Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-07-10
Beverly of
'Grdustdrk
CHAPTER XIV.
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CHAPTER XIV.
Tl1HILE Baldos was standing
MI guard in the long, lofty hall
way the Iron Count was busy
W. with the Vaccinations which
we're calculated to result in startling
upheaval with the break Of new day.
He prepared and swore to the charges
preferred against Baldos. They were
dispatched to the princess for her
perusal in the morning. Then he set
about preparing the vilest accusations
against Beverly Calhoun. In his own
handwriting and over his own sigma
lure he charged her with completely in
the betrayal Of Graustark, influenced
by the desires of the lover who mas
uueraded as her protege. At some
ength he dwelt upon the we'll laid plot
sf the spy and his accomplice. He told
Of their secret meetings, their outrages
against the dignity Of the court and
their unmistakable animosity toward
Graustark. For each and every count
In his vicious indictment against the
girl he professed to have absolute
proof by means Of more than one
reputable witness.
1t was not the design Of Marlanx to
present this document to the princess
and her cabinet. He knew full well
that it would meet the fate it deserved.
1t was intended for the eyes Of Beverly
Calhoun alone. By means Of the vile
accusations, false though they We're, he
hoped to terrorize her into submission.
he longed to possess this 1.-THE, beauti-
full creature from over the sea- In all
his life he had not hungered for any
thing as he now craved Beverly Cal
houn. He saw that his position in the
army was rendered insecure by the
events Of the last day. A bold, vicious
stroke was his only means for securing
the prize he longed for more than he
longed for honor and fame.
Restless and enraged, consumed by
Jealousy and fear, he hung about the
castle grounds long after he had drawn
the diabolical charges. He knew that
Baldos was inside the castle, favored,
while he, a noble of the realm, was rele.
gated to ignominy and the promise Of
degradation. Encamped outside the
city walls the army lay without o
leader. Each hour saw the numbers
augmented by the arrival of reserves
from the districts Of the principality
His place was out there with the staff
yet he could not drag himself away
from the charmed circle in which his
prey was sleeping. Morose and grim
he anxiously paced to and fro in an
obscure corner Of the grounds.
What keeps the scoundrelT' he said
to himself angrily.
4 Presently villainous looking man
dressed in the uniform Of the guards
stealthily approached. II missed him
general. but will get him the mex,
time" growled the man.
Course you for fooly' Missed Mar
lanx through his teeth. AS another
hireling came up, what have you 60
to sayF'
The man reported that Baldos hat
been seen on the balcony alone, evi
IDENTIFY on watch.
Marlanx ground his teeth and hil
blood stormed his reason. 1.-THE jol
must be done tonight. You have you
instructions. Capture him If possible
but, If necessary, kill him. You know
your fate If you fall" Marlanx actual
~ grinned at the thought Of the punish
ment he would mete out to them
Nov be OF"
Rashly he made his way to the castl
front. A bright moon cast its mellow
glow over the mass Of stone outlined
against the western sky. For an hou
he glowered In the shade of the trees
giving but slight heed to the guard
who passed from time to time. Hi
eyes never left the enchanted balcony
At last he saw the man. Baldo
came from the door at the end Of tn
balcony, paced the full length in tn
moonlight, paused for moment nea
Beverly Calhoun's window and the
disappeared through the same doc
that had afforded him egress.
Inside the dark castle the clock a
the end Of the hall melodiously boone
the hour Of g. Dead quiet followe
the soft echoes Of the gong. A tai
figure stealthily opened the door t
Yetive's chapel and stepped inside
There was a streak Of moonligh
through the clear window at the IA
end Of the room. Baldos, his hear
beating rapidly, stood still for me
ment, awaiting the next move in th
game. The ghostlike figure Of won
an suddenly stood before him in th
path of the moonbeam, a hooded ft
ure in dark robes. He started as
confronted by the supernatural.
"Come," came in an agitated whit
per, and he stepped to the side Of tn
phantom. She turned, and the moor
light fell upon the face of Beverly Ca
houn. "Don't speak. Follow me q
quickly as you can"
He grasped her arm, bringing her
standstill.
II have changed my mind" he whit
pered in her ear. "Do you think wi
run away and leave you to shoulde
the blame for all this? On the balloon
near your window an hour ago r.
ut doesn't make any difference" 81
argued. "You have to go. want 70
to 60. If you knew just how I feel t
ward you you would so without
murmur.''
"You mean that you hate me-" /
grOaned,