Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-04-16


c0uraged by the change in the situi
tion, pressed him sorely.
Don't you dare to touch me. Coun
Marlanx. | know you!" she hlssed
know what you would do with me.
is not for Graustark that you seek hi
life"
The sword came nearer. The word
died in her throat She grew faint
Terror paralyzed her Suddenly he
heart gave a great thump of joy Th
resOurcefulness of the trapped wa
surging to her relief The valor o
the south leaped into life. The ex
hilaratiOn Of conflict beat down all he
fears. take away that sword, then
pleasew she cried, her voice trembling
but not with terror now. 1t was ex
ultatiOn. "Will you promise to spare
his life? VIII you swear to let hin
go. If p
"No. no; never! God forbid" i'm
plored BaldOs.
'Ha, ha" chuckled the man In the
cloak. Spare his life! Oh, yes, after
my master has reveled In your charms
How do you like that, my handsome
goat hunter?"
"YOu Internal scoundrel! I'll settle
you yetv' Baldos fairly fumed with
rage. Gathering himself together for
final effort, he rushed madly on his
rapidly weakening antagonist.
Gpo I3oc sho ortad bonalacoIy oOd On
a tone Of resignation, Il must do It!
1t is the only way!
The man in the cloak as well as Bal.
dos was deceived by the girls cry. He
Immediately lowered his sword. The
lantern dropped from Beverly's hands
and clattered to the floor. At the same
instant she drew from her pocket her
revolver, which she had placed there
before leaving the castle, and fired
point blank at him. The report sound.
ed like thunderclap in their ears. II
was followed quickly by sharp cry
and imprecation from the lips of heI
prosecutor. who fell, striking his head
with terrible force on the stones.
simultaneously there was grOan
and the noise of limp body slipping
to the ground, and Baldos. victor al
last, turned in fear and trembling tC
find Beverly standing unhurt staring
at the black mass at her feet.
THANK God, you are safer Grasping
her hand he led her out of the darkness
into the moonlight.
Not word was spoken as they ran
swiftly on until they reached little
clump of trees not far from one of the
gates. Here Baldos gently released her
hand. She was painting for breath, but
he realized she must not be allowed tC
risk moments delay. She must pass
the sentry at once
"Have you the watchwordT he
eagerly asked.
"Watchword?" she repeated feebly.
"Yes, the countersign for the night
1t is GanlOok. Keep your face well
covered with your hood. Advance
boldly to the gates and give the word
There will be no trouble. The guard Is
used to pleasure seekers returning al
all hours of night"
"Is he dead?" she asked timorously
returning to the scene Of horror.
only wounded, think. as are the
other men, though they all deserve
death"
He went with her as close to the gate
as he thought safe. Taking her hand
be kissed 1t fervently. "GOodby! II
won't be for long" and disappeared
She stood still and lifeless, staring
after him, for ages, 1t seemed. He was
gone. Gone forever. no doubt. Her
eyes grew wilder and wilder with the
pity of 1t all. Pride fed lncontinently.
She longed to call him back. Then II
occurred to her that he was hrrying
or to that other woman. No, he said
he would return. she must be brave,
true to herself. whatever happened.
She marched boldly up to the gate,
gave the cOuntersign and passed
through. not needing the curious
glances cast upon her by the sentry,
turned into the castle. up the grand
staircase and fed to the princess bed
chamber.
Beverly, trembling and sobbing.
threw herself In the arms of the prln-
cess. IncOherently she related all that
had happened. then swOoned.
After she had been restored, Ina
promise Of Yetive to protect her, what
ever happened, cOmforted her some
what.
ut must have been Marlanx," moan.
ed Beverly.
"Who else could it have beenY" re-
piled the princess. who was visibly ex-
cited.
SummOning all her courage. she went
on: First. we must find out if he Is
badly hurt. Wen trust to luck. Cheer
up" She touched a bell There came
a knock at the door. A guard was
told to enter. "Ellos." she exclaimed,
did you hear a shot Hired a short time
agOy"
Il thought l did. your highness. but
was not sure"
"BaldOs. the guard. was escaping by
the secret passage" continued the prin-
cess. a wonderful inspiration coming
to her rescue. He passed through the
chapel. Miss Calhoun was there. Alone
and single handed she tried to prevent
him. II was her duty. He refused to
obey her command 70 stop. aud she
followed him into the tunnel and fired
at him. I'm afraid you are too late
to capture him. but you may-Oh. Bev-
eriy. how plucky you were TO follow
him! Go quickly. Ellos. Search the
tunnel and report at once" AS the
guard salated with wonder. admiration
and unbelief be saw the two eOnspir-
ators locked in each Others anna.