The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-03-06

HWWH way the Iron Count was busy
with the Vaccinations which
were calculated to result in startling
upheayal with the. break Of new day.
He prepared and swore to the charges
preferred against Baldos. They were
Slispatched 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
ture he charged her with completely IN
ahe betrayal of Graustark, Influenced
hy the desires Of the lover who mas
uueradeG as her protege. At some
length he dwelt upon the well laid plot
of the spy and his aeeomplice. he told
OF their secret meetings, their ourages
against The dignity Of the court ana
syaer uninistakable animosity toward
Graustark. For each and every count
& I'M his vicious Indictment against the
girl he professed to have absolute
prrof by means Of more than one
xeputa Bile 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 fer the eyes Of Beverly
Calhoun alone. BY means Of the vile
accBations, false though they were, he
hoped to terrorize her into submission.
Re Ionged to possess this 1.-THE, beaud-
fuI 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
amy 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 be
1enged for honor and fame.
Restless and enraged, consumed by
Jealousy and fear, he hung about the
,castla grounds long after he had drawn
sssae diabolcal charges. He knew that
BaIdos was inside the castle, favored,
while he, noble Of the realm, was rele-
gated to 1gnominy and the promise oe
degradation. Encamped outside the
CITY walls the army lay without g
seader. Each hou1 saw the numbers
augmented by the arrival OF reserves
from the districts OF the princspaNty.
His place was out there with the staff.
pet ne could not drag himself away
sccm TIE charmed circle IN which his
prey was sleeping. Morose and grin
be anlliously paced to and fro ID an
Dbscure corner Of the grounds.
What keeps the scoU1drel?' he sid
20 himself angrily.
Presently a villainous looking man.
dressed In the uniform Of the guac6s,
Stealfhily approached. 81 missed hira.
general, but I will get him the next
time" gsowied the man.
Curse you for a fooi.' Kissed Mar
lanx through his teeth. AS anothe--
s,ireIing came up, what have you goe
90 say?"
The man reported that Baldos hatd.
been seen on the balcony alone, evi-
dently on watch.
Marlanx ground his teeth and his
blood stormed his reason 'The job
must be done tonight You have your
Instructions. Capture him if possible;
bEf, If necessary, kill him. You know
your fate if you fail" Marlanx actual
IL grinned at the thought Of the punish
ment he would mete out to them.
Now be OFF,
Rashly he made his way 30 the castle
front a bright moon cast its mellow
glow over tie mass Of stone outlined
against the western sky. For an hour
DE glowered in the shade of the trees,
giving but slight heed to the guards
who passed from tine to time. His
eyes never left the enchanted balcony.
At last he saw the man. Baldos
came from the door at the end Of the
balcony, paced the full length in the
moonlight, paused for moment near
Beverly Calhoun's window and then
disappeared through the same door
saat had afforded him egress.
Inside the dark castle the clock at
0e end of the hall melodiously doomed
the hour Of 2. Dead quiet followed
zAe soft echoes of the gong. A tall
figure stealthily opened the door to
Tetve's chapel and stepped inside.
There was streak Of moonlight
through the clear window at the far
end Of the room. Baldos, his heart
oeafing rapidly, stood still for mo-
nent, awaiting the next move in the
game. The ghostlike figure Of a wom-
an suddenly stood before him in tie
path Of the moonbeam, hooded fg-
me in dark robes. He started rs if
confronted by the supernatural.
Come" came in an agitated whis-
per, and he stepped to the side Of the
phantom. She turned, and the mooa-
sight fell upon the face Of Beverly Cal
houn. Don't speak. Follow me as
quickly as you can"
He grasped her arm, bringing her TO
g standstiil.
seI have changed my mind" he whis-
pered in her ear. '.Do you think I will
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