The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-11-30
lis degradatlon. After AM


shoulder! The world could not have
known. for he knew how to conceal
pain.
He approached the slender, imperi
GUS judge IN the council chamber viii
a defiant leer on his face. If he went
down into the depths he would drae
with him the fairest treasure he had
coveted in all his years of lust and
desire.
"a word with you" he said in an
aside to Beverly as she came from the
council chamber, in which she fe.t she
should not sit. She stopped and faced
him. Instinctively she looked to see if
he bore evidence of a wound. She was
positive that her bullet had struck him
the night before and that Marlanx was
the man with the cloak.
"WellT' she said coldly. He read her
thoughts and smiled, even as his shout
der burned with pain.
II will give you the chance to save
yourself. / love you. want you. l
must have You for my own" he was
saying.
"Stop, sir! 1t may be your expert
ence in life that women kneel to you
when you command. 1t may be your
habit to win what you set about to
win. But you have a novel way of pre-
senting your devoirs, must say. Is
this the way In which you won the
FIVE unfortunates whom you want me
to succeed? Did you scare them into
submission
mo, no! l cared nothing for them.
You are the only one ever loved
Really, Count Marlanx, you are
most amusing" she interrupted, with
q laugh that stung him to the quick.
"You have been unique in your love
making. | am not used to your meth
DDS. Besides, after having known
them, I'll confess that l don't like
them in the least. You may have been
wonderfully successful in the past, but
you were not dealing with an Ameri-
can girl / have had enough of your
insults. Go in and face
"Have a care, girl"' he snarled. II
have 1t in my power to crush you"
"Poohr' came scornfully from her
hips. "If you modest me further l shall
call Mr. Lorry. Let me pass!'
Just glance at this paper, my beau
u. 1t goes before the eyes of the coun-
ell unless you He paused signif-
cantly.
Beverly took the document and with
Ailated eyes read the revolving charges
against her honor. Her cheeks grew
white with anger, then flushed a deep
crimson.
You flendY. she cried. glarlng at him
80 6erceiy that be instinctively shrank
hack. the vicious grin dying in his face.
"r'N show you how much I fear you.
1 shall give this revolving thing to the
Dgincess. She may read It to the cabi-
aet, for all care. No one will believe
you They'll Kill you for this!"
She turned and dew into the presence
e the princess and her ministers.
Speeding 70 the side Of Yetive. she
thrust the paper into her hands. Sur
Drise and expectancy allied the eyes Of
81 assembled. b.
Count MaFianx ofAcialiy charges me
win -'with-road II. your highness?'
sAe cried distFactsdiy. .
Ystive read It, pale faced and cold
A determined gleam appeared In her
syss a. she passed the document 10 her |
husband. .t
"Allode," Lowry said b an attendant.
after brief glance at its revolving con-
tents, TASK Count Marianx to appear
here instantly. He 10 outside the door,"
Loryy's anger wac hard to control. !
He clinched his hands and there was
6ne suggestion Of throttling in the way
ne did II. Marlanx, entering the room,
saw that he was doomed. He had not
expected Beverly to take this appalling
step. The girl, tears in her eyes. rush
ed to window, hiding her face from
the wondering ministers. Her courage
suddenly failed her. II the charges
were read aloud before these men 1t
seemed to her that she never could lift
her eyes again. A mighty longing for
her father and the big
CAlnOun boys ruSueu 10 ueT ueart as
she stood there and awaited the crash.
But Lorry was true nobleman.
Gentlemen" he said quietly, Count
has seen At to charge Miss
with completely in the flight
of Baldos. will not read the charges
to you They are unworthy Of one who
has held the highest position in the
army Of Graustark He has
Read this. my husband. before you
proceed further" said Yetlve, thrusting
INTO his hand q line she had written
With feverish haste. Lorry smiled
gTavely before he read aloud the brief
dict which removed General Marlanx
,rom the command OF the army Of
sraustark.
els this justicey' protested Marlanx
gngrily. win yot not give me hear
Agi I beseech"-
"SIlencer' commanded the princess.
What manner OF hearing did you ex-
Sect to gfte Mias Caikoufi? II Ii
air TNR,axa aha m IN M ~n-avA. |