Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-07-19

'sAIistress? gasped Baldos, his eye
blazing, his arm half. raised.
Count Marlanxy implored Beverly,
drawing herself to her full height and
staring at him like wounded thing
/ 81 humbly implore you not to miscon-
1 strue the meaning of the term, your
I highness,' said the count affably. All,
you have dropped something. Permit
me- Ii is note Of some description, /
think
/ He stopped quickly-too quickly and
recovered from the ground at her feet
the bit of paper which had fallen from
her hand. It was the note from Ravone
to Baldos, which Beverly had forgotten
/ in the excitement of the encounter.
| Count Marlanx, give me that pa
| PERI demanded Beverly breathIessly.
rs it a love letter? Perhaps it is
intended for me. At any rate, your
highness, it is safe against my heart
for the time being. When we reach
the castle shall be happy to restore
| it. 1t is safer with me. Come, we go
one way and have you not gone, sir?"
in his most sarcastic tone to the guard.
Beverly was trembling.
aNo, I have not, and I shall not go
until 1 see you obey the command Of
her highness { has asked you for
that piece OF paper said Baldos,
standing squarely in front of Marlanx.
"Insolent dog! Do you mean to
question N.Y.
"Give over that paperi"
IF you strike me, fellow, it will
be-
IF strike you it will be to kill,
Count Marlanx The paper, sir" Bal
dos lowered over the Iron Count, and
there was danger in his daredevil voice.
surely, sir, am but obeying your own
instructions. Protect the princess and
all that is hers with your life, you have
said to me"
"Oh, l wish you hadn't lone this,
Baldosv cried Beverly panic stricken.
"You have threatened my life.
shall not forget it, FOOL Here is the
precious note, your highness, with my
condolences to the writer" Marlanx
passed the note to her and then looked
triumphantly at the guard. Il dare
say you have done all you can, sir. Do
you wish to add anything more?"
ssWhat can one do when dealing with
his superior and finds him a despicable
coward?" said Baldos, with cool irony.
'You are reputed to be brave sol
der. 1 know that to be false or !
would ask you to draw the sword you
carry and"- He was drawing his
sword as he spoke.
"Baldos!" implored Beverly. Her
evident concern Infatuated Marlanx.
In his heart he knew Baldos to be
man Of superior birth and foeman
not to be despised from his own sta
ton. Carried away by passion, he
flashed his sword from its sheath.
"You have drawn on me, sir" he
snarled. IT must defend myself
against even such as you. You will
find that am no coward. Time is
short for your gallant lover, madam"
Before she could utter a word of pro-
test the blades had FLASHED, and they
were hungry for blood. 1t was dark
in the shadows Of the trees, and the trio
were quite alone with their tragedy.
She heard Baldos laugh recklessly in
response to Marlanx's cry Of:
ooh, the shame of fighting with such
carrion as your
'Don't Jest at time like this. count, !"
said the guard softly. Remember
that / lose, no matter which way it
goes. If you kill me lose, il beat
you 1 lose. Remember, you can still
have me shot for INSTRUMENTATION and
conduct unbecoming
"Stopr almost shrieked Beverly. At
the risk of personal injury she rushed
between the two swordsmen. Both
drew back and dropped their points.
Not dozen passes had been made.
81 beg your highness' pardon" MUIR
INJURED Baldos, but he did not sheathe
his sword.
"He forced it upon me-" cried Mar
lanx triumphantly. 4sYou were wit
ness to it all. was fool to let it go
as far as this. Put up your sword I'M
til another day-if that day ever comes
to you"
"He win have you shot for this,
Baldos,D cried Beverly in her terror.
Baldos laughed bitterly.
cited and blindfolded, too, your high
ness, to prove that he is a brave man
and not coward 1t was short, but it
was sweet. Would that you had let
the play go on. There was a spice in
it that made life worth living and death
worth the dying. Have you other COM
mands for me, your highness3' His
manner was SO cool and defiant that
she felt the tears spring to her eyes
"Only that you put up your sword
and end this miserable affair by going
to your-your room"
ut is punishment enough. Tomor-
rows execution can be no harder
Narlanx had been thinking all this
time. Into his soul came the thrill Of