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

you and to the cause serve Before
God, have been true to my oath. I am
loyal to Graustark 1t was u sorry
day when left the valley and
oh" cried Beverly pteously, don't
say that"
ALAS, Miss Calhoun, 1t Is true" said
he sadly II am penned up here where
I cannot fight back. Treason is laid
against me. But, beyond all this, l
have permitted my loyalty to mislead
my ambition. have asplred to some
thing | can cherish, but never possess.
Better that never should have tasted
of the unattalnable than to have the
cup withdrawn just as its sweetness
begins TO intoxicatc."
lie stood before them, pale with sup
pressed emotion. The women of Grau-
stark looked Involuntary at Beverly,
who sat cold and voicelcss, staring at
the face of the guard. She knew what
he meant; abe knew that something
was expected Of her. A word from her
and he would understand that he had
not tasted Of the unattainable. In one
brief moment she saw that she mad de-
liberatcly led MIN on, that she mad en-
couragcd him. that she actually had
preferred him the cup from which he
had begun to sip the bitterness. Pride
and love were waCing conflict In this
hapless southern girls heart. But she
was silent. She could not say the
word.
81 think I know what you mean, Bal
dos said Yetlvc, seeing that Be7e rly
would not intervene. I'VE are sorry.
No one trusts to your honor more than
l do NV husband believes in you.
| will confess that you are to be arrested
as spy tomorrow. Tonight you are
II serve as guard IN the castle. This
should prove to you that l have I'M
bounded,faith in you. Moreover, be-
licve In you to the extent that should
not be afraid to trust you if you were
TO 20 out into the world with every
secret which we possess. You came
here under n peculiar stress of cir
cumstances, not wholly Of your own
voition. Believe me, I am your
friend"
II shall revere your highncss forever
for those words" said he simply. Ills
eyes went hungrily to Beverlys avert
cd face and then assumed q careless
CLEAN which indicated that he had re
signed himself to the inevitable.
Il am constrained to ask you one
question SIR" went on the princess
"You are not the common goat hunter
you assume. Will you tell NE in con
fdence who you really are" The 9th
ers held their breath. He hesitated fol
a moment.
"Will it suffice /. say that | an Ar
unfortunate friend and advocate Of
Prince Dantan? l have sisked 1very
thing for his sake, aud l fear l have
lost everything. have failed to be Of
service to him, but through no fault o.
mine. Fate has been against me-"
You are Chrstobal" cried Dagmal
eagerly.
He gave her u startled glance bu
offered no denial. Beverly's face wal
a study. If he were Christobal. thel
what of the game warden's daughter!
I'VE shall question you no further,
said Yetive. You enlisted to serv
Miss Calhoun 1t Is for her to com
mnnd you while you are here. Ma,
God be with you to the end. Miss Cal
houn, will you tell him what his du
ties are for tonight? Come. my dear.
Yetivc and Dagmar walked sioWl
from the room. leaving Beverly an
her guard alone
II am at your service. Miss Calhoun
: he said easily. His apparent indiHel
ence stung her into womanly revolt.
l 81 was IA fool last night she said at
ruptly.
NO; was the fool. I have been tn
fool from the beginning. You shall nc
blame yourself, for do not blame YOU
1t has been sweet comedy, sulnlne
pastilne. Forget what may have sal
to YOU last night, forget what my eye
may have said for weeks and weeks.
:. Il shall never forget" she said. "1o
deserve the beet in the world, Woul
that could give it to you. You hav
braved many dangers for my sake
shall not forget. Do you know that
were watched last night?'
: "Watched?" he cried incredulousl,
"Oh, fool that l am! I might HAY
known. And have subjected you to
!. to-don't tell me that harsh things haN
;, ;, been said to you, Miss Calhoun" Il
was deeply disturbed.
general Marlanx saw you, He hi
y threatened me, Baldos'-
Il will kill him! What do ! care II
the consequences? He shall pay dear
~ for
. stop. Where are you going? IC
are to remain here, sir, and take yo'
=, commands from me. don't want yc
n to kill him. They'd hang you. or som
>, thing just as bad. He's going to
punished, never fear" Raldos smile
+. In spite of his dismay II was impo
~ sible to face this confident champiC
~ In petticoats without catching her e
!, thusiasm. what have yo' done wi
with that rose?' she asked suddenl
~. flushing dhd lfident. Her eyes g..
n tenc! With embarrassment.
"a at lies next my heart. | lose It,"
said bravey.
~ Il think I'll command you to retul
70 1t to me- vaguely.
p "A command to be disobcyed. 1t
q in exchange for my feather" he smile
N confidently.
well. of course. If you are going
81 he mean about Now, let me see 81
:, said confused v what are YOUR Quti