The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-01-30

word to Quinnox 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 Yetve 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 duplicity. And while she
turned these troublesome alternatives
over in her mind the opportunity to
act was lost. Ra7one and his men
were gone, and the harm. II any was
intended, was done.
From time to time she glanced back
at the guard. His face was imperturb-
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-
ton Of his conduct, threatening him If
necessary. # 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 dam
age was done. and the chance to undo
it 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.
It was late In the day when the party
returned to the castle tired out. Bev-
erl; was the only one who had no long
ing to seek repose after the fatiguing
hip. 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 de-
lghtful feeling Of being in the eight
eenth century.
In a far corner of the grounds, now
gray in the early dusk, Beverly bade
the bearers to set down her chair and
leave her in quiet for few minutes.
The two men withdrew to respectful
distance, whereupon she called Baidos
to her side. Her face was flushed with
anxiety.
'You must tell me the truth about
that transaction with Ravone," she
said, coming straight to the point
.Tw was expecting this, your highness," ,"
said he quietly. The shadows Of night
were failing. but she could distinguish
the look OF anxiety In his dark eyes.
.swen?" she insisted impatiently.
'You saw the notes exchanged?"
eyes, yes, and command you to tell
me what they contained. It was the
n ost daring thing r.
.Your highness, cannot tell you
what passed between us. It would be
treacherous." he said firmly. Beverly
gasped In sheer amusement
"Treacherous? Good heaven, sir! To
whom do you owe a1legiance-to me or
to Ravcne and that band Ct tramps"
she cried. with eyes afre.
.rTo both. your highness." he an
swered SO fairly tnat che WIS for the
1ooment abashed. ''I an ioyai to you-
loyai to the hearts ecre-ena yet am
loyal to tnat unhappy BAND of esamps,
as you choose to call them. They are
my friends. You are only my sover-
eign."
"And you won't tell me what passed
between you?' she said, angered by
this epigrammatc remark.
II cannot and be true to myself"
"oh, you are glorious soldierw she
exclaimed, with fierce sarcasm In her
voice. "You speak, Of being true!
surprise you in the very act Of
"Stay, your highnessr he said cold
IL. 'You are about to call me a spy
and traitor. Spare me. implore yous
that humiliation. have sworn to serve
you faithfully and loyalty. I have not
Baldos has wronged no man, no wom-
an. What passed between Ravone and
myself concerns Us only. 1t had moth
ing to do with the affairs Of Graz
stark"
"Of course you would say that. You
wouldn't be fool enough to tell the
truth" cried she hotly. II am the
fool! / have trusted you, and if any
thing goes wrong alone am to blame
for exposing poor Graustark to danger.
Oh, why didn't I cry out this after
noonr'
.1 knew you would not" be said,
with cool unconcern.
'Insolence! What do you mean by
that:" she cried in confusion.s
"In your heart you knew was doing
no wrong. You shielded me then, as
you have shielded me from the begin
ming"
81 don't see why I sit here and let
A. ~os1 Goal