Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-05

| tomorrow"
but he will have me shot, your
highness," said he gladly.
HE will do nothing Of the kind You
are my guard" And her eyes were
cleaning dangerously. Then she re-
Joined the group. the members Of
which had been watching her curious
| ly. Count Marlanx," she said, with
enhancing dimples, will you report
to me at o tomorrow morning?"
II have an appointment" he said
slowly. but with understanding.
But you will break it. l am sure"
she asserted confidently. 81 want to
give you lesson in-in lawn tennis"
Later on, when the victoria was well
away from the fort. Dagmar took her
companion TO task for holding in pub
lie friendly discourse with member
of the guard, whoever lie might be-
ut is altogether contrary to custom
and But Beverly put her hand over
the critical lips and smiled like a
guilty child.
Now, don't scold," she pleaded, and
The following morning Count Mar
lanx reported at o'clock with much
better grace than he had suspected
himself capable Of exercising. What
she taught him Of tennis on the royal
courts in the presence Of an amused
audience was as nothing to what he
learned of strategy as 1t can be prac-
ticcd by whimsical girl. Almost be-
fore he knew it she had won exemp-
ton for Raldos, that being the stake
for the first set of singles. TO his
credit. the count was game. He took
the wager. knowing that he in his
| Ignorance could not win from the
blithe young expert in petticoats. Then
he offered to wager the brass candle
stick against her bracelet. She onsid-
crcd for moment and then in spirit
Of enthusiasm accepted the proposition.
After all. she coveted the candlestick
Half an hour later an orderly was rid
ing to the fort with instructions to re-
turn NJ once with Miss Calhouns can
dlestick. 1t is on record that they
were love SETS which goes to prove
that Beverly took no chances.
Count Marlanx, putting and perspr-
ing. his joints dsmaycd and his brain
confused. rode away Mt noon with
Baron Dangloss. Beverly. quite happy
in her complete victory, enjoyed nap
of profound sweetness and then was
ready for her walk with the princess.
They were strolinC leisurely about the
beautiful grounds. safe in the shade of
the trees from the heat of the July sun,
when Baron DansIoss approached.
Your royal highness," he began,
with his fierce smile, may beg a mo-
ment's audience?'
eft has to do with Baldos. I'll take
oath" said Beverly with conviction.
yes, with your guard. Yesterday he
visited the fortress. He went in an Off
cial capacity, it is true. but he was
privileged to study the secrets of our
defense with alarming freedom. II
would not surprise me to find that this
stranger has learned everything there
Is to know about the fort" His listen
ers were silent. The smiles left their
faces. Il am not saying that he would
bctray us
mo, no. protested Beverly.
but he is in a position to give the
most valuable information to an enc
my. An officer has Just informed me
that Baldos missed not n detail in re-
gard to the armament or the location
of vital spots in the construction of the
fortress"
But he wouldn't he so base as to use
his knowledge to our undoing." cried
Ictive seriously
I'VE only know that he is not ono of
us. 1t is not beyond reason that his al
legiance is TO another power-Daws.
bergen, for instance. Count Marlanx is
not at all in sympathy with him, YOU
are aware He Is convinced that Bal