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


II want to talk about last night. You
were very reckless to do what you
did .
soh. you were playing The spy,
4ban?' she asked scornfully.
AN Involuntary observer, believe me
land a jealous one. I bad hoped to
win the affections of an innocent girl
::.1..sSa saw last night shocked me be-
yond expression"
aWen, you shouldn't have looked"
she retorted, tossing her chin, and the
red feather in her hat bob5ed angrily.
5 81 am surprised that one as clever
as you are could have carried o1l an
amour so incauhously,' he said blandly.
Is What do you mean?"
ST mean that I saw everything that
occurred"
& ssWeI, I'm not ashamed Of it, obsti-
nately. .tGoodby, Count Marlanx-"
.EGne moment, please. I. cannot let
you off so easily. What right had you
60 take that man into your room, a
place sacred in the palace Of Grau-
stark? Answer me, Miss Calhoun
Beverly drew back in horror and be
mfIderment.
ssInto my roon?'' she gasped.
E ssLet us waste no time in subter-
fuge. I saw him come from your win
dow, and saw ali that passed between
you IN The balcony. Loves eyes are
keen. What occurred in your chamber
I can only"
Stop! How dare you say such a
thing to me?" she fercely cried .sYou
miserable coward! You know he was
not In my room Take it back-take
back every word of that lier' She
was white with passion, cold with ter
ror.
Bah! This is childish. I am not
the only one who saw him, my dear.
He was in your room-you were In his
arms. It's useless to deny it. And to
think that have spared him from
s5eatA to have it come to this! You
need not look so horrifed. Your Sc
gset IS safe with me. I come to make
Germs with you. Ny silence in ex-
change for your beauty. It's worth 1t
trs sou 0ne word from me, you are
.GisgTaced and Baldos dies. Come, my
far 2sdy, give me your promise. It's
a COED csrgain for BOTH"
Beverly Eas trembling like leaf.
This phase Of his yillainy had not oc-
czrTea 30 her. She was like bird try
iag to avoid the charmed eye Of the
serpent
e0h, yoryou miserable wretch
sLe cried, hoarse with anger and de-
SPAR. What cur you are! You
know you are not speaking the truth.
How can you say such things TO NE?
I have never wronged you She was
almost in tears, impotent with shame
and fear.
'1t has been a pretty game Of love
for you and the excellent Baldos. You
have deceived those who love you best
and trust you most. What viii the
princess say when she hears Of last
nights merry escapade? What Will
she say when she learns VINO was host
ess to a common guardsman ct the
midnight hour? It is no wonder that
you look terrified. 1t is for you to
say whether she is to know or not
You can bind me to silence. You have
lost Baldos. Take me and all that I
can give you in his stead, and the
werld never shall knew the truth. You
love him, know, and there is but one
way to save him Say the word and
he goes free to the hills; decline and
his life is not worth breath Of air."
eAnd pretending to believe this Of
me, you still ask me to be your wife.
What kind of man are your she de
msnded, scarcely able to speak.
.eMy wifey' he said harshly. "Oh,
no. You are not the wife of Baldos,"
he added significantly.
sHeavensw gasped Beverly, crush
ed by the brutality Of it all. II would
sooner die. Would to heaven my IA
ther were here. He would shoot you
rs he would dog. Oh, how I loathe
yos! sDon't you try to stop me! l
shall go to the princess myself. She
shall know what manner Of beast you
are"
She was racing up the steps, flaming
with anger and shame.
Remember, can prove what have
said. Beware what you do. love you
so much that I now ask you to become
my wife. Think well over it. Your
honor and his life! It rests with you"
he cried eagerly, following her to the
door.
tYou disgusting old fool,' she Kissed.
torning upon him es she pulled the
big brass kEocker on the door.
'1 must have my answer tonight or
you know what will happen ne snari-
ea, but he felt in his heart that he had
cost through his eagerness.
She few to Yetive's boudoir, consum-
ed by rage and modification. Between
eobs and feminine maledictions she