The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-08-31
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Il am not fatigued nor he beear
eagerly.
Cor s,aried Marianx. -Am t,
repeat a command to your Do Won 10
more the word Of your mistress p 1her.
was Significant sneer In the way ne
sah It.
"MistressT' gnsped Baklos, his ey.
blazing. his arm half raised.
Count Marfanxr' implored Beverly
drawing herself to her fun height and
staring at him like a wounded thing.
humbly fmplore you not to miscon.
strue the meaning " the term. Won,
highness." said the count afrabiy. "Ab
you nave dropped something. Permit
me. 1t Is a note Of some description !
mink"
he stopped quickiy-too quickly-and
recovered from the ground at her feet
the bit OF paper which had fallen fpam
her hand. 1t was the note from RaI
to Bakos, which Beverly had forged Ten
IN the excitement Of the encounter.
Count Marlanx, give me that pa
per-! demanded Beverly breathlessly.
lis It love letterr Perhaps 1t Is
inteaded for me. At any rate, your
hiGhness, It h safe against my heart
for the time being. When we reach
the castle shall be happZ to restore
1t. 1t 10 safer with me. Gene. we 20
one way and-have you not gone. sir -
In his most sarcastic tone to the guard.
Beverly was trembling.
mo. I have nOt. and 1 shall not so
untn I see You obey the command Of
her hghness. She has asked you for
that piece Of papsr.- said Baldos,
standing sQuarely in front o< Aarlanx.
"lnsosen dogt Do you mean to
Question my
"G4ve over that papsrr'
"If PED strike me. feiiew. It will
be-
IN I Strike you It with be to kill.
Count Marianx. Tbs paper. STR" Bal
dos lowered over the Iron Count. and
there was danger In his daredevil voice.
Surely. sir. am but obeyfng your own
instructions. Protect the princess and
all that Is hers with your nfe,' you have
said to me-"
"Oh, I wish you hadn't done this.
Baldos!- cried Beverly, panic stricken.
You have threa tened my fffe. I
shall not forget 1t. fool! Here Is the
precious note, your highnees, with my
condolences to the writer" Marlanx
passed the note to her and then looked
triumphantiy at the guard. II dare
say you have done all you can. sir. Do
you wish to add anything morel"
What can one do when dealing with
his superior and finds him a despicable
coward?' said Baldos. with cool irony.
"You are reputed to be brave SOL
dier. know that to be false or
would ask you to draw the sword you
carry and"- He was drawing his
sword as he spoke.
"Baldos!" implored Beverly. Her
evident concern infuriated Marlanx.
In his heart he knew Baldos to be a
man of superior birth and q 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 will
find that I am no coward. Time Is
short for your gallant lover. madam"
Before she could utter a word of pro-
test the blades had clashed. and they
were hungry for blood. 1t was dark
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:
'Oh. the shame of fighting with such
carrlon as your
Don't Jest at time like this. count" !"
said the guard softly. Remember
that lose. no matter which way 1t
goes. II you kill me lose. If beat
you l lose. Remember. you can still
have me shot for insubordination and
conduct unbecoming''-
"Stopw almost shrleked Beverly. At
the risk of personal injury she rushed
between the two swordsmen. Both
drew back and dropped their points.
Not n dozen passes had been made.
"I beg your highness' pardon" MUIR
INJURED Baldos. but he Gid not sheathe
his sword.
HE forced 1t upon me-" cried Mar
lanx triumphantly. "You were wit
ness to it all. was a fool to let 1t 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.
Tiled and blindfolded, too, your high
ness, to prove that he is brave man
and not a coward. 1t was short, but 1t
was sweet. Would that you had let
the play go on. There was spice In
it that made life worth living and death
worth the dying. Have you other COM
mands for me. your highnessY His
manner was 80 cool and defiant that
she felt the tears spring to her eyes.
"Only that you put up your sword
and end this miserable affair by going