The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-01-16
UHAPTER XIV.
:s::::.:s::ssxssa:::;s;s:;s:::: ::

cHAPTER XIV.
G@HAT same afternoon Baldos
blissfnlly ignorant Of the stz
IN be had created in certain cir
q cIes, rode out for the first lime
aa q member Of the castle guard. he
and Haddan were detailed by Colonel
Ousnnox to act as private escort te
Miss Calhoun until otherwise ordered
Yf Haddan thought himself wiser than
BaIdos in knowing that their charge
was not the princess he was very mucn
mistaken. If he enjoyed the trick that
was being played on his fellow guafds.
snan his enjoyment was as nothins
when compared to the pleasure Baioos
was deriving from the situation
The royal victoria was driven to me
fortress, conveying the supposed prin-
cess and the Countess Dagmar to the
home of Count Marlanx. The two
suards rode bravely behind the equl-
oaye. resplendent in brilliant new uni
forms. Baldos was mildly surprised
and puzzled by the homage paid the
young American girl. 1t struck him as
nreposterous that the entire population
OF Edelweiss could be In the game to
deceive him.
s1Who is the princess companion
he Incurred Of Haddan as Ehey left the
castle grounds.
The Countess Dagmar, cousin co her
hishnsss. She is the wife OF Mr. An
guish~
& have seen her before" said Baldos.
e strange smile on his face.
The Countess Dagmar found it diff
cuIt at first to meet the eye Of the new
guard, but he was so punctihously
oblivious that her courage was restored.
She even went so far as to whisper in
Beveriy's ear that he did not remember
her face and probably would not rec
ognize Yetive as one Of the earesdrop-
pers. The princess had fatty refused
TO accompany them on the visit TO the
fortress because Of Baldos. Struck by
a sudden impulse, Beverly called Bal
dos to the side Of the vehicle.
1BaIdos. you behaved very nicely yes
terday il exposing the dupmcity Of
those young women" she said.
81 am happy to have pleased your
highness,n be said steadily.
aSs.It My interest you to know that
aheg ceased to be ladies' in waiting aft
sr fhss exposure
..syes, your highness, it certainly is In
ferssdrgg," he said as he fell back into
position beside Haddan During the
remainder OF the ride he caught him.
self time after time gazing rafectvely
at the back Of her proud little head,
possessed Of an almost uncomfortable
desire TO touch the soft brown hair.
5 s. You can't fool that excellent young
man much longer, my dear" said the
countess, recalling the look In his dark
eyes. The same thought had been af-
Alcting Beverly with its probabilities
for twenty-four hours and more.
Gent Marlanx welcomed his visitors
with graciousness that awoke Won
der in the minds Of his staff. His
marked preference for the American
gssl did not escape attention Some OF
Gae bolder young officers INDUCED in
grimaces, and all looked
with more or less compassion upon the
happy faced beauty from over the sea.
Marlanx surveyed Baldos steadily and
ccldly, deep disapproyal in his sinister
eyes. He had not forgotten the en-
counter Of the day before.
81 see the favorite is on guard" he
said blandly. .Has he told you Of the
lesson in manners he enjoyed last
night? He was leading his guests to-
ward the quarters, Baldos and Haddan
following. The new guard could not
help hearing the sarcastic remark.
HYou didn't have him beaten" cried
Beverly, stopping short
4No, but imagine it would have
been preferable. / talked with him for
half an hour" said the general. laugh
ing significantly.
When the party stopped at the drink
ing fountain in the center OF the fort
Baldos halted near by. His face was
as impassiye as marble, his eyes set
straight before him. his figure erect
and soleferly. An occas.-aal sarcas-
tie remark by the Iron Count, meant
for his ears, made no impression upon
the deadly composure Of the new guard
who had had his lesson Miss Cal
houn was conscious Of vague feeling
that she had served Baldos an Ill turn
when she put him into this position
The count provided light luncheon
In his quarters after the ladies mao
gone over the fortress. Beverly Cal
hcun, with all Of a woman's inolner.
ence to things material, could not ou'
see how poorly equipped the fort was
as compared to the ones she had seer
In the United States. She and he
countess visited the armory, the ar
senal aad the repair shops before
luncheon. reserving the pleasures o.
the clubhouse. the officers quarters
and the parade ground until afterwara
N