The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-09-21
By +:
GEORGE BARR :
M'CUTCHEON, +:
Author Of "Craustark- !.
SH :
GoeS.ioht. 1904. By Dodd. !:
mesd and Compsny !.
::.C.::: :::.:.:::::::.,..

oilng, hurried fingers she tore loose n
rose. He could not seize 1t with his
hands because Of the position he held,
and she laughed tantalzingly. Then
she Kissed 1t first and pressed it against
his mouth. His lips and teeth closed
over the stem, and the rose was his.
There are thorns," she whispered
ever so softly.
"They are the riches of the poor." ne
murmured. with difficulty, but she nm.
derstood.
Now. CO." she said drawing reso-
lutely away. An instant later his head
disappeared below the rail- Peerinr
over the side. she saw his figure spring
easily to the ground. and then came the
rapid Steady tramp as he went awuy
on his dreary patrol.
81 couldn't help it, she was whisper
ing to herself between JOY and shame.
CHANGING instinctivcly out toward the
solitary lamp. she saw two men stand
ing in it's light. One of them was Gen
eral Marlany: the other she knew to
be the spy that watched Baldos. Her
heart sank like lead when she saw
that the two We're peering intently to-
ward the blacony where she stood and
where Baldos had clung but a moment
before.
CHATTER NIL.
I~lHE shrank back with a great
nj dread in her heart. MarlanX,
of all men! Why was he in the
- park at this hour of the night2
There could be but one answer. and
the very thought OF 1t almost suffocat-
e~ ler. He was drawing the net with
his own hands, he was spying with his
own eyes. For Il full minute 1T seemed
to her that her heart would stop beat
ing. How long had he been standing
there? What had he seen or heard?
Invduntarily she peered over the rail
for a glimpse Of Baldos. He had gone
out into the darkness. missing the men
at the lamp post either by choice or
through pure good fortune. A throb of
thankfulness assailed her heart. She
was not thinking of her position, but
of his.
Again she drew stealthily away from
the rail. possessed Of a ridiculous feel
ing that her form was as plain to the
vision as II it were broad daylight. The
tread of n man impelled her to glance
below once more before fleeing to her
room. Marlanx was coming toward
the veranda. She fed swiftly, pausing
AZ ntber ,WipaQM- to lower the friendly
ING to attract her attention. Once more
she stopped to listen. The "Hist!' was
repeated. and then her own name was
called softly, but imperatiVeiy. IL was
beyond the power Of woman to keep
from laughing. 1t struck her as IRE
s,stibly funny that the Iron Count
should be standing out there In the
rain. signaling to her like lovesicR
how. Once she was inside, however,
did not seem so amusing. Still, 1t gave
her an immense amount OF satlsfacuoi
to slam the windows loudly. as II II
nure defiance. Then she closed tn
blinds. shutting out the night com
pletely.
Turning up the light at her dressin
table,. she sat down in a state or sue
den collapse. For long time sh
stared at her face in the mirror. Sh
saw the red Of shame and embarras:
ment mount to her checks, and the
she covered her eyes with her hands.
"Oh. what q fool you've been!' 81
half sobbed. shrinking from the mirr'
: as If it were an accuser.
u u She prepared for bed with frant
y haste. Just as she was about to scraI
BILE in and hide her face in the PILLOW
q shocking thought came to her. Il
i next instant she was at the window
and the Stats were closed with rat
e like a volley of firearms. Then
Jumped into bed. She wondered If
:. windows were locked. Out she spra
70 70 again like fash, and her little ba
70 feet scurried across the room, first
~ the windows and then to the door.
q Now l reckon I'm safe,' she m
INJURED a moment later, again getti
=. into bed. II love to go to sleep w
o. the rain pattering outside like tn
4. Oh, dear, I'm so sorry he has to w
y. all night in this rain. Poor fellow!
wonder where he Is now. Goodne
/, It's raining cats and dogs"
But in spite Of the rain she could
go to sleep. Vague fears began to t
i possession Of her. Something dreat
told her that Count MarlanX was