Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-03-05


"That was beautiful" murmured
Beverly, looking up, fascinated for the
moment.
"Oh, that had the courage to enlist"
he cried, bending low once more. She
felt the danger in his voice, half tremu-
lous with something more than loyalty,
and drew her hand away from place
of instant jeopardy. 1t was fire that
she was playing with, she realized with
a start Of consciousness. Sweet as the
spell had grown to be she saw that II
must be shattered.
ut is getting frightfully late" she
sharply exclaimed. They'll wonder
where I'VE gone to- Why, It's actually
darkw
1T has been dark for half an hour.
your highness," said he, drawing him
self up with sudden rigIdness that dis
tressed her Are you going to return
to the castleT
Eyes. They'll have out searching
party pretty soon IL don't appear"
"You have been good to me today"
he said thoughtfully. 81 shall try to
merit the kindness Let me-
"Oh, please don't talk in that humble
way! It's ridiculous! I'd rather have
you absolutely impertinent, | declare
upon my honor / would Don't you re
member how you talked when you
wore the red feather? Well, liked
it."
Baldos laughed easily, happily. His
heart was not very humble, though his
voice and manner were
"Red is the color Of lnsOlence, you
mean"
tits a good deal jaunter than blue"
she declared.
Before you call the bearers, Miss
your highness. wish to retract some
thing said awhile ago" he said very
seriously
81 should think you would" she re-
spOnded, utterly mlsinterpreting his In
tent
you asked me to tell you what my
message to Ravone contained and /
refused. Subsequently the extent of
his message to me led us into most
thorough understanding 1t Is only
just and right that you should know
what | said to him."
Il trust you, Baldos," she protested
simply.
THAT is why tell this to you. Yes
terday, your highness, the castle guard
received their months pay. You may
not know how we'll we are paid, so /
will say that it is 10 gavvos to each.
The envelope which gave to Ravone
contained my wages for the past six
weeks. They need it far more than /
do. There was also q short note of
good cheer to those poor comrades of
mine and the assurance that one day
our luck may change and starvation
be succeeded by plenty. And, still
more, told him that knew you to be
Miss Calhoun and that you were my
angel Of inspiration. That was all.
your highness."
Thank you, Baldos, for telling me-"
she said softly. You have made me
ashamed of myself"
"On the contrary, fear that have
been indulging in mock herOics. Truth
and egotism, like salad, require a
certain amount of dressing"
'Since you are Baldos and not a
fairy prince | think you may instruct
the men to carry me back, being with
out the magic tapestry which could
transplant me in Whit. Goodness.
who's thatT'
Within ten feet of the sedan chair
and directly behind the tall guard stood
a small group of people. He and Bev-
erly, engrossed in each other, had not
heard their approach. How long they
had been silent spectators of the little
scene only the intruders knew. The
startled abashed eyes of the girl In
the chair were not long In distinguish
Ing the newcomers. A pace In front
of the others stood the gaunt, shadowy
form of Count Marlanx.
Behind him were the Princess Ye.
tive, the old prime minister and Baron
Dangloss.