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

la I'll udu buTEepllllOuSIy eACuhllSeu
- messages, doubtless by an ar.
rangement perfected since he had en-
tered the service possibly within the
week-could not be disputed. When
and how had they planned the acct
dental meeting? What had been their
method Of communication? And, above
all, what were the contents of the mes
sages exchanged? Were they of a
purely personal nature or did they COM
prehend injury to the principality of
Graustark? Beverly could not, in her
heart, feel that Baldos was doing any
thing inlmcal to the country he served,
and yet her duty and loyalty to Yetlve
made it imperative that the transac-
tion should be reported at once. A
word to Qulnnox and Ravone would be
seized and searched for the mysterious
paper. This. however, looked utterly
unreasonable, for the vagabonds were
armed and in force, while Yetive was
accompanied by but three men who
could be depended upon. Baldos, un-
der the conditions, was not to be reck-
Oned upon for support On the other
hand, If he meant no harm, it would be
cruel, even fatal, to expose him to this
charge of dupllcity And while she
turned these troublesome alternatives
over in her mind the opportunity to
act was lost. Ravone and his men
were gone, and the harm, If any was
intended, was done.
From time to time she glanced back
at the guard. His face was lmperturb-
able, even sphinx like in its steadiness
She decided to hold him personally to
account. At the earliest available mo-
ment she would demand an explana-
tlon of his conduct, threatening him If
necessary. If he proved obdurate there
was but one course left open to her.
She would deliver him up to the JUS
tice he had outraged. Hour after hour
went by, and Beverly suffered more
than she could have told. The damn
age was done, and the chance to undo
1t was slipping farther and farther out
of her grasp. She began to look upon
herself as the vilest of traitors. There
was no silver among the clouds that
marred her thoughts that afternoon.
1t was late in the day when the party
returned to the castle tired out. Bey-
erly was the only one who had no long
ing to seek repose after the fatiguing
trip. Her mind was full Of unrest. 1t |
was necessary to question Baldos at |
once. There could be no peace for her
until she learned the truth from him.
The strain became so great that at last
She sent word for him to attend her In
the park. He was to accompany the
men who carried the sedan chair, in
which she had learned to sit with a de-
lightful feeling of being in the eight.
zenith century.
In far corner of the grounds, now
gray In the early dusk, Beverly bade
the bearers to set down her chair and
eave her in quiet for a few minutes.
Ihe TWO men withdrew to q respectful
distance, whereupon she called Baldos
% her side. Her face was flushed with
anxiety.
You must tell me the truth about
mat transaction with Ravone," she
'aid' coming straight to the point.
Il was expecting this, your highness"
'aid he quietly. The shadows of night
we're falling, but she could distinguish
he look of anxiety in his dark eyes.
"WellY she insisted impatiently.
You saw the notes exchangedT ,
Yes, yes, and command you to tell i
ne what they contained. It was. the
nost daring thing r.
Your highness, cannot tell Won (
Vhat passed between us. 1t would he
reacherous," he said firmly. Beverly
asped in sheer amazement =
Ireacherous? Good heaven, sir! To
7hom do you owe allegiance to me or
hayone and that band of tramnsP1 !
le cried, with eyes afire.
10 both. your highness," be an.