The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-09-28


h guard. Yetive flushed deeply.
bit her lip in hopeless chagrin
and dropped her eyes. A pretty turn,
indeed, the play had taken! Not word
was uttered for a full half minute; nor
did the guilty witnesses venture forth
from their retreat. Baldos stood tall
and impassive, holding the curtain
aside At last the shadow of smile
crept into the face of the princess, but
her tones were full of deep humility
when she spoke.
I'VE crave permission to retire, your
highness," she said. and there was vir-
tuous appeal in her eyes. Il pray for
giveness for this indiscretion and i'm
plore you to be lenient with two mis-
cradle creatures who love you so well
that they forget their dignity"
81 am amazed and shocked" was all
that Beverly could say. You may go,
but return to me within an hour. I
will then hear what you have to say"
Slowly, even humbly. the ruler of
Graustark and her cousin passed be-
meath the appraised arm of the new
9OoAAs AAN OPChCh a dOOA vi OppO-
site side of the room, and they went
out to all appearance thoroughly crest
fallen. The steady features of the
guard did not relax for the fraction of
a second, but his heart was humping
disgracefully
"a Come here, Baldos,' commanded
Beverly, bit pale, but recovering her
wits with admirable promptness. This
is matter which l shall dispose of
privately. 1t is to go no further, you
are to understand"
Eyes, your highness."
You may go now. Colonel Quinnox
will explain everything" she said hur-
riedly. She was eager to be rid of him.
As he turned away she observed a
faint but peculiar smile at the corner
Of his mouth.
Come here, sir!' she exclaimed hot
~. He paused, his face as somber as
an owls. What do you mean by
laughing like thatT' she demanded. He
caught the fierce note in her voice, but 4
gave it the proper Interpretation.
Laughing. your highness?" he said |
IN deep surprise. You must be mis- |
taken. ] am sure that could not have
laughed in the presence of princess"
ut must have been IA shadow,
them" she retracted, somewhat star
tied by his rejoinder, VERY well. then.
You are dismissed" -"s's,1,s~ss
As he was about to open the door
through which he had entered the room
it swung wide and Count Marlanx
strobe in. Baldos paused irresolutely
and then proceeded on his way with
out paying the slightest attention to the
commander Of the army. Marlanx
came TO an amazed stop. and his face
flushed with resentment. $3.50
Halt, sirr' he exclaimed harshly.
Don't you know enough to salute me,
sirf',
Baldos turned instantly his figure
strengthening like fash. His eyes
met those Of the Iron Count and did not
,wayer, although his face went white
with passion. -.
And who are you, STRIP he asked in
cold, steeiy tones, The count almost
Seeled. '-''-"sSiszp ,11s,g4-.-.~~-
~" Your superior officer! That should be
enough for your he half hissed, with
deadly levelhess. z; Ian
sv;:Qh, then see no reason why I !
should not salute you, sir" said Baldos,
with one Of his rare smiles. He salut-
ed his superior officer shade too elab-
eEatelE and turned away. Marlanx's
eyes glistened. 81 = ss::gsssii ~
Stop! Have I said you could 60,
sir? have bit of advice to-
'sMy command to 20 comes from
soGT Superior, SIR" said Baldos. With
Irritating blandnGss.
-Hn3 p@t!eat, general" cried Beverly.
IN deep d:st;'prr 3fI6 does not ka,7S,
~ fet.r, I Win stan, Sponsor tA
Hin" And Baldos went away with a
Light step his blood singing, his devil
may-care heart satisfied. The look in
her eyes was very sustaining. AS he
left the castle he said aloud to him
self with an easy disregard Of the con-
sequences; = r.. y -
"Well, it seems that l am to be asso-
claIeu WIN IHe ueVll as Well as Will
angels. Heavens! June is glorious
month"
Now, you proL.,sed you'd be nice to
him, General Marlanx," cried Beverly
the instant Baldos was out of the
room He's new at this sort of thing,
you know, and, besides, you didn't ad-
dress him very politely for an utter
stranger"
1.-THE inso.ent dogr snarled Mar.anx.
his self control returning slowly. He
shall be taught well and thoroughly,
never fear, Miss Calhoun. There is a
way to train such recruits as he, and
they never forget what they have
learned"
"Oh, please don't be harsh with
him." she pleaded. The smile of the
Iron Count was not at all rcassurlng.
Il know he will be sorry for what he
has done, and you