darkness searching for his. Their hand!
were Icy cold when the clasp came. TO
gether they stood in niche Of the wal
near the chancel rail. 1t was dark. ant
a cold draft Of air blew across thet
faces. He could not see. but there wa
proof enough that she had opened tn
secret panel IN the wall and that tn
damp. chill air came from the under
ground passage which led to pom
outside the city walls.
"You go first she whispered nerH
ously. "I'm afraid There is Il lanter
on the steps, and have some matches
Well light 1t as soon as Oh, whs
was thatT'
Don't be frightened" he said.
think 1t was rat"
"Good gracious" she gasped. q
wouldn't go In there for the world"
"Do you mean to say that you inten'
ed to do SOP he asked eagerly.
Certainly. Some one has to retur
the key to the outer gate. oh, l SUI
pose I'll have to go in. You'll kee
them off. won't you?" plaintively. i
was smiling in the darkness, thinkiT
what a dear. whimsical thing she was
with my life." he said softly.
| They're ten times worse than lions
she announced.
"You must not forget that you r