The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-06

You are willing to play the game to
the end?" she demanded, more graft
fed than she should have been.
"Assuredly. yes. 1t is the only safe
guard I have. To alter my belief puo-
licly would expose me toto
ITO what, Baldos?'
.To ridicule, for one thing, and to the
generous mercies Of Count Marlanx.
Besides, it would deprive me Of the
privilege / mentioned moment ago
the right to kiss your hand, to be your
slave and to do homage to the only
sovereign l can recognize. Surely, you
will not subject me to exile from the
only joys that life holds for me. You
have sought to deceive me, and have
tried to deceive you. Each has found
the other out, so we are quits. May we
not now combine forces in the very
laudable effort to deceive the world:
II the world doesn't know that we
know, why, the comedy may be long
drawn out and the climax be made the
more amusing"
"Pm afraid there was touch Of
your old time sarcasm in that remark"
she said. eyes, l am willing to con-
tinue the comedy. 1t seems the safest
way to protect you-especially from
General Marlanx. No one must ever
know, Baldos; it would be absolutely
pitifuI. I am glad, oh, so glad, that
you have known all the time. 1t re-
lieves my mind and my conscience ire
mendously.''
EYES," he said gently. 81 have known
all along that you were not Mr.. Lorry's
wife" he had OWNED her thought,
and she flushed hotly. You are still
princess, however. a poor goat hunter
can only look upon the rich American
girl as a sovereign whom he must wor-
ship from far below"
"Oh, I'm not so rich as all thatw she
cried. Besides, I think it is time for
a general clearing up Of mysteries.
Are you Prince Dantan. Prince Fred
eric or that other -Christobal some
body? Come. be fair with me-
.It seems that all Edelweiss looks
upon me as prince in disguise. You
found me in the hills
''No; you found me. have not for
gotten, SIR
''I was a vagabond and fugitive.
Ny friends are hunted as I am. We
have no home. WIZ every one should
suspect NE Of bcin. 4 prince cannot
understand. Every roamer in the hills
Is not a prince. There is price upon
my head. and there is reward for the
capture of every man who was with
me In the pass. My name is Paul Bal
dos, Miss Calhoun. There Is no mys-
tery in that. IF you were to mention
it in a certain city, you would quickly
find that the name Of Baldos is not
unknown to the people wko are search
ing for him. No, your highness; re-
gret exceedingly that l must destroy
the absurd impression that I am Of
royal blood. Perhaps am spelling a
pretty romance but it cannot be help
ai. was B&ldos De goar hGnter:: !
an now Basdos The guard. 80 yol
think that would be serving as g
G7austarS guard # 1 were any enc Of
the men you mention 2"
Beverly listened III wonder AID soGe
disappointment, it must be confessed
Somehow a spark Of hope was being
forever extinguished by this straight
forward denial. He was not to be the
prince she had seen in dreams. ''You
are not like any one else," she said.
THAT is why we thought Of you as
as-as'-
"As one Of those unhappy creatures
they call princes? Thank fortune, your
highness, I am not yet reduced to such
straits. Ny exile VII, come only when
you send me away"
c1ey were silent cor a long time.
Neither was thinking Of the hour or
the fact that her absence In the castle
could not be unnoticed. Night had
fallen heavily upon the earth. The
two faithful chair bearers, respectful,
but with wonder ID their SOULS, $1,000
afar OF and waited. Baldos and Bev-
erly were alone in their own little
world.
81 think I liked you better when you
wore the red feather and that horrid
patch of black" she said musingly.
"And was a free hearted yagabond,"
he added. something imploring in his
voice.
IAN Independent courtier, if you
please, SIR" she said severely.
"Do you want me to go back to the
hills? have the patch and the feather.
and my friends are
''No. Don't suggest such a thing
yet" She began the. protest eagerly
anG ended it in confusion.
ALAS. you mean that some day ban
ishment is not unlikely"
You don't expect to be a guard ali
your life, do you?"
''Not to serve the Princess Of Grau-
stark, confess. My aim Is much high
er. If God lets ne choose the crown
would serve would enlist for life. The