Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-05-14

| YOU. a AAANN' 49,
very much for him. You don't thinl
II sounds silly for me to say such
thing, do you? I've thought great dea
of him ever since the night at the I'M
OF the Hawk and Raven. In my i'm
agination | have tried to strip you o.
your princely robes to place them upoI
him, but he Is only BaldOs in spite Of
II all. He knows that | care for him
and know that he cares for me. Per
haps he has told you"
"Yes. he has confessed that he loves
you. Miss Calhoun. and he laments the
fact that his love seems hopeless. Paul
wonders In his heart ii it would be
right in him to ask you to give up all
you have Of wealth and pleasure to
share a humble lot with him."
II love him. Isn't that enough
There Is no wealth so great as that.
But" and she pursed her mouth In
pathetic despair, don't you think that
you can make a noble or something Of
him and give him a station in life
worthy Of his ambitions? He has done
so much for you. you know"
II have nothing that can give to him,
he says. Paul Baldos asks only that
he may be my champion until these ne
gotiatiOns are ended. Then he desires
to be free to serve whom he will. All
that | can do Is to let him have his
way. He is free lance. and he asks
no fayOrs, no help"
"WelI, | think he's perfectly ridicu
lOus about 1t, don't you? And yet that
is the very thing | like In him. l am
only wondering how wei mean, how
he Is going to live, that's ALL"
IF | am correctly informed he still
has several months to serve in the
service for which he enlisted. You
alone, l believe, have the power to dis
charge him before his term expires"
said he meaningly.
That night BaldOs returned to Edel
weiss, ahead of the Graustark delega
ton which was coming the next day
with representatives from Dawsber-
gen. He brought the most glorious
news from the frontier. The Duke o
Matz and the leading dignitaries had
heard of Gabriel's capture, both through
the Bappo boys and through few Of
his henchmen who had staggered into
camp after the disaster The news
threw the Dawsbergen diplomats into
a deplOrabie state Of III ertain;y. Ever
the men high In authority. while not
especially depressed Orer the fall OF
their sovereign. were in doubt as to
what would be the next move In their
cries of ira -edies. Almost to man
Jhey regretted the folly which had
rawn them into thu net with Gabriel.
6aldos reported that the Duke of Matz
md dozen of the most distinguished
men in Dawsbergen were on their way
10 Edelweiss to complete arrangements
for peace and to lay their renunciation
of Gabriel before nantan in neutral
court.
The people of Dawsbergen had been
clamoring long for Dantan's restora-
ton, and BaldOs was commissioned to
say that his return would be the signal
for great rejoicing. He was closeted
until after midnight with Dantan and
his sister, Lorry and Princess Yetlvs
being called in at the end to hear and
approve of the manifesto prepared by
the Prince Of Dawsbergen. The next
morning the word went forth that a
great banquet was to be given in the
castle that night for Prince Dantan
and the approaching noblemen. The
prince expected to depart almost i'm
mediately thereafter to resume the
throne In Serros.
BaldOs was wandering through the
park early in the morning. His duties
rested lightly upon his shoulders, but
he was restless and dissatisfied. The
longing In his heart urged him to turn
bis eyes ever and anon toward the bal
eOny and then to the obstinate looking
castle doors. The uniform Of a Grau-
stark guard still graced his splendid
figure. At last a graceful form was
seen coming from the castle toward
the cedars. She walked bravely, but
aimlessly. That was plain to be seen.
1t was evident that she was and was
not looking for some one. Baldos OBJ
served with a thrill Of delight that a
certain red feather stood up defantly
from the band Of her sailor hat. He
liked the way her dark blue walking
skirt swished in harmony with her
1.-THE, firm strides.
She was quite near before he advanc-
ed from his place among the trees. He
did not expect her to exhibit surprise
or confusion, and he was not disap.
pointed. She was as cool as a brisk
spring morning. He did not offer his
hand. but, with a fine smile of con.
tentment, bowed low and with mock
servillty.
Il report for duty, your highness,"
he said. She caught the ring Of glad
ness In his voice.
Then l command you to shake hands
with me" she said brightly. "You have
been away, believer with a delicious
infection.
Yes, for a century or more, I'm
sure" Constraint fell upon them sud
denly. The hour had come for a def
mite understanding, and both were con-
quered by its Importance. For the first
time in his life he knew the meaning
Of dihhdence. 1t came over him as he
looked helplessly into the clear, gray,
earnest eyes. II love you for wearing
that red feather" he said simply.
And ] loved you for wearing It."
she answered. her voice soft and thrill
ing. He caught his breath joyously.
Beverly" as he bent over her, '.you
are my very life, N.Y.
Don't Panl!" she whispered, draw
ing away, with an embarrassed glance
abOut the nark Tvharo x.-a,c ,,o,,,1o -