Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-02-22

/ eOh. isn't il lucky you kept itE' sh'
cr,e5 Then she turned her eyes away
quickly. for his gaze seemed greedils
endeayoring to pierce through the laes
insertion covering her neck and shoui
ders. outside the window the steaus
tramn of the tall guard went on mo
notonously. - :
"The recompense Of sweet smile, :
tander blush and the unguardeu
l thanks of a pretty woman. The can
sIastick Is yours, Miss Calhoun-if you
will repay me for my sacrifice by ac'
cepting 1t without reservation"
Slowly Beverly Calhoun set the cam
dlestick down upon the table her eyes
meeting his with steady disdain.
"What rare old Jester you are
Count Marlanx," she said without a
smile If thought you were In ear
nest | should scream with laughter'
Nav [ suggest that we Join the count
ess3 we must hurry along, you know
She and have promised to play tennis
with the princess at 8 O'Clock" Ihe
counts glare of disappointment lasted
hit moment. The diplomacy of ego
tism came to his relief. and he held
bock the gift for another day, but not
fos pnother woman
III grieves me to have you hurry
AWAY. My afternoon is to be duli
one unless you permit me to watcn lne
tennis game" he said.
81 thought you We're interested ohly
in the game of war;" she said point
edly.
~ stand in greater awe of a tennis
hsu than do of a cannon ball, If 1t IS
sent by such an arm as yours, ana
he not only laid his eyes, but his hand,
upon her bare arm. She started as II
something had stung her, and colu
sbiver raced over her warm flesh. his
ewes for the moment held her spell
bound. He was drawing the hand 10
his lips when shadow darkened the
French window, and saber ratified
warningly.
Count Marlanx looked up instantly
a scowl on his face Baldos stood at
the window in an attitude of ale at
tention. Beverly drew her arm LAY
spasmodicaIly and took step toward
the window. The guard saw by her
ewes that she was frightened; but, II
his heart beat violently, his face was
the picture of military stoniness.
"What are you doing thereY snarled
the count.
"Dld your highness call?' asked Bal
dos coolly.
"She did not call, fellow" said the
count, with deadly menace in his voice.
"Report to me in half an hour. You
still have something to learn, l see."
Beverly was alarmed by the threat In
his tones. She saw what was in store
for Baldos, for she knew quite as well
as Marlanx that the guard had delib-
erately intervened in her behalf.
"He cannot come in half an hour|
she cried quickly. 81 have something
for him to do, Count MarlanX. Besides,
think did call" Both men stared
at her.
"NIy ears are excellent" said Mar
lanx stitfiy.
81 fancy Baldos' must be even better,
for he heard me-" said Beverly, herself
once more. The shadow of smile
crossed the face of the guard.
'He is impertinent, insolent, your
highness. You will report to me tomor-
row, sir, at 0 O'Clock in Colonel Quin-
nox's quarters. Now, go~ commanded
the count.
"Wait a minute, Baldos. We are go
ing out too. VIII you open that win
dow for me?" Baldos gladly took it as
a command and threw open the long
French window. She gave him CRATE
full glance as she stepped through, and
he could scarcely conceal the gleam of
joy that shot into his own eyes. The
dark scowl on the counts face made
absolutely no impression upon him. He
closed the window and followed ten
PAGES behind the couple
"Your guard is a priceless treasure"
said the count grmly.
"Thats what you said about the can
dlestick," said she sweetly.
She was disturbed by his threat to
reprimand Baldos. For some time her
mind had been struggling with what
the count had said about "the lesson -
1t grew upon her that her friend had
been bullied and humiliated, perhaps
in the presence of spectators. Resent
ment fired her curiosity into action.
While the general was explaining one
of the new gun carriages to the count.
ess Beverly walked deliberately over to
where BaldOs was standing Haddan's
knowledge of English was exceedingly
limited, and he could understand but
little Of the rapid conversation. Stand.
ing squarely in front of Baldos, she
| questioned him in low tones.
"What did he mean when he said he
had given you lesson? she demand,
I'd. His eyes cleaned merrily.
He meant to alarm your highness."
Didn't he give you talking to?
HE coached me in ethics"
You are evading the question, sir
| Was no maan oOd noeEr - x-o,,o m ~