Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-26
W
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTC!iEON,
Author Of "Grsustark"


was won1ciir;: how much he had seen
end heard ii midnight.
IL thought the troops were massing
this morning." she said coldly. Don't
you mass too?"
There Is time enough for that. my
dear. ] came TO have Il talk with you
in private" he said mcaningly.
at is sufficiently private here, Count
Marlanx What have you to say to
me?"
II want to talk about last night. You
were very reckless to do what you
did,
"Oh, you were playing the spy,
them" she asked sc0rnfully.
IAN involuntary observer, believe me
and n jealous one. l had hoped to
win the affections OF an Innocent girl.
What saw last night shocked me be.
You'd expression"
We'll. you shouldn't have looked"
she rctortcd. tossing her chin, and tho
red feather in her hat bobbcd angrily.
81 am surprised that one as clever
ms you are could have carried on an
what do you meant
81 mean that | saw everything that
occurred"
well, I'm not ashamed of it." obsti-
nately. "Goodby, Count Marlanx"
"One moment, please. l cannot let
you off so easily. What right had you
to take that man into your room. Il
place sacred in the palace of Grau-
stark? Answer me. Miss Calhoun"
Beverly drew back in horror and be-
wilderment.
Unto my room!" she easped.
Let us waste no time in subter.
fuge. / saw him come from your win.
dow, and saw all that passed between
you IN the balcony. Loves eyes are
keen. What occurred in your cham Der
can only
stop! How dare you say such a
thing to ncf' she iiercey cried. "You
miserable coward. You know he was
not III my room. Take it bacl-take
back every word Of that lis"' She
was white with passion, cold with ter
rOr.
Bah. THIS is childish. am not
the only one who saw him, my dear
He was in your room--you We're in his
arms. It's useless to deny It, And to
think that ! have spared him from
death to have it come TO this. You
need not look SO Mortified Your Sc
cret is safe with me. l come to ma ka
Wit Gill To-,
change for your beauty It's worth /,
TO you. One word from me, you are
disgraced and Baidos dies. Come, my
fair lady, give me your promise. It's
a good bargain for BOTH
Beverly was trembling like n leaf
This phase of his villainy had not oc
Cured to her. She was like bird try
ing to avoid the charmed eye Of the
serpent.
ooh. you--you miserable wretch"
she cried. hoarse with anger and de
spar What cur you are. Yo,
know you are not speaking the truth
How can you say such things to me
have never wronged you She WA!
almost In tears, impotent with sham,
and fear.
ut has been pretty game of low,
for you and the excellent Baldos. 70,
have deceived those who love you hes
and trust you most. What will tn
princess say when she hears of las
nights merry escapade? What will
she say when she learns who was host
ess to n common guardsman at tn
midnight hour? 1t is no wonder tina
you look terrified. 1t is for you (
say whether she Is to know or not
You can bind me to silence. You hav
lost Baldos. Take me and all that
world never shall know the truth 70
love him, know, and there is but on
way IL save him. Say the word an
he goes free to the hills; decline an
his life is not worth breath of air"
And pretending TO believe this o
me, you still ask me to be your wife
What kind OF man are you?' she d.
handed, scarcely able to speak.
MY wife, he said harshly. "Ol
no. You are not the wife of Baldos,
he added significantly.
Heavens" gasped Beverly, crusl
ed by the brutality of 1t all. II woul
sooner die. Would to heaven my f,
Their were here, He would shoot yo
as he would dog. Oh. how 7 loath
yol! Don't YOU try TO stop mel
5 shall go TO the princess myself. Sh
r shall know what manner OF beast 20
: ave-
She was racing up the steps, fnmin
Z with anger and shame
Remember, I can prove what hay
= said Beware what you do. love 70
] so much that | now ask you to becon
4 my wife. Think well over 1t. 70,
t honor and mis- llfc' 1t rests with you
& he esled eagerly, following her to II
j. door
r You disgusting old fool she Esse
= turning upon him az she pulled Il
j. big brass knocler on the door
J. ~ must have my answer tonight
n you know what will happen" he snal
= ed, but he felt in his heart that he kf
r lost through his cagerncss.
l. She few to Yet!vos boudoir, consur
,. ed by rage and modification. Betwc'
O sobs and feminine maledlctlons ri
e poured tho whole story. in Gil Its ug
d ness, into the ears Of the princess.
d "Now. Yetlvo. you have to stand
me In this" announced tho narrat
9. concluslvcly. lor eyes boam!ng HOP
10 fully through her tears,
80 az cnnnnt provciit General Maria,