Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-08-02

SOtuHduu Al last Sue raced MIN reSO-
lutely
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 2 in the morn
ing go into the chapel, but do not let
any one see you or suspect. You know
where 1t is. The door will be I'M
locked
"Am not to see you again?" he ask
ed, and she did not think him properly
depressed.
Yes she answered after a pause
that seemed like an eternity, and he
went quietly. silently away.
CHAPTER XIV.
ETaTEHILE Baldos was standing
IM guard in the long, lofty hall
lIHl way the Iron Count was busy
with the Vaccinations which
were calculated to result in a startling
upheayal with the break of a new day.
| He prepared and swore to the charges
| preferred against Baldos. They were
dispatched to the princess for her
l. ,CL
about preparing the vilest accusations
against Beverly Calhoun. In his own
! handwriting and over his own sigma
| ture he charged her with completely In
the betrayal of Graustark, Influenced
by the desires of the lover who mas
| queraued as her protege. At some
| length he dwelt upon the well laid plot
of the spy and his accomplice. He told
of their secret meetings, their outrages
against the dignity of the court and
their unmistakable animosity toward
Graustark For each and every count
in his vicious Indictment against the
girl he professed to have absolute
reputable witness.
1t was not the design Of Marlanx to
present this document to the princess
and her cabinet He knew full well
that it would meet the fate it deserved.
1t was intended for the eyes of Beverly
Calhoun alone. By means of the vile
accusations, false though they were, he
hoped to terrorize her into submission.
He longed to possess this 1.-the, beauti-
full creature from over the sea. In all
his life he had not hungered for any
thing as he now crayed Beverly Cal
houn. He saw that his position in the
army was rendered insecure by the
events Of the last day. A bold, vicious
stroke was his only means for securing
the prize he longed for more than he
longed for honor and fame.
Restless and enraged, consumed by
jealousy and fear, he hung about the
castle grounds long after he had drawn
the diabolical charges. He knew that
Baldos was inside the castle, favored,
while he, noble of the realm, was rele-
gated to ignominy and the promise Of
degradation. Encamped outside the
city walls the army lay without a
leader. Each hour saw the numbers
augmented by the arrival of reserves
from the districts or the principality.
His place was out there with the staff,
yet he .coula not drag himself away
from the charmed circle In wiileA his
prey was sleeping. Morose and grim
he anxiously paced to and fro In an
obscure corner of the grounds.
"What keeps the scoundrel?' he said
tn birnsoif angrily.
Presently villainous looking man,
dressed in the uniform Of the guards,
stealthily approached. Il missed him,
general, but / will get him the next
time" growled the man.
Course you for foolr Kissed Mar
lanx through his teeth. AS another
hireling came up, "What have you got
to say?'
The man repsrfed that Baldos had
been seen on the baleeav alone, evil
deiislV on watch.
Marlans ground bis teeth and his
blood stormeo his reason. 1.-THE job
must be done tonight You have your
instructions. Capture him if possible;
but, if necessary, kill hip. You know
your fate if you fail Marlanx actual
" grinned at the thought Of the punish
ment he would mete out to them.
"Now be OFF,
Rashly he made his way to the eestle
front. A bright moon cast its mellow
glow over the mass of stone outlined
against the western sky. For an hour
lie glowered in the shade of the trees,
giving but slight heed to the guards
WIN passed from time to time. HIS
eyes nerer left the enchanted balcony.
At last 10 saw the man. Baldos
came from the door at the end of the
balcony, paced the full length in the
moonlight, paused for moment near