Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-04-09

"You must 60 away from n;e. I'll
command you to-
'Is it because you want to drive mt
out Of your life forever?" he demand
ed, sudden understanding coming t.
him.
Don't put it that way" she mur
INJURED.
rs it because you care for me that
you want me TO go?" he insisted, draw
ing near. rs it because you fear the
love bear for your
''Lovel You don't really Stop!
Remember where you are, sir! You
must not go on with 1t, BaldOs Don't
come step nearer. Do go tonight!
1t Is for the best. have been awfully
wicked In letting 1t run on as it has
Forgive me- please forgive me-" she
pleaded. He drew back, pale and hurt
A great dignity settled upon his face.
His dark eyes crushed her with their
quiet scorn.
Il understand, Miss Calhoun. The
play is over. You will find the luckless
vagabond a gentleman, after all. You
ask me to desert the cause l serve.
That Is enough. l shall go tonight"
The girl was near to surrender. Had
1t not been for the persistent fear that
her proud old father might suffer from
her willfulness, she would have thrown
down the barrier and risked everything
In the choice Her heart was crying
out hungrily for the love Of this tall,
mysterious soldier Of fortune.
'It Is best" she murmured finally.
Later on she was to know the meaning
OF the peculiar smile he gave her.
II go because you dismiss me, not
because l fear an enemy. If you
choose to remember me at all, be just
enough to believe that / am not a
shameless coward"
"You are brave and true and good,
and am a miserable, deceitful wretch"
she lamented. You will seek Ravone |
and the othersT
"Yes; they are my friends. They
love my poverty. And now, may it |
please your highness, when am to go |
forth, and In what garb? | should no
longer wear the honest uniform Of
Graustark guard"
leave 1t to me. Everything shall be
arranged. You will be discreet? No
one is to know that l am your
"Rest assured, Miss Calhoun. have
a close mouth" And he smiled con-
temptuously.
Il agree with you" said she regret
fully. you know how to hold your
tongue" He laughed harshly For
once In way will you answer a ques-
tionP
II will not promise"
"YOu say that you are Dantan's
friend. Is it true that he is to marry
the daughter Of the Duke of AIatz,
Countess IolandaT'
ut has been so reported"
SIS she beautiful"
Yes; exceedingly"
"But is he to marry herr" she insist
ed, she knew not why.
"HOw should l know, your high
nessY
IF you call me your highness' again
I'll despise your she flared mserably.
Another question: Is 1t true that the
young Duke Christobal fed because his
father objected to his marriage with
game warden's daughterp
Il have never heard So" with a touch
of hauteur
docs he know that the girl is deadY
she asked cruelty. Baldos did not an
sWer for long time. He stared at her
steadily, his eyes expressing no emo
tion from which she could Judge him.
Il think he is ignorant of that ca
lamity, Miss Calhoun" he said. "With
your permission l shall withdraw.
There is nothing to be gained by de-
lay" 1t was such palpable affront
that she shrank within herself and
could have cried
Without answering, she walked un
steadily to the window and looked out |
into the night A mist came into her
eyes. For many minutes she remained |
there striving to regain control of her
emotions. All this time she knew that
he was standing just where she had
left him. like a statue. awaiting her
command. At last she faced him reso-
lutely
"You will receive instructions as to
your duties here from the guard at
The stairs. When you hear the han
clock strike the hour Of In the morn
Ing go into the chapel. but do not let
any one see you or suspect You know
where 1t Is. The door will be un-
locked"
"Am / not to see you again?" he ask
ed, and she did not think him properly
depressed.
"Yes," she answered after a pause
that seemed like an eternity, and he
went quietly, silently away.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Inn lHTLE Baldos was Standing
IM guard In the long, lofty hall
H way the Iron Count was busy
with the Vaccinations which
were calculated to result In startling
upheayal with the break Of a 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 vllest accusations
against Beverly Calhoun. In his own
and over his own sigma
ture he charged her with completely IN I
the betrayal OF Graustark, Influenced
by the desires Of the lover who mas [
Queraded as her prOtege. At some |
length be dwelt upon the well laid plot /
Of the spy and his aecOmplice. he told '
Of their secret meetings, their Outrages '
against the dignity OF the court and
heir unmlstakable animoslty toward