Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-26


THANK God. you are safe!" Grasping
her hand he ed lcr out of the darkness
into he moonlight.
Not a word vas spoken as they AN
swiftly IN until they reached little
clump Of trees not far rom one of the
gates. We're Baldos gently released her
hand. She was painting for breath, nut
he realized ihc must not be allowed 20
risk / moments lelay. She must pass
the sentry at once.
"IIave you the gntchword?" ne
eagerly asked.
"Watchword?" she repeated reebly.
"Yes. the countcrslgn for the night.
covered with Jour nood Advance
boldly to the gates and give the word.
There will be no trouble. The guard is
used 10 pleasure seekers returning at
all hours of night"
MS he dcad!" she asked timorously,
returning to the scene of horror.
"Only wounded. think, as are the
DEATH"
He went with her as close to the gate
MS he thought safe. Taking her hand
he kissed IL fervently. "Goodby! 1t
won't he for long" and disappeared
She stood still and lifelcss. staring
nfter him, fcr'a gcs, 1t 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 countcrsign and passed
through, not needing the curious
glances cast upon her hy the sentry,
turned into the castle, IN the grand
staircase and fed to the princess bed
chamber.
Beverly, trembling and sobbing,
threw herself In the arms of the prn-
cess. lncohercntly she related all that
had happened, then swooned
After she had been restored, the
ever happened, confortcd he: some
what
ut must have been Mnranx," moan
cd Beverly.
"Who else could II have bccn?" re-
piled tho princess. who was v!slbly ex.
cited.
SummoninE nll her courage, she vert
on: First, we must find out If he Is
badly hurt. Well trust to luck. Cheer
up" she touched bell. There came
Il knock at tho door. A guard was
told 10 enter. "Ellos." she cxclnm med,
"d!d you hear a shot fired short time
ngo:"
81 thought I did. your highness, but
was not sure"
"Bnldos, the guard. was escaping by
tho secret passage" continued the prln-
cess n wonderful inspiration coming
to her rescue. "lle passed through tho
chapel. Miss Calhoun was there. Alone
md single handed she tried to prevent
him. 1t was her duty. IIo refused to
obey her command to stop. and she
followed him into the tunnel ma fired
Mt him. I'm afraid you nrc too lnte
TO capture him. but you may oh. Bev-
crly, how plucky you were to follow
him. Go quickly, Ellos. Search the
tunnel and report Il. once" AS the
guard saluteI with wonder. admiration
and unbelcf lie saw the two conspir-
ators locked in each others arms.
Presently he returned and reported
that the guards could find no trace Of
any one In the tunnel, but that they
found blood on the floor near the exit
and that the door was wide open.
The two girls looked ut zach other IN
amazcment. They were dumfounded.
but great relief was glowing In their
eyes.
"Eilos," inquired tho p-laceSs, con-
sderably less ngitnted. docs any one
else know of this;"
mo, your h!Shness; there was nc ono
self"
"Well for the present no ono else
must know OF hlS tigllt, DO YOU uu-
derstund? Not II word TO any one. l
mysclt vii! explain when the proper
tlme comes. You and Max have been
very careless, but suppose you should
not be punished. lie hrs trcl;ed us all.
Send Max to NE at once
yes, your hlGhncss," said Ellos, aud
he went away with HIS head swim
ming. Max. tho other guard, received
like ordocs. and then the two young
women scuk Imply upon n dtvan.
"Oh, how clover you are. Iet!ve.'
came from the American g!:l "Rut
what ncXtT
"Wc may expect to hear something
tlisagveeahlo from Count MnrlHnX, my
dear" murmurel tie pegpie"cd but
confident princess. "hut think we
have the game IN our own bands. as
you would suy In America
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
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