Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-12


thing goes wrong l alone am to blame
for exposing poor urnustark to danger.
OH why didn't cry out this after.
noonw
&c! knew you would not" he said,
with cool unconcern
"Insolence! What do you mean BY
thnt?" she cried in confusion.
I'm your heart you knew I was doing
no wrong. You shielded me then, as
you have shielded mo from the begln-
ming"
II don't see why sit here and let
you talk to me like that" she said, feel.
Ing the symptoms Of collapse. "You
have not been fair with me, Baldos.
You are laughing at me now and call.
ing me q witless little fool. You-you
did something today that shakes my
faith to the very bottom. never can
trust you again. Good heaven, l hate
to confess toto every one that you are
not honest"
Your highness!" he implored, com
ing close to the chair and bending over
her. Before God l am honest with
you. Believe me when I say that I
have done nothing to injure Graustark.
/ cannot tell you what it was that
passed between Havone and me, but I
swear on my soul that have not been
disloyal to my oath. Won't you trust
mey Won't you believer" His breath
was tanning her ear, his voice was
eager. She could feel the intensity Of
his eyes.
ooh, don't--dont know what to say
to you" she murmured. II have been
so wrought up with fear and disap-
pontment. You'll admit that it was
very suspicious, won't your" she cried
almost plcadngly.
yes. yes" lie answered. His hand
touched her arm, perhaps unconscious
ly. She threw back her head to give
him a look of rebuke. Their eyes met,
and after moment both were full Of
pleading Her lips parted, but the
words would not come. She was after
ward more than thankful for this, be-
cause his eyes impelled her to give
voice to amazing things that suddenly
rushed to her head.
81 want to believe you" she whis-
pered softly.
"You must-you do. I would give
you my life. You have it now. 1t Is
in your keeping and with it my honor
Trust me. beseech you. have trust
ed you"
II brought you here she began. de-
Tending him Involuntary. "But, Bal
dos. you forget that I am the prin-
cess" She drew away in sudden shy
ness. her cheeks rosy once more. her
eyes filing with the most Interestingly
unreasonable tears. He did not move
for what seemed hours to her. She
heard the sharp catch of his breath
and felt the repression that was mas
tering some unwelccme emotion in him.
Lights were springng into existence
n all parts Of the park. Beverly saw
The solitary window in the monastery
far away, and her eyes fastened on it
rs il for sustenance in this crisis of her
life-this moment of surprise, this mo-
ment when she felt him laying hands
upon the heart she had not suspected
VI treason. Twilight was upon them;
|
ing up to lend unfair advantage to the
forces against which they were strug.
Cling. The orchestra in the castle was
playing something soft and teuder-
oh. so far away!
II forget that I am a slave. your
hlghness." he said at last, and his voice
thrilled her through and through. She
Nj, 30 Nov Il It's
may found his face and eyes still close
to hers. glowing in the darkness.
CHOSE men over there" she whis-
pered helplessly-"they are looking at
you."
Now I thank God eternally," he
cried softly. you do DOT punish me:
you do not rebuke me. God, there is no
night"
"You-you must not talk like that"
she cried, pulling herself together sud-
denly. Il cannot permit it, Baldos.
You forget who you are, sir"
"Ah. yes, your hlghness," he said be-
fore he stood erect. II forget that
was suspected traitor. Now 1 am
guilty of leze majesty" Beverly felt
| ueTStll SEOW IOl SOhluSi
What am / 10 do with your" she
cried in perplexity, her heart beating
shamefully. You swear you are hon.
est, and yet you won't tell me the
truth Now, don't stand like that!
You are as straight as ramrod, and I
know your dignity is terribly offended.
| may be foolish, but l do believe you
intend no harm to Graustark. You
cannot be traitor"
II will some day give my life to re-
pay you for those words, your high.
ness" he said Her hand was resting
on the side of the chair. Something
warm touched 1t, and then 1t was lift
ed resistlessly. Hot, passionate lips
burned themselves into the white fin-
gers, and g, glow went into every fber
of her body.
oh" was all she could say He
gently released tho hand ans threw up
his chin resolutely.
II am almost ready 10 de-" he said.
She laughed for the first time since
they entered the park
II don't know how to treat you" she
said In helpless futter. "You know
princess has many trials In life"
mot the fenst of which Is woman
hood"
"Baldos," she said after long