The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-10-26

with him the fairest treasure he had
coveted in all his years of lust and
desire.
"a word with YOU" he said in an
aside to Beverly rs she came from the
council chamber, in which she felt she
should not sit. She stopped and faced
him. Instinctively she looked to see IL
he bore evidence of wound. She was
positive that her bullet had struck him
the night before and that Marlanx was
the man with the cloak
'Well?" she said coldly. He read her
thoughts and smiled, even as his shoul-
der burned with pain.
II will give you the chance to save
yourself. l love you. want you.
must have you for my own," he was
saying.
Stop, sir! 1t may be your expert
ence In life that women kneel to you
when you command. 1t may be your
habit to win what you set about to
win. But you have novel way Of pre-
senting your devoirs, must say Is
this the way In which you won the
five unfortunates whom you want me
to succeed? Did you scare them into
submission"
NO, no! 1 cared nothing for them
You are the only one 1 ever loved''-
Really, Count MarlanX, you are
most amusing" she interrupted, with
laugh that Stung him to the quick
You have been unique in your love
making. l am not used to your meth
ods. Besides. after having known
them, I'll confess that l don't like
them IN the least. You may have been
wonderfully successful in the past. but
You were not dealing with an Ameri-
can girl. l have had enough of your
insults. Go i'm and face
Have n care, Sr!' he snarlcd. 81
have 1t in my power to crush you"
POOH came scOrnfully from her
lips. "If you modest me further shall
call Mr.. Lorry. Let me passw
Just glance at this paper, my beau
ty. 1t goes before the eyes Of the coun-
Gil unless you He paused signif-
cantly
Beverly took the document and with
dilated eyes read the revolving charges
against her honor. Her cheeks grew
white with anger, then flushed a deep
crimson.
"You fiendv she cried, glaring ut him
so fiercely that he instinctively shrank
back, the vicious grin dying in his face.
"I'll show you how much fear you.
I shall give this revolving thing to the
princess. She may read 1t to the cabi-
net, for all l care. No one will believe
you. They'll kill you for this"'
She turned and flew into the presence
OF the princess and her ministers.
Speeding to the side of Yetlve, she
thrust the paper into her hands. Sur
prise and expectancy filled the eyes Of
all assembled.
Count Marlanx officially charges me
with-with-read 1t, your highnessr'
she cried distractedly.
.Yetive read 1t, pale faced and cold.
A determined gleam appeared in her
eyes as she passed the document to her
husband.
"Allode." Lorry said to an attendant,
after brief glance at its revolving con-
tents. Task Count Marlanx to appear
here instantly. He Is outside the door,"
Lorry's anger was hard to control.
lie clinched his hands and. there was q
fine suggestion Of throttllng in the way
he did It, Marlanx. entering the room,
saw that he was doomed. He had not
expected Beverly to take this appalling
step. The girl, tears in her eyes, rush
ed to window, hiding her face from
the wondering ministers. Her courage
suddenly failed her. If the charges
We're read aloud before these men it
seemed to her that she never could lift
her eyes again. y mighty longing for
Washington. her father and the big
Vol l.
she stood there and awaited the crash.
But Lorry was true noblcman.
Gentlemen" he said quietly, Count
MarlanX has seen fit to charge Miss
Calhoun with completely in. the flight
Of Baldos. I will not read the charges
to you. They are unworthy Of one who
has held the highest position in the
army of Graustark. He has
Read this, my husband, before you
proceed further" said Yetive. thrusting
into his hand line she had written
with feverish haste. Lorry smiled
gravely before he read aloud the brief
edict which removed General Mar!anx
from the command of the army Of
Graustark.
us this justice" protested Marlanx
angrly. "Will you not give me hear
ing? l beseech'-
'Silence! commanded the princess
what manner Of hearing did you ex-
pect to give Miss Calhoun? 1t is
enough, sir. There shall be no towards
in my army"
"COward?" he faltered. "Have not
proved my courage on the field of bat
tie? Am to be called a.
bravery should not end when the