Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-02
little beggar."


the grounds to the big cedar The boy
sprnng to bis feet ut their call and
looked wildly about Two big hands
clasped his arms. and moment later
the slight figure came pathetically
across the intervening space between
the stalwart guards.
"Why has he remained here, certain
Of arrestW demanded Lorry in sur.
prise.
ale was safer with me than any.
where else, Mr.. Lorry. You may
shoot me thousand times, but i'm.
pore you to deal gently with my IN.
happy friend. He has done no wrong
The clothes you see upon that trem-
bling figure are torturing the poor
heart more than you can know. The
burning flush upon that cheek Is the
red Of modesty. Your highness and
gentlemen, l ask you to have pity on
this gentle friend of mine" He threw
his arm about the shoulder of the
slight figure as 1t dropped against him.
Count Marlanx was right. 1t was a
woman lie saw with me In the chapel
last night"
The sensation created by this simple
statement was staggering. The flushed
face was Enthusiastically that Of young
girl, tender modest thing that shranls
before the eyes of a grim audience.
Womanly instinct impelled Yetive to
shield the timid masquerader. Her
strange association with Baldos was
% In, tl,o
of this tender ruler to check the i'm
pulse of gentleness that swept over
her. That the girl was guiltless of any
wrongdoing was plain to be seen. Her
eyes, her face, her trembling figure fur
nished proof conclusive. The dark
looks of the men were softened when
the arm Of the princess went about the
stranger and drew her close.
bah. Some wanton or other" sheer
ed Marlanx. But pretty one, by the
gods. Raldos has always shown his
good taste"
Baldos glared at him like 4 tiger re-
strained.
Before God. you will have those
words to unsay," he Kissed.
Yetive felt the slight body Of the girl
culver and then grow tense.
The eyes of Baldos now were fixed
OH the white. drawn face of Beverly
Calhoun, who stood quite alone at the
top of the steps. she began to sway
dizzily. and he saw that she was about
to fall Springing away from the
guards. he dashed up the steps to her
side. His arm caught her rs she sway
ed, and its couch restored strength to
ler-thc strength of resentment ano
! defiance.
Don't" she whispered hoarsely.
"IIave coura GO" he murmured softly.
st will all be well. There is no dan.
ger"
$50 this Is the woman" she cried
bitterly.
Eyes. You alone are dearer to me
than She" he uttered hurriedly.
Il can't believe word you say"
"You will, Beverly. I love you. That
Is why came back. l could not leave
you to meet it alone. Was l not right
Let them put me into irons-let them
kill me-
Come" cried Colonel QuinnoX, reach
ing his side at this instant. 1.-The girl
will be cared for. You are prisoner
Wait" implored Beverly, light sud
denly breaking in upon her. please
wait, Colonel Qunnox." lie hesitated,
his broad shoulders between her and
the gaping crowd below. She saw
with grateful heart that 1etiye and
Iorry were holding the steps as II
against Il warlike foe. SIS she-ls she
your wife,"
Good heavens, no" gasped Baldos
"Your sweetheart?" piteously.
"She is the sister of the man | serve
so poorly" he whispered. Quinnox al
lowed them to walk few PAGES down
the tagging, away from the curious
gaze of the persons below.
ooh, Baldos." she cried, her heart
suddenly melting. rs she Prince Dan
tan's sister, Her hand clasped his
convulsively as he nodded assent
"Now do love YOU"
THANK God" he whispered joyous
ly. Il knew it. but was afraid you
never would speak the words. l am
happy-I am wild with joy"
but they may shoot you' she shud-
derpd. You have condemned your
self. Oh, l cannot talk TO you as
want tout here before all these pco
pie. Don't move, Colonel Quinnox
They can't see through you. Please
stand STILL
"They will not shoot me, Beverly
dear. | am not spy" said Baldos
looking down into the eyes of the slen
der boyish figure who stood beside the
princess. ut is better that | shouc
die, however" he went on bitterly
Life will not be worth living without
you. You would not give yourself tC
the lowly, humble hunter, so T.
II will marry you, Paul. l love you
Can't anything be done to-
1T is bound to come ont all right II
the end" he cried, throwing up his
head to drink in the new joy of liv
ing "They will find that I have done
nothing to iniure Graustark. Wait
dearest, until the day gives up its news
1t will not be long in coming. All, thi'
promise of yours gives me new life
new joy. l could shout it from tn,
housetOps!"
But don'tw she cried nervously
"How does she happen 10 be here will
, you? Tell me, Paul, oh, isn't she /