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


the cloak snarled, furious at her resist
ance. you die as well as your lover
unless you surrender He cannot es-
cape me.''
And if refusei' cried the girl, try
ing desperately to gain time
Il will drive my blade through your
heart and tell the world it was the
deed of your lover
Baldos groaned His adversary, en-
couraged by the change in the situa-
ton, pressed him sorely.
Don't you dare to touch me, Count
Marlanx. know you!" she Kissed. Il
know what you would do with me. 1t
Is not for Graustark that you seek his
life"
| The sword came nearer. The words
died in her throat. She grew faint.
Terror paralyzed her. Suddenly her
heart gave a great thump of joy. The
resourcefulness Of the trapped was
surging to her relief. The yalor of
the south leaped into life. The ex-
hilaration of conflict beat down all her
fears. Take away that sword, then,
| pleasers she cried, her voice trembling,
but not with terror now. 1t was ex-
ultation. s'Will you promise to spare
his life? Will you swear to let him
go, if r.
mo, no; neverl God forbid!' i'm
plored Baldos.
s'Ha. ha" chuckled the man in the
cloak. "Spare his life! Oh, yes, after
my master has reyeled in your charms.
How do you like that, my handsome
goat hunterY
you internal scoundrel! I'll settle
you yetr' Baldos fairly fumed with
rage Gathering himself together for
a final effort. he rushed madly on his
rapidly weakening antagonist.
"Baldos,' she cried hopelessly and in
tone of resignation, Il must do it!
1t is the only way!'
The man in the cloak as well as Bal
dos was deceived by the girls cry. He
Immediately lowered his sword. The
lantern dropped from Beverly's hands
and clattered to the floor. At the same
instant she drew from her pocket her
revolver, which she had placed there
before leaving the castle, and fired
point blank at him. The report sound
ed like thunderclap in their ears 1t
was followed quickly by sharp cry
and imprecation from the lips of her
prosecutor, who fell, striking his head
with a terrible force on the stones. .
simultaneously there was groan
and the noise of limp body slipping
to the ground, and Baldos, victor at
last, turned in fear and trembling to
find Beverly standing unhurt staring
at the black mass at her feet.
'Thank God, you are safer Grasping
her hand he led her out of the darkness
into the moonlight
Not word was spoken as they ran
swiftly on until they reached little
clump of trees not far from one Of the
gates. Here Baldos gently released her
hand She was painting for breath, but
he realized she must not be allowed to
risk moments delay. She must pass
the sentry at once.
"Have you the watchword?" he
eagerly asked.
"WatchwordY she repeated feebly.
eyes, the countersign for the night.
1t is Ganlook. Keep your face well
covered with your hood. Advance
boldly to the gates and give the word.
There will be no trouble. The guard is
used to pleasure seekers returning at
all hours Of night"
SIS he dead?' she asked timorously,
returning to the scene of horror.
"Only wounded, / think, as are the
other men. though they all deserve
DEATH"
He went with her as close to the gate
as he thought safe. Taking her hand
he kissed it fervently. "Goodby! 1t
won't be for longr' and disappeared.
She stood still and lifeless, staring
after him, for ages. it seemed. He was
gone. Gone forever, no doubt Her
eyes grew wilder and wilder with the
pity Of it all. Pride fed incontinently.
She longed to call him back. Then it
occurred to her that he was hurrying
off 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 countersign and passed
through, not needing the curious
glances cast upon her by the sentry,
turned into the castle, up the grand
staircase and fed to the princess bed
chamber.
Beverly, trembling and sofbing,
threw herself in the arms of the prin-
cess. Incoherently she related all that
had happened, then swooned.
After she had been restored, the
promise of Yetive to protect her, what
ever happened, comforted her some
what.
TT must have been Marlanx," moan
ed Beverly.
"yyho else could it have been?" re-
piled the princess, who was visibly ex-
cited.
Summoning all her courage, she went