Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-06-22

skilifully. Later on, perhaps, she may
sign your death warrant. am proud
to hear, sir, that member Of my
corps has the courage to face the In
evitable, even though he be an alien
and unwilling to die on the field of bat
tie. You have my compliments, sir.
You have been on irksome duty for
several hours and must be fatigued as
well as hungry. A soldier suffers many
deprivations, not the least of which Is
starvation in pursuit Of his calling.
Mess is not an unwelcome relief to you
after all these ardueus hours. You
may return to the barracks at onoa
The princess is under my care for the
remainder of the campaign
Baldos looked first at her and then
at the sarcastic old general. Yetve
and her companions were waiting for
them ut the fountain hundred yards
ahead.
you may go, Baldos," said Beverly
In low tones.
II am not fatgued nor he began
eagerly.
Cop s1arled Marlanx. cam I to
repeat command to you? Do you ig-
more the word of your mistress p There
was significant sneer in the way he
said 1t.
"Mistress?" gasped Baldos. his eye
blazing, his arm half raised.
"Count Marlan6r' implored Beverly,
drawing herself to her full height and
staring at him like wounded thing.
II humbly impiore you not to miscon-
strue the meaning Of the term, your
highness," said, the count affahly. "Ah,
you have dropped something. Permit
me. It is a note of some description, I
shink"
He stopped quickly-too quicky-and
recovered from the ground at her tsot
the bit Of paper which had fallen from
her hand. It was the note from Ravone
to Baldos, which Beverly had forgotten
In the excitement of the encounter.
Count Marlanx, give me that pa
per" demanded Beverly breathlessly.
lis 1t love letter? Perhaps it is
Intended for me. At any rate, your
highness, 1t is safe against my heart
for the time being. When we reach
the castle shall be happy to restore
it 1t Is safer with me. Come. we go
one way and-haye you not gone, sir?"
In his most sarcastic tone to the guard.
Beverly was trembling.
mo, have not, and / shall not go
until l see you obey the command of
her highness. She has asked you for
that piece of paper" said Baldos,
standing squarely in front Of Marlanx.
"1nsolent dog! Do you mean to
question N.Y.
| "Give over that paper!"
IF you strike me, fellow, twill
be-
IF I strike you it will be- to kill,
Count Marlanx. The paper SIR" Bal
dos lowered over the Iron Count, and
there was danger In his daredevil voice.
"surely. sir, am but obeying your own
instructions. Protect the princess and
all that Is hers with your life,' you have
| said to me-"
"Oh, ! wish you hadn't done this,
Raldos!" cried Beverly panic stricken.
"You, have threatened my life.
shall not forget 1t, fool! Here is the
precious note, your highness, with my
condolences to the writer" Marlanx
passed the note to her and then looked
triumphantly at the guard. IT dare
say you have done all you can, sir. Do
you wish to add anything more?"
| What can one do when dealing with
his superior and finds him desplcable
coward?" said Baldos, with cool irony.
you are reputed to he a brave SOL
der. I know that to be- false or I
would ask you to draw the sword you
carry and He was drawing his
sword as be spoke.
"Paldosp implored Beverly. Her
evident concern Infatuated Marlanx.
In his heart he knew Baldos to be a
man of superior birth and a foeman
not to be despised from his own sta
ton. Carried away by passion, he
flashed his sword from its sheath.
"You have drawn on me, sir" he
snarled. II must defend myself
against even such as you. You win
find that am no coward. Time Is
short for your gallant lover. madam"
Before she could utter word of pro-
test the blades had clashed, and they
were hungry for blood. It was daHk
in the shadows Of the trees, and the trio
were quite alone with their tragedy.
She heard Baldos laugh recklessly in
response to Marlanx's cry Of:
ooh, the shame of fighting with such
carton as your
"Don't Jest at time like this, count"
said the guard softly. Remember
that ! lose, no matter which way it
goes. If you kill me lose. II beat
you lose. Remember, you can still
have me shot for INSTRUMENTATION and
conduct unbecoming"
"Stop" almost shrieked Beverly. At
the risk of personal injury she rushed
between the two swordsmen. Both
drew back and dropped their points.
Not dozen passes had been made.
II beg your highness' pardon" MUIR
INJURED Baldos. but he did not sheathe
hia sword.
HE forced it upon me-" cried Mar
lanx triumphantly. You were wit
ness to it all, l was fool to let it go
as far as this. Put up your sword un-
| til another day-if that day ever comes
to you"
HE will have you shot for this,
Baldos," cried Beverly in her terror.
Baldos laughed bitterly.
, q,