The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27

are to remain here, Sir, and take your
commands from me. I don't want you
to xii, him. They'd hang you, or some
thing lust as bad. He's going to be
punished, never fearr' Baldos smiled
in spite Of his dismay. It was impos-
stble to face this confident champion
in pet.icoats without catching her en-
thusiasm. .sWhat have you done with
with that rose?" she asked suddenly,
flushing and dif6dent. Her eyes glis-
tened with embarrassment
"It lies next my heart. I love 1t" he
said bravely.
"I think I'll command you to return
it to me-" vaguely.
"a command to be disobeyed. 1t is
in exchange for my feather" he smiled
confidently.
"WeIl, Of course, if you are going to
be mean about Now, let me see," she
said confusedly, "what are your duties
for tonight? You are to stand guard
in the corridor. Once in awhile you will
go out upon the balcony and take q
look. You see, I am afraid of some
one. Oh, Baldos, what's the use Of my
trifiing like this? You are to escape
from Edelweiss tonight. That is the
whole plan-the whole idea in a nut
shell. Don't look like that Don't you
want to go?" Now she was trembling
with excitement.
ST do not want to leave yeu," he
cried eagerly ''It would be cowardly.
Marlanx would understand that you
gave aid and sanction. You would be
left to face the charges he would make.
Don't you see, Beverly? You would be
implicated; you would be accused.
Why did you not let me kill him? No;
I will not gow Neither noticed the
name by which ne had called her.
"But l insistr she cried weakly.
.sYou must go away from me. IL
command you to-
'Is it because you want to drive me
out Of your life forever?' be demand
ed, sudden understanding coming to
him.
Don't put it that way" she mur-
INJURED.
'Is it because you care for me that
you want me to go?' he insisted, draw
ing near. els it because you fear the
love I bear for your"
"Love! You don't really Stop!
Remember where you are, sir! You
must not go on with 1t, Bados. Don't
come a step nearer. Do go tonight!
It is for the best. have been awiully
wicked In letting it run on as it has.
Forgive me; please forgive me-" she
pleaded. he drew back, pale and hurt
A great dignity settled upon his face.
His dark eyes crushed her with their
quiet seorn-
II understand, Miss Calhoun. The
play is over. You will find the luckless
vagabond a gentleman, after all. You
ask me to desert the cause serve.
That is enough. shall go tonight"
The girl was near to surrender. Had
| it not been for the persistent fe&s that
her proud old father might suffer from
her wilfulness, she would have thrown
down the barrier end risked everything
in the choice. Her heart was crying
out hungrily for the love OF this tai,
mysterious soldier Of fortune.
"It Is best. she murmured finally.
Later ON she vas to know the meaning
of the peculiar smile he gave her.
II go because you dismiss me, not
because I fear an enemy. II you
choose to remember me at all, be just
enough to believe that I am not a
shameless coward"
"You are brave and true and good,
and am miserable, deceiful wretch, :"
she lamented. "You viii seek Ravone
and the otbers?'
tYes; they are my friends. They
love my poverty. And now, may it
please your highness, when am I to go
forth, and in what garb? I should no
longer wear the honest uniform Of a
| Graustark guard"
leave it to me. Everything shall be
arranged. You will be discreet? No
one is to know that I am your
"Rest assured, Miss Calhoun. have
a close mouth" And be smiled con-
temptuously.
1'I agree with you," said she regret
fully. You know how to hold your
tongue" He laughed harshly. "For
once in a way will you answer qnes-
tion?'
IT will not promise"
"You say that you are Dantan's
friend. Is it true that he is to marry
the daughter Of the Duke of Matz,
Countess Iolanda?'
"It has been so reported"
els she beautiful%'
eyes; exceedingly
"But is he to marry her?" she insist
ed, she knew not why.
"How should I know, your high
ress?"
"If you call me your highness' again
III despise your she dared miserably.
"Another question: Is it true that the