Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-06-22
Copyright. 1904. BY Dodd.
Mead md Company

= "
ion of what had passed between her
self and Baldos in this remote corner
OF the park. A deep sense of shame
was taking possession of her.
Marlanx. smiling significantly. looked
into her brave little face and permit
ted her to talk on until she had run ont
OF breath and composure. Then he
bowed with exaggerated gallantry and
informed her that he was hers to COM
mand and that it was not for him to
forgive, but to accept whatever was
her gracious pleasure He called upon
the chair bearers, and they took up
their burden. Beverly promptly changed
her mind and concluded to walk to the
castle. And so they started off, the
chair going ahead as if out of com
mission forever. Despite her efforts
to do SO the American girl-feeling
very much abused by the way-was
unsuccessful In the attempt to keen
the princess at her side. Yetlve DELHI
erately walked ahead with Halfont
and Dangloss. 1t seemed to Beverly
that they walked unnecessarily fast
and that Marlanx was provokingly
slow. Baldos was twenty PAGES be.
hind, as was his custom.
"Is 1t necessary for me to ask Won to
double the number of lessons am to
have7" Marlanx asked. He was quite
too close to her side to please Beverly.
Cant you learn in one lesson? Most
Americans think they know all about
poker after the first game"
Il am not SO quick witted, your high
ness"
Ear be it from me to accelerate
your wits, Count Marlanx. It might
not be profitable"
"You might profit by losing, you
know" he ventured, leaning stu dos.
er. Poker is not the only game of
chance. 1t was chance that gave me a
winning hand this evening""
II don't understand"
ut shall be my pleasure to teach
you in return for instructions am to
have. have tried to teach your ex-
cellent guard one phase of the game.
he has not proited, l fear. He has
been blind enough to pick losing
hand in spite Of my advice 1t is the
game of hearts" Beverly could not
but understand. She shrank away
with shudder. Her wits did not de-
sert her, however.
II know the game" she said steadily.
zones object is to cast off all the
hearts. have been very lucky at the
game, Count Marlanx."
"Uumpw was his ironical comment.
"Ah, isn't this a night for lovers?' he
went on, changing tack suddenly, ITO
stroll In the shadows, where even the
moon is blind, is JOY that love alone
provides. Come. fair mistress. share
this Joy with me-"
With that his hand closed over her
aeft arm above the elbow, and she
was drawn close to his side. Beverly's
drst shock Of revulsion was succeeded
by the distressing certainty that Bal
dos was helpless witness of this in
dignity, She tried to Jerk her arm
away, but he held it tight,
"Release my arm, stt!' she cried,
hoarse with passion.
"CaN your champion, my lady. It
win mean his death. have evidence
that will insure his conviction and ex-
ecution within an hour Nothing could
save him. Call him, say. and"-
II will call him, He is my sworn
protector, and will command him to
knock you down II you don't go away"
she Jared, stopping decisively.
"At his peril
"Baldos!" she called, without Sec
ond's hesitation. The guard came up
with rush just as Marlanx released
her arm and fell away with a NUT
tered imprecation.
"Your highness" cried Baldos, who
had witnessed everything.
"Are you afraid to die?" she demand
cd briefly and clearly.
"No!"
"That Is ALL" she said, suddenly calm.
II merely wanted to prove 1t to Count
Marlanx." Tact had come to her re-
lief most OPPORTUNITY. Like fash she
saw that conflict between the COM
mander Of the army and guard could
have but one result, and that disas-
tous to the latter. One word from
her would have ended everything for