The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-10-12

trusted guardsmen glided about like
specters or stood like statues. An hour
before the great edifice had been bright
and full Of animation. Now it slum-
bered.
1t was 2 o'clock. The breath OF roses
scented the air; the gurgle of fountains
was the only music that touched the
ear. Beverly Calhoun, Diminishing Aunt
Fanny, stepped from her window
out upon the great stone balcony. A
rich oriental dressing gown. loose and
comfortable. was her costume Some
thing told her that sleep would be a
long time coming, and an hour In the
warm. delightful atmosphere OF the
night was more attractive than the
close, sleepless silence Of her own room
| Every window along the balcony was
dark. proving that the entire household
had retired to rest.
She was troubled. The fear had en-
tered her head that the castle folk
were regretting the advent OF Baldos,
that every one was questioning the wis
dom of his being In the position he
occupied through her devices. Her talk
with him did much to upset her tran
quillity. That he knew so much of the
fortress bore out the subtle suspicious
Of Dangloss and perhaps others She
! was troubled, not that she doubted
him. but that II anything went wrong
an accusation against him, however
unjust, would be difficult to overcome.
And she would be TO blame in a large
degree.
For many minutes she sat in the
dark shadow of a great pillar. her ell
bows upon the cool balustrade, staring
dreamily into the star studded vault
above. Far away in the air she could
see the tiny yellow lights of the monas-
terry, lonely sentinel on the mountain
top. From the heights near that abode
of peace and penitence an enemy
could destroy the fortress to the south
Had not Baldos told her so? One big
gun would do the work If it could be
taken to that altitude. Baldos could
draw perfect map of the fortress.
He could tell precisely where the shells
should fall. And already the chief
men in Edelweiss were wondering who
he was and to what end he might utll-
ize his knowledge. They were watch
ing him; they were warning her
For the first tine since she came to
the castle she felt Il sense of loneliness,
a certain nnhappiness. She could not
shake off the feeling that she was.
after all, alone in her belief in Ba!dos.
Her heart told her that the tall.
straightforward fellow she had met in
She was deceiving him, she realized
but he was misleading no one. OF in
a distant part of the castle ground she
could see the long square shadow that
marked the location of the barracks
and mess room. There he was sleep
her power to save him from all harm.
Something in her soul cried out to him
that she would be stanch and true and
that he might sleep without a tremor
of apprehensiveness.
Suddenly she smiled nervously and
lar. 1t occurred to her that be might
be looking across the moonlit park.
looking directly at her through all that
shadowy distance She was conscious
Of strange glow in her cheeks and q
quickenIng OF the blood as she pulled /
the folds or her gown across her bare
throat
mot the moon, nor the stars. nor the
light In st. Valentines. but the black |
thing away OF there on the earth"
sale 4 soft voice behind her. and Bev- /
erly started as If the supernatural bad
appfoached Der, she Turned to fde< |
the princess. who stood almost at her
side.
"xetrye. How did You. set 6sesY - /
THAT is what you are looking at.
dear went en- Yetive as II completing
her charge 'why are you not In bedY'
And you? thought you were sound
asleep long ago" miirmured Beverly.
the guilty feeling that
came over her. The princess threw
her arm about Beverly's shoulder.
II have It IN watching you for half
an hour" she said gently. Cant two
look at the moon and stars as well as
Dne? Isn't 1t my grim old castle? Let
US sit here together. dear. and dream
awhile"
"You dear Yetive." and Beverly drew
her down beside her on the cushions.
Bat listen. want you to get some
thing out OF your head. ! was not
boxing at anything in particular"
Beverly. believe you were think
ng OF Baldos," said the other. her fin
-ers straying fondly across the Girr'
loft hair.
Ridiculous said Beverly. conscious
or the first time that he was seldom
tut of her thoughts. The realization
anne like flow. and her eyes grew
rery wide out there In the darkness.
And yeu are troubled on his ae
.ount know II, dear YOU
well. Yetive. why shouldn't be
brought him here against
lis will" protested Beverly. III any
hing should happen TO him she shud-
lsrsd iny0luntarily-