Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-02-01


he We're patrolling the castle grounds in
the rain In all that lonely darkness
oeized by sudden inspiration she
'nrew a gossamer about her, grasped
an umbrella and ventured out upon the
oalcony once more. Guilty. she search
ed the night through the fine. drizzling
ram. Her ears listened eagerly for
the tread which was so well known to
her.
At last he strobe beneath a lamp not
TAR away. He looked up, but of course
could not see her against the dark wall.
For long time he stood motionless be-
meath the light. She could not help see
ing that he was detected. tired, unhap.
py. His shoulders dropped, and there
was general air of listlessness about
the figure which had once been so full
OF courage and of hope. The post light
fell directly upon his face. It was
somber, despondent, strained. He wore
the air Of a prisoner. Her heart went
out to him like flash. The debonair
knight of the black patch was no more.
In his place there stood a sullen slave
to discipline.
"Baldos!" she called softly. her voice
penetrating the dripping air with the
cicalneSs OF Il bell. He must have been
.'ngug for the sound of it, for he start
Il 'nd looked eagerly in her direction.
! form Strengthened as he passed
is htal Ofer his brow. 1t was but a
,cc from his dream. he thought.
Aren't you afraid you'll get wetT" ask
i tie same low. sweet voice, with the
suggestion Of Laugh behind 1t. With
long strides he crossed the pavement
and stood almost directly beneath her.
Your highness" he exclaimed gen
tly, joyously. what are you doing ou,
there?"
wondering Baldos. Wondering
what you were thinking of as you
stood under the lamp over there"
Il was thinking Of your highness," he
called up softly.
mo, no" she protested,
81, too, was wondering-wonderins
what you were dreaming Of as you
slept, for you should be asleep at this
hour, your highness, instead Of stand.
ing out there in the rain"
"Baldos," she called down tremulous
ly, "you don't like this work, do your
1T has nothing but darkness In 1t for
me. | never see the light of your eyes,
l never feel the
Ssh! You must not talk like that.
It's not proper, and besides some one
may be lIsteplng The night has a
thousand ears-or is it eyes? But lis
ten. Tomorrow you shall be restored to
your old duties. You surely cannot be-
lleve that / had anything to do with
the order which compels you to work
at this unholy hour"
81 was afraid you were Furnishing me
for my boldness. My heart has been
sore-you never can know how sore.
was disgraced. dismissed forgotten
mo, no; you were not! You must not
say that Go away now, BaldOs. You
will ride with me tomorrow" she cried
nervously. please go to some place
where you won't get dripping Wet
You forget that | am on guard he
said, with laugh. But you are wise
counselor Is the rain so pleasant to
youY"
81 have an umbrella" she protested
what are you doing" she cried in
alarm. He was coming hand over hand
up the treliis work that incosed the
lower veranda.
Il am coming to a place where !
won't get dripping wet" he called
softly. There was dangerous ring in
his voice. and she drew back in Il
panic
you must not" she cried desperate
". "ThiS is madness! Go down, sir!
Il am happy enough to fly, but can
not So | do the next best thing-l
climb to you" Ills arm was across the
stone railing ly this time, and he was
painting from the eXertion. not two
feet from where she crouched. Just
one minute of heaven before 20 back
TO the shadows of earth. am happy
again. MarlanX told me you had dis
missed me. | wonder what he holds in
reserve for me. knew he lied, but II
Is not until now that | rejoice. Come,
you are TO shield me from the rain"
"Oh, OH" she gasped, overwhelmed
4. i. II. a
If any one saw you here" Yet she
spasmodically extended the umbrella
so that II covered him and left her out
in the drlzzle.
"And so should l." responded hi
softly. Listen to me. For hours ant
hours have been longing for the deal
old hills in which you found me.
wanted to crawl out of Edelwelss anC
lose myself forever In the rocks anC
crags. Tonight when you saw me
was trying to say goodby TO you for
ever. | was trying to make up IN!
mind TO desert. | could not endure th'
new order of things. You had cas-
me off. My friends out there wer'
eager to have me with them. ID th'
city every one Is ready to call me I
spy-even you, l thought Life wa
black and drear. Now, my princess, |
Is as bright as heaven itself"
"You must not talk like this" sh'