The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-10-19
Have you the watchword?"
eagerly asked.

nave you the watchwordT he
eagerly asked
"Watchword?" she repeated feebly.
"Yes, the .countersign for the night.
1t 1s Ganlook. Keep your face we'll
covered with your hood. Advance
boldly to the gates and give the word.
There will be no trouble. The guard Ia
used to pleasure seekers returning at
all hours of night
"Is he dead?" she asked timorously.
returning to the scene of horror.
only wounded. l think. as are the
other men, though they all deserve
death"
as~ .rsss<sssss asrshano
"f7sro -it rfervently &c Goodbyi II
won be for longw and disappeared.
ohe stood still and lifeless. staring
after MIN. for ages, 1t seenieu. He wos
gone. Gone forever, no doubt Her
eyes grew wilder and wilder with the
PIT! or 1t all Pride fled incontincntly.
she iOngcd to call him back. Then II
occurred to her that he was hurrvinp
OH to that other woman. No. he said
he would return. She must be brave
true to herself, whatever happened
she marched boldly up to the gate,
gave the countersgn and passed
through, not needing the curious
Slances cast upon her by the sentry.
turned into the castle up the grand
staircase and fled to the princess bed.
chamber.
Beverly. trembling and sobbinr
threw herself in the arms OF the prin.
cess. lncoherently she related all that
had happened. then swooned.
After Shc had been restored. tho
promise or ietive to protect her, what
ever happened, comforted her soma
what.
1T must have been Marlanx." moan.
ed Beverly.
WHO else could it have becn?" re-
piled the princess. who was visibly ex
cited.
Summoning all her courage. she Went
. on: First. we must find out if he Is
badly hurt. Wen trust to luck Cheer
up! She touched bell There came
a knock ut the door A guard was
told to enter. "EllOs," she exclaimed.
did you hear u shot fired a short time
ago"
Il thought 1 did. your highness, but
was not sure.'
"Baldos. the guard, was escaping by
the secret passage" continued the prin-
cess, wonderful inspiration coming
to her rescue. "He passed through the
chapel. Miss Calhoun was there. Alone
and single handed she tried to prevent
him. 1t was her duty. He refused to
obey her command to stop, and she
followed him into the tunnel and fired
at him. I'm afraid you are too late
10 capture him, but you may-oh Bev-
erly. how plucky you were to follow
him! Go quickly, Ellos! Search the
tunnel and report Mt once" Az the
guard saluted with wonder. admiration
and unbelief he saw the two conspir-
ators locked in each others arms.
Presently he returned and reported
that the guards could find no trace of
any one In the tunnel. but that they
found blood OH the floor near the exit
and that the door was wide open.
The two girls looked at each other In
amaZement. They were dumfounded.
hut Il great relief was glowing in their
eyes.
'E!los," inquired the princess, con-
siderably less agitated. does any one
else know Of this?'
mo, your highness; there was no one
on guard but Max, Baldos and my
self"
"Well, for the present no one else
must know Of his flight. Do you un-
derstand? Not a word to any one.
myself will explain when the proper
time comes. You and Max have been
very careless, but I suppose you should
not be punished. He has tricked us all.
Send Max to me Mt once"
"Yes. your hlghness," said Ellps, and
he went away with his heads swim
ming. Max, the other guard. received
like orders, and then the two young
women sank limpixs upolls asdivan. ss; :
on. how clever you are, Yctive,"
came from the American girl. But
what next?"
I'VE may expect to hear something
disagreeable from Count Marlanx. my
dear" murmured the perplexed but
confident princess, but / think we
have the game In our own hands, as
you would say In America"