Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-06-26

half an hour he gave other sharp,
imperative commands, and in the twin
king of an eye the peaceful atmos-
phere was transformed into the turbu-
lent, exciting rush Of activity. The sig
nifcance Of the fires seen in the hills
could not be eheaply held. Instant ac-
ton was demanded. The city was fill
ed with the commotion Of alarm; the
army was brought to its feet with a
Jerk that startled even the most am
bilious.
The first thing that General Marlanx
did was to instruct Quinnox to set a
vigilant watch over Baldos. He was
not to be arrested, but 1t was under
stood that the surveillance should be
but little short Of incarceration. He
was found at the barracks shortly after
the report concerning the signal fires
and told In plain words that General
Marlan1 had ordered guard placed
over him for the time being, pending
the result Of an investigation Baldos
had confidently expected to be thrown
into a dungeon for his affront He did
not know that Grenfall Lorry stood
Arm In his conviction that Baldos was
no spy and was supported by others in
high authority.
Marlanx was bottling his wrath and
holding back his revenge for distinct
purpose. Apart from the existence of
a strong, healthy prejudice in the
guards favor, what the old general be-
neved and what he could prove were
two distinct propositions. He was
crafty enough, however, to take advan-
tage Of condition unknown to Bev-
erly Calhoun, the innocent cause of all
his bitterness toward Baldos.
AS he fastened from the council
chamber his eyes swept the crowd Of
eager, excited women in the grand hail.
From among them he picked Beverly
and advanced upon her without regard
for time and consequence. Despite her
animation he was keen enough to see
that she was sorely troubled. She did
not shrink from him, as he had half
expected, but met him with bold dis.
dAin In hes eyes.
This is the work Of your champion"
he said In tones that did not reach ears
other than her own. II prophesied 1t,
you must remember. Are you satisfied
now that you have been deceived in
him?s
II have implicit confidence in him. I
suppose you have ordered his arrest?"
she asked, with quiet scorn.
He Is under surveillance, at my sug-
Sestion. For your sake, and yours
alone. am giving him chance. He is
your protege. You are responsible for
his conduct. To accuse him would be
to place you In an embarrassing posi-
ton. There Is sickening rumor in
court circles that you have more than
q merely kind and friendly interest in
the rascal. II believed that, Miss Cal
houn, fear my heart could not be kind
to him, but know it is not true. You
have loftier love to give. He is a
clever scoundrel, and there is no tell
Ing how much harm he has already
done to 0raustark. His every move is
% be watched and reported to me. 1t
win be impossible for him to escape.
70 save him from the vengeance Of the
army am permitting him to remain in
your service, ostensibly at least. His
hours OF duty have been changed, how
ever. Henceforth he is in the night
guard, from midnight till dawn. I am
telling you this, Miss Calhoun, because
want you to know that in spite of all
the indignity have suffered you are
more to me than any other being in the
world, more to me even than my loyal
J, ~ to Graustark. Do me the honor and
. Justice to remember this. have suf-
fered much for you. 1 am a rough
hardened soldier, and you have mis-.
construed my devotion. Forgive the
harsh words my passion may have in.
Bpired. Farewell! I must off to undo
the damage we all lay ut the door OF
!. the man you and are protecting"
al He was too wise to give her the
chance to reply. A moment later he
was mounted and off for the eastern
gates, there to direct the movements Of
Colonel Braze and his scouts. Beverly
few at once to Yetive with her plea fol
Baldos. She was confronted by {
rather sober faced sovereign. TIL,
news Of the hour was not comforting
! to the princess and her ministers.
! aYou don't believe he is a spy?" CRIED
/, beverly. stopping just inside the door
8 presuming selfishly that Baldos alone
{ was the cause for worry. She resolved
to tell Yetive Of the conflict in the
park.
Dear me, Beverly, l am not think
Ing Of him. We've discussed him joint
ly and severally and every other way
!. and he has been settled for the TIM
being. You are the only one who ii
thinking Of him, my dear child. W.
have weightier things to annoy U.S."
"Goodness, how you talk! He ism
annoying, Oh, forgive me, Yetive, To-
am the silliest, addle patedest COOS,
I In the kingdom! And you are so trou
J bled. But do you know that he is be
ing watched? They suspect him. S,
did at first; I'll admit it. But
don't now. Have you read the not
l gave to you out there?"
: Eyes, dear. It's just as I expected
He has known from the beginning
He knew when he caught Dagmar AM
? me spying behind that abominabl
, curtain. But don't worry me any long
] or about him, please, Wait here wit
, me until we have reports from tn
troops. I shall not sleep until know
: what those fires meant. Forget Baldo
! for an hour or two for my sake"
"You dear old princess; I'm an awfu
brute. sure 'nough. I'll forget him fol