The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-10-05
CHAPTER XIV.

blissfuIly ignorant of the stir
he had created in certain cir
cIes, rode out for the first time
as a member of the castle guard. He
and Haddan were detailed by Colonel
QuInnox to act as private escort to
Miss Calhoun until otherwise ordered.
If Haddan thought himself wiser than
Baldos In knowing that their charge
was not the princess he was very much
mistaken. If he enjoyed the trick that
was being played on his fellow guards
man his enjoyment was as nothing
when compared to the pleasure Baldos
was deriving from the situation
The royal victoria was driven to the
fortress, conveying the supposed prin-
cess and the Countess Dagmar to the
home of Count Marlanx. The two
guards rode bravely behind the equi-
page, respondent in brilliant new uni
forms Baldos was mildly surprised
and puzzled by the homage paid the
young American girl 1t struck him as
preposterous that the entire population
of Edelweiss could be in the game to
deceive him.
'Who is the princess companionT
he inquired Of Haddan as they left the
castle grounds
"The Countess Dagmar, cousin to her.
highness. She is the wife of Mr.. An
guish."
81 have seen her before" said Baldos.
= strange smile on his face
The Countess Dagmar found it diff
cult at first to meet the eye OF the new
guard, but he was so punctiliously
oblivious that her courage was restored.
She even went so far as to whisper in
Beverly's ear that he did not remember
her face and probably would not rec
ognize Yetlve as one of the eavesdrop-
pers. The princess had fatty refused
to accompany them on the visit to the
fortress because of Baldos Struck by
a sudden impulse. Beverly called Bal
dos to the side of the vehicle.
"Baldos, you behaved very nicely yes
terday in exposing the duplicity Of
those young women she said.
7 am happy to have pleased your
highness," he said steadily.
1T may interest you to know thai
they ceased to be ladies' in waiting aft
er that exposure"
Eyes. your highness. it certainly is in
teresting," he said as he fell back into
position beside Haddan. During the
remainder of the ride he caught him
self time after time gazing refectively
at the back of her proud little head,
possessed OF an almost uncomfortable
desire to touch the soft brown hair
''You can't fool that excellent young
man much longer, my DEAR" said the
countess, recalling the look in bis dark
eyes. The same thought had been af-
dieting Beverly with its probabilities
for twenty -four hours and more.
Count Marianx welcomed his visitors
with graciousness that awoke won
der in the minds of his staff His
marked preference for the American
girl did not escape attention. Some of
the holder young officers INDUCED in
surreptitious grimaces, and all looked
with more or less compassion upon the
happy faced beauty from over the sea.
Marlanx surveyed Baldos steadily and
coldly, deep disapproyal in his sinister |
eyes. He had not forgotten the en-
counter of the day before.
81 see the favorite is on guard" he |
said blandly. Has he told you of the |
lesson In manners he enjoyed last |
nightY He was leading his guests to-
ward the quarters. Baldos and Haddan |
following. The new guard could not !
help hearing the sarcastic remark.
"You didn't have him beatenT cried |
Beverly, stopping short.
No, but imagine It would have |
been preferable. talked with him for |
half an hour said the general, laugh
Ing significantly.
When the party stopped at the drink |
ing fountain In the center of the fort |
Baldos halted near by. His face was
as impassive as marble, his eyes set |
straight before him. his figure erect |
and s0ldierly. An occasional sarcas
for his ears, made no impression upon
the deadly composure Of the new guard
who had had his lesson. Miss Cal
houn was conscious of vague feeling
that she had served Baldos an i'll turn
when she put him into this position.
The count provided a light luncheon
In his quarters after the ladies had
gone over the fortress. Beverly Cal
houn, with all Of woman's indiffer-
ence to things material, could not but
see how poorly equipped the fort was
as compared to the ones she had seen
In the United States. She and the
countess visited the armory. the ar
senal and the repair shops before
luncheon, reserving the pleasures OF
the clubhouse. the officers quarters
and the parade ground until afterward.
Count Marlanx's home was In the
southeast corner of the Enclosure, near
the gates Several OF the officers lunch
ed with him and the young ladies'.
Marlanx was assiduous In his atten-
ton to Beverly Calhoun. 90 much so,
In fact that the countess leased her
afterward about her conquest of the
old and well worn heart Beverly