Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-08-09
cHApTER XIV.


1UNT FANNY. what is that
n white thing sticking under
IHt the Window" demanded Bev-
erly late the next morning.
She was sitting with her face to the
windows while the old negress dressed
her hair.
Looks lax love letteh, Miss Bev-
'ly," was the answer as Aunt Fanny
gingerly placed an envelope in her mis-
tress'. hand. Beverly looked at it in
amazement It was Enthusiastically a
letter, addressed to her, which had
been left at her window some time in
the night. Her heart gave a thump,
and she went red with anticipated
pleasure. With eager fingers she tore
open the envelope The first glance at
the contents brought disappointment
to her face. The missive was from
Count Marlanx, but it was relief to
find that he was very much alive and
kicking. AS she read on there came
look of perplexity which was succeed
ed by burning Indignation. The man
in the cloak was preparing to strike.
Your secret is mine I know all that
happened in the chapel and underground
passage. You have betrayed Graustark
in aiding this man to escape. The plot
was cleverly executed, but you counted
without the jealous eye of love. You can
save yourself and your honor and perhaps
your princess, but the conditions are
mine. This time there can be no trihing.
1 want you to treat me fairly. God help
you If you refuse. Give me the answer
/ want, and your secret is safe. will
shield you with my life. At II o'clock
shall come to see you. have in my
possession a document that will influence
you. You will do well to keep close
mouth until you have seen this paper.
This alarming note was all that was
needed to restore fire to the tagging
blood of the American girl Its effect
was decidedly contrary to that which
Marlanx must have anticipated. In
stead OF collapsing, Beverly sprang to
her feet with energy and life in every
fiber. Her eyes were flashing brightly,
her body quivering with the sensations
of battle.
'That awful old wretch she cried,
to Aunt Fanny's amazement. "He is
the meanest human being in all the
world. But he's making the mistake OF
his life, isn't he, Aunt Fanny? Oh, of
course you don't know what 1t is, so
never mind. We've got a surprise for
him. I'll see him at II o'clock, and
them She smiled quite benignly at
the thought of what she was going to
say to him. Beverly felt very secure
in the shadow of the princess.
A clatter of horses hoofs on the pa
rade ground drew her to the balcony.
What she saw brought joy to her
heart. Lorry and Anguish, muddy and
disheveled, were dismounting before
the castle.
"Ah, this is Joy! Now there are three
good Americans here I'm not afraid,
she said bravely. Aunt Fanny nodded
her head in approval, although she did
not know what it was all about. Curl
osity more than alarm made Beverly
eager to see the document which old
Marlanx held in reserve for her. She
determined to meet him at II.
A message from the princess an
nounced the unexpected return of the
two Americans. She said they were Ito
use Harry Anguish's own expressioT0
ssbeastly near starvation" and clamor-
ed for substantial breakfasts. Beverly
was urged to join them and to hear
the latest news from the frontier.
Lorry and Anguish were full Of the
excitement on which they had lived for
many hours. They had found evidence
Of raids by the Dawsbergen scouts and
had even caught sight of small band
Of fleeing horsemen. Lorry reluctantly
admitted that Gabrieps army seemed
loyal to him and that there was small
hope Of conflict being ayerted, as he
had surmised, through the detection of
the people. He was surprised, but not
dismayed, when Yetive told him certain
portions Of the story in regard to Mar
lanx; and, by no means averse to see
ing the old man relegated to the back
ground, heartily Endorsed the step TAX
en- by his wife. He was fair enough,
however, to promise the general a
chance to speak in his own defense If
he SO desired. He had this in view
when he requested Marlanx to come to
the castle at II o'clock for consulta-
ton.
Gabriel Is deyoting most Of his ener-
gy now to hunting that poor Dantan
into his grave" said Anguish. Il be-
lieye he'd rather kill his half brother
than conquer Graustark. why, the in
human monster has set himself to the
task Of obliterating everything that re-
minds him Of Dantan. We learned
from spies down there that he issued