The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-11-09

ing near. Is II because you fear the
love bear for your
Love. You don't really Stop!
Remember where you are, sir! You
must not go on with 1t. Baldos. Don't
come step nearer Do go tonight!
1t is for the best. have been awfulIy
wicked in letting 1t run on as it has.
Forgive me; please forgive me-" she
pleaded. He drew back, pale and hurt
A great dignity settled upon his face.
His dark eyes crushed her with their
| quiet scorn.
Il understand, Miss Calhoun. The
play is over. You will find the luckless
vagabond a gentleman, after all. You
ask me to desert the cause l serve.
That Is enough. shall go tonight
The girl was near to surrender. Had
| 1t not been for the persistent fear that
her proud old father might suffer from
her willfulness, she would have thrown
down the barrier and risked everything
in the choice. Her heart. was crying
out hungrily for the love of this tall,
mysterious soldier Of fortune
1T Is BEST" she murmured finally.
Later on she waste know the meaning
Of the peculiar smile he gave her.
II go because you dismiss me, not
because / fear an enemy. II you
choose to remember me at all, be just
enough to believe that I am not
shameless coward"
''You are brave and true and good.
and / am miserable, deceitful wretch"
she lamented. "You will seek Ravone
and the otterBY'
YES they are my friends. They
love my poverty. And now, may 1t
please your highness, when am to go
forth, and in what garb? 1 should no
longer wear the honest uniform OF q
Graustark guard"
Leave II to me. Everything shall be
arranged. You will be discreet? No
sne is to know that am your
REST assured, Miss Calhoun. have
q close mouth" And he smiled con- |
tsmptuously.
II agree with you" said she regret
fully. You know how to hold your
tongue" He laughed harshly. FOR
once in . way will you answer a ques-
tionr'
II viii not promise"
"You say that you are Dantan's
friend. Is 1t true that he lie to marry
the daughter of the Duke Of Mats,
Countess Iolandaf'
"It has been so reported"
"Is she beautifulT
"Yes; exceedingly"
"But is he to marry herF she insist.
ed, she knew not why.
How should l know, your high
ness p
IF you call me your highness' again
I'll despise your she fiared miserably.
another question: Is 1t true that the
young Duke Christobal fed because his
father objected to his marriage with al
game warden's daughterr'
II have never heard So" with touch
Of hauteur
docs he know that the girl is deadr
she asked cruelty. Baldos did not an
Swer for long time. He stared at her
steadily, his eyes expressing no emo
don from which she could Judge him.
II think he IS ignorant Of that ca
lamity, Miss Calhoun" he said. with
your permission l shall withdraw.
There is nothing to be gained by de-
lay" 1t was such palpable afrront
that she shrank within herself and
could have cried.
Without answering, she walked un
steadily to the window and looked out
into the night. A mist came into her
eyes. For many minutes she remained .
there, striving to regain control of her
emotions. All this time she knew that
be was standing just where she had I
left him, like statue, awaiting her |
command. At last she faced him reso- {
utely ,
You will receive instructions as to
your duties here from the guard at =
the stairs. When you hear the hall
clock strike the hour Of In the morn
ng go into the chapel, but do not let
my one see you or suspect. You know
where it is. The door will be TN
ocked" III
"Am l not to see you again? he ask
ID, and she did not think him properly ;
depressed.
yes" she answered after a pause
hat seemed like an eternity, and he
vent quietly, silently away.
H.