Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-07-20

| came back willingly, gladly. YOUR
nlghness. and now am ready to face
my aecuser. There Is nothing for me to
fear"
"And after you have confessed to all
these actions? By George, like your
nerve! exclaimed Lorry.
Il have been amply INDICATED"
cried Marlanx. "Put him in irons
and that boy too"
We'll interview the boy" said Lor.
~, remembering the lad beneath the
tree.
"See; he's sleeping so sweetly," said
Baldos gently. Poor lad, he has not
known sleep for many hours. l sup
pose he'll have to be awakened. poor
little beggar."
Colonel Quinnox and Haddan crossed
the grounds to the big cedar. The boy
sprang to his feet at their call and
looked wildly about. Two big hands
clasped his arms, and moment later
the slight figure came pathetically
across the intervening space between
the stalwart guards.
"Why has he remained here, certain
Of arrest?' demanded Lorry in sur
prise.
HE was safer with me than any
where else, Mr.. Lorry. You may
shoot me a thousand times, but l i'm
plore you to deal gently with my un-
happy friend. he has done no wrong.
Inc clothes you see upon that trem-
Ding figure are torturing the poor
heart more than you can know. The
burning flush upon that cheek is the
red of modesty. Your highness and
gentlemen, l ask you to have pity on
this gentle friend of mine" He threw
bis arm about the shoulder of the
slight figure as it dropped against him.
Count Marlanx was right. 1t was
woman he saw with me in the chapel
last night"
The sensation created by this simple
statement was staggering The flushed
face was Enthusiastically that OF young
girl, tender, modest thing that shrank
before the eyes of grim audience
Womanly instinct impelled Yetive to
shield the timid masquerader. Her
strange association with Baldos was
not OF enough consequence in the eyes
of this tender ruler to check the i'm.
pulse of gentleness that swept over
her. That the girl was guiltless Of any
wrongdoing was plain to be seen. Her
eyes, her face, her trembling figure fur
nished proof conclusive. The dark
looks Of the men were softened when
the arm Of the princess went about the
stranger and drew her close.
Bah! Some wanton or otherw sneer-
cd Marlanx. "But pretty one, by the
gods. Baldos has always shown his
good taste"
Baldos glared at him like tiger re-
strained.
Before God, you will have those
words to unsay," he Kissed.
Yetive felt the slight body of the girl
CULVER and then grow tense.
The eyes of Baldos now were fixed
Oh the white, drawn face of Beverly
Calhoun, who stood quite alone at the
top of the steps. She began to sway
dizzily, and he saw that she was about
to fall. Springing away from the
guards, he dashed up the steps to her
side. His arm caught her as she sway
ed, and its touch restored strength to
her-the strength of resentment and
defiance.
"pon'tw she whispered hoarsely.
HHave courage" he murmured softly.
sit will all be well, There is no dan
ger"
$50 this is the woman!" she cried
bitterly.
Eyes. You alone are dearer to me
than she," he uttered hurriedly.
II can't believe word you say"
"You will, Beverly. love you. That
Ia why came back. could not leave
you to meet 1t alone. Was not right?
Let them put me into irons-let them
kill me-
Gomez cried Colonel Quinnox, reach
ing his side at this instant. "The girl
will be cared for. You are prisoner"
"Wait!" implored Beverly. light sud-
denly breaking in upon her. 'Please
wait, Colonel Quinnox." He hesitated,
his broad shoulders between her and
the gaping crowd below. She saw
with grateful heart that Yetive and
Lorry were holding the steps as II
against warlike foe. SIS shells she
your wife?"
"Good heavens, nor gasped Baldos.
"Your sweetheart?" piteously.
"she Is the sister Of the man serve
so poorly" he whispered. Quinnox al
lowed them to walk few PAGES down
the tagging, away from the curious
gaze Of the persons below.
"Oh Baldosl' she cried. her heart
suddenly melting. us she Prince Dan
tan's sister, Her hand clasped his
convulsively as he nodded assent.
Nov I do love you"
THANK Godp' he whispered Joyous
ly. II knew it, but was afraid you
never would speak the words. am
happy am wild with Joy"
"But they may shoot you," she shud-
dered. "You have condemned your
self. Oh, cannot talk to you as !
want tout here before all these peo-
pie. Don't move, Colonel Quinnox.
They can't see through you. Please
stand STILL"
"They will not shoot me. Beverly.
dear. am not spy" said Baldos,
looking down into the eyes of the slen-
der boyish figure who stood beside the
princess. at is better that should
die. however" he went on bitterly.
Life will not be worth living without
you. You would not give yourself to
the lowly, humble hunter, so u