Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-02
A,thor OF "Graustark'


Beverly and the princess exchanged
ficult to conceal 1t was clear TO Bev-
crly that Yetive had not told her hus-
band of the escape.
II don't know anything about Bal
dos" she answered steadily. Last
night some one shot ut him In the
park"
"rhe deuce you say!"
I'm order 70 protect him until you re
turned, Gren, | had him transferred
to guard duty Inside the castle" OK
planned the princess. ut really seem
ed necessary. General Marlanx ex-
poets TO present formal charges against
him this morning, so / suppose we
shall have to put him IN irons for a
little while. 1t seems too bad, doesn't
It, Gren?"
"Yes. He's as straight as a string,
I'll swear" said Lorry emphatically.
'I'll bet he wishes he were safely
out of this place." venturcd Anguish,
and two young women busted them
selves suddenly with their coffee.
1.-THE chance is he's sorry he ever
came into it," said Lorry tantalizingly.
While they were waiting for Mar
ianx the young Duke Of Mzrox was
announced The handsome Axphan-
ian came with relief and dismay strug
Cling for mastery in his face.
your h!ghness," he said after the
greetings. Il am come to inform you
that Graustark has one prince less to
account for. Axphain has found her
fugitive"
"Whcn?" cried the princess and Bev-
erly in one voice and with astonishing
eagerness not unmixed with dismay.
"Three days ago. was the reply.
"Oh,' came in deep relief from Bev-
erly as she sank back into her chair.
The same fear had lodged in the hearts
of the two fair conspirators-tha they
had freed Baldos only to have him fall
into the hands of his deadliest foes
Il have a message by courier from
my uncle in Axphain," said Mizro1.
"Ie says that Frederic was killed near
Talbot by soldiers, after making a gall
liant fight, on last Sunday night. The
Princess Volga is rejoicing and has
amply rewarded his slayers. Poor
Frederic, He knew but little happ-
ness in this life"
There was n full minute Of reflection
before any of his hearers expressed
the thought that had framed itself in
every mind.
"Well, since Dantan and Frederic are
<11 Dat nlr 81,
obliged to be Christobal," said Anguish
resignedly.
Hes Just Baldos," observed Bever-
~, snufIing out the faint hope that had
fingered so long Then she said to her
self "And l don't care. either. only
wish he We're back here again. I'd be
good deal nicer to him"
Messengers flew back and forth. car
rying orders from the castle to various
quarters. The ministers We're called
to meet at - o'clock. Underneath all
the hustle there was a tremendous i'm
| pulse of American cunning energy and
resourcefulness. Every one caught the
fever. Reserved old diplomats We're
overwhelmed by their own enthusiasm.
Custom bound soldiers forgot the he
reditary caution and fell into the ways
| of the new leaders without Il murnur.
The city was wild with excitement. for
| all believed that the war was upon
| them. There was but one shadow
| overhanGinG the glorious optimism of
| Graustark the ugly, menacng attitude
| of AXphain. Even the Duke of MizrOx
| could give no assurance that his coull-
try would remain neutral
Colonel QuinnoX came to the castle
| in haste and perturbation. 1t was he
who programmed the question that
Ietive and Beverly were expecting,
Where is Baldos:" OF course the
flight of the suspected guard was soou
Il matter of certainty. a single i'm
ploring glance from the princess, meant
for the faithful Quinnox alone, told
| him as plainly as words could have
said that she had given the man his
freedom. And Quinnox would have
died a thousand times to protect the
secret of his sovereign, for had not
twenty generations of Quinnoyes serv-
ed the rulers of Graustark with I'M.
fi!nching loyalty? Baron Dangloss may
have suspected tho trick. but he did
not so much MS blink when the princess
Instructed him to lunt high and low
for the fugitive.
MarlanX came at II. Under the dc
fiant calmness of his bearing there was
lurking mighty fear. His brain was
scourged by thoughts of impending dis
grace. The princess had plainly threat
ened his degradation. After ali those
years he was to tremblc with shame
and humiliation: he was to cringt
where he had always boosted Of domi
neering power. And besides all thi.
MnrlanX had Il bullet wound in his lef
shoulder! The world could not hav,
known. for he knew how to concea
pain.
He approached the slender, lmpcrl
Gus Judge in the council chamber will
defiant lecr on his face. II he wen
down into the depths he would dra:
with him the fairest treasure he nat
coveted in AL his gears Of lust ant
desire.
"A word with YOU" he said in a.
aside to Beverly as she came from tn
council chamber IA which she felt sh
should not sit. Size stopped and face,
him. Instinctively she looked to see
he bore evidence Of Il wound She wa
positive that her bullet had struck hin