The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-08-24

the impression that had been forced
upon the witnesses, voluntary or in
voluntary. as the case might be. Bal
dos could do nothing to help her. while
she was compelled to face the suspi-
clons Of her best friends At best It
could be considered nothing short of a
clandestlne meeting. the consequences
of which she must suffer, not he In
his heated brain he was beginning to
picture scandal with all the disgusting
details that grow out of evil misrepre-
sentatlon.
Count Halfont separated himself
from the group Of three and advanced
to the sedan chair. MarlanX and Dan
gloss were arguing earnestly in low
tones
Shall we return, your highness?"
asked Halfont. addressing both with
one Of his rarest smiles. "Tf I remem-
Der Alright. we were to dine en- famille
tonight, and it is well upon the hour.
Besides. Count AfarlanX Is a little dis
tressed by your observation-disclosures,
Miss Beverly. and fancy he is eager
to have 1t out with YOU"
My observation-disclosures? What is It
that have forgotteny' asked Beverly.
puckering her brow.
THAT'S the trouble. dear" said .Ye-
i've. You forgot your promise to teach
hlih now to play that awful game call.
ed poker. He has waited for you at the
castle since O O'clock. 1t Is now g. Is
1t any wonder that he led the searching
party? He has been ON nettIes for an
hour and half"
Goodness. Ill wager he's In a tenn
per-" exclaimed Beverly. with no re-
morse. but some apprehension.
1T would be wisdom to apologize to
him." suggested Yetive, and her uncle
nodded earnestly.
"All right. think / can get him into
good humor without half trying. Oh.
Count Marlanx! Come here, please.
You aren't angry with me, are you?
Wasn't it awful for me to run away
and leave you to play solitaire instead
OF poker? But, don't you know, l was
SO wretchedly tired after the ride, and
l knew you wouldn't mind If r. and
50 she ran glibly on. completely fore
stallinS him, to the secret amusement
OF the others. Nevertheless, she was
nervous and embarrassed over the sit
uation. There was every reason to
fear that the Iron Count had heard and
seen enough to form a pretty good opin-
lon Of what had passed between her
self and Baldos in this remote corner
OF the park. 4 deep sense of shame
was taking possession Of her.
Marlanx. smiling significantly, looked
into her brave little face and permit
ted her to talk on until she had run out
or breath and cOmposure. Then he
bowed with exaggerated gallantry and
informed her that he was hers to com
lnand and that 1t was not for him to
forgive. but to accept whatever was
her gracious pleasure. He called upon
the chair bearers, and they took UP
their burden. Beverly promptly changed
her mind and concluded to walk to the
castle. And SO they started off, the
chair going ahead as If out OF COM
mission forever. Despite her effortA
to do SO the American girl-feeling
very much abused. by the way-was
unsuccessful In the attempt to keep
the princess at her side. Yetive delib-
erately walked ahead with lIalfont
and Dangloss. 1t seemed to Beverly
that they walked unnecessarily fast
and that Marlanx was provokingly
slow. BaldOs was twenty PAGES be-
hind, as was his custom.
"Is 1t necessary for me to ask you to
double the number Of lessons I am to
have?" Marlanx asked. He was quite
too close to her side to please Beverly.
Cant you learn In one lesson? Most
Americans think they know all about
poker after the first game"
II am not so quick witted, your high.
ness"
"Far be 1t from me to accelerate
your wits, Count Marlanx. 1t might
not be profitable"
''You might profit by losing. you
know" he ventured. leaning still clos
er. Poker Is not ~e only game of
chance. 1t was chance that gave me a
winning hand this evening"
81 don't understand"
"It shall be my pleasure to teach
you In return for instructions / am to
have. l have tried to teach your ex-
,ellcnt guard one phase of the game.
He has not prOtited, | fear. He has
been blind enough to pick n losing
hand In spite of my advice. 1t Is the
game Of hearts" Beverly could not
but understand. She shrank away
with shuddcr. Her wits did not de-
Bert her. however.
81 know the game" she said steadily.
zones object is to cast off all the
hearts l have been very lucky Mt the
game, Count MarlanX."
"Uump!' was his ironical comment.
"Ah, isn't this n night for lovers" lie
went OH, changing tack suddenly. ITO
stroll In the shadows, where even the
moon Is blind. Is Joy that love alone
provides. Come, fair mistress, share