Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-02-26

'NDS ~ y
stranger witIl insulting questions e0c
calm answer nak..ig him more furiou
than before st last. in sheer impo
tence, he reIapseI into silence, waving
, his hand to Lorry to indicate that h
might resume.
"You will understand, Baldos, tina
we have some cause for apprehension,
said Lorry, immensely gratified by tht
outcome of the tilt. You are stran
ger, and, whether you admit it or not
there is reason to believe that you are
not what you represent yourself tC
be-"
Il am humble guard at present, sir,
and loyal one. My life is yours
should prove otherwise"
Yetive whispered something in Lor-
ry's ear at this juncture. She was Wis
IDLY pleased and excited. He looked
doubtful for an instant and then ap-
parently followed her suggestion, re-
gardless Of consequences.
would you be willing to utilize your
knowledge as an engineer by suggest
ing means to strengthen the fortress"
The others stared In fresh amazement.
Marlanx went as white as death.
"Never! he blurted out hoarsely.
II will do anything the princess COM
mands me to do" said Baldos easily.
"You mean that you serve her onlyp
II serve her first, sir. II she were here
she could command me to die, and
there would be an end to Baldos." And
he smiled as he said 1t. The real prin-
cess looked at him with a new, eager
expression, as if something had just
become clear to her. There was a
chorus of coughs and a round of sly
looks.
"She could hardly ask you to die"
said Yetlve, addressing him for the
first time.
"a princess is like April weather,
madam" saiu Baldos, with rare hui
NOR, and the laugh was general Ye-
tive resolved to talk privately with this
excellent wit before the hour was over.
She was confident that he knew her to
be the princess.
II would like to ask the fellow an
other question:" said Marlanx, finger
ing his sword hilt nervously. "You say
you serve the princess. Do you mean
by that that you imagine your duties
as soldier to comprise dancing polite
attendance within the security of
these wallsY'
Il believe l enlisted as a member of
the castle guard, sir. The duty of the
guard Is to protect the person of the
ruler of Graustark and to do that to
the DEATH"
1T is my belief that you are a spy
You can show evidence of good faith |
by enlisting to fight against Dawsber-
gen and by shooting to KILL" said the
count, with sinister CLEAN in his
eye.
And if | decline to serve in any
Sther capacity than the one now
"Then shall brand you as spy and
a coward"
You have already called me a spy,
your excellency. 1t will not make it
true, let me add. if you call me cow
ard. refuse to take up arms against
either Dawsbergen or Axphain."
The remark created profound SEN
satiOn.
"Then you are employed by both in
stead of one" shouted the Iron Count
gleefuly
Il am employed as a guard for her
royal highness," said Baldos, with a
square glance at Yetive, "and not as a
fighter In the ranks. will fight till
death for her, but not for Graustark.
CHAPTER XVI.
NY Jove, lie that fellows
Xxi coolness,' said Lorry to Har-
ry Anguish, after the meet.
- ing. He's after my own
heart. Why, he treats us as though we
were the suppliants, he the almsgiver.
He is playing game, I'll admit but
he does 1t with an assurance that de-
lights me-"
'Ha ia ripht ohO,,f 4l,oA 1a..1 =,