The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-06

Beverly anxiously.
"He has been in a detestable mood
ever since we rejoined him. Could he
have heard anything disagreeable?'
"No: OH the contrary. it was quite
agreeable
All this time Baldos was standing at
attention a few PAGES of, a model SOL
der despite the angry shifting of his
black eyes. He saw that they had been
caught in a most unfortunate position.
No amount Of explaining could remove
the IMPRESSION that had been forced
upon the witnesses, voluntary or IN
voluntary, as the case might be. Bal
dos could do nothing to help her, While
she was compelled to face the suspl-
cions Of her best friends. At best II
could be considered nothing short OF a
clandestiae meeting. the consequences
of which she must suffer, not ne. ID
rs heated brain he was beginning to
picture scandal with al the disgusting
details that grow out Of evil misrepre-
sentation.
Count Halfont separated himself
from the group of three and advanced
to the sedan char. A:a.ianx and Dan
gloss We're arguing earnestly in low
to2es.
,.saa.l we resurl. yo.r hignness"
asked EJaleoxt. addressing Doth with
one @: rs raresc SIZES. If remerl-
I;ar :,rci:e. .ze vera 20 ti::;:..e Ell fanille
coniGa.. a2;l i I: we'll u3oa the hour.
Beside. Co;:ut ,,.II::;l':anx is Il lite dis-
tresse.i b yo;.l ;>1seEtt.aindeaness,
Miss Beverly. AID fancy be is eager
to have it out With you
MY observation-disclosures? What is it
that have forgotten:" asked Beverly.
p1ckerirg her brow.
THAT'S the trouble, DEAR" said Ye-
tive. You forgot your promise to teach
him how to play that awful game call
ed poker. He has waited for you at the
castle since 6 o'clock. 1t is now 8. Is
it any wonder that be led the searching
party? He has been on nettles for an
hour and half
Goodness. III wager he's in TEN
per- exclaimed Beverly, with no re-
morse, but some apprehension.
cit would be wisdom to apologize to
him." suggested Yetiye, and her uncle
nodded earnestly.
"All right. l think can get him into
good humor without half trying. Oh.
Count Marlanx! Come here, please.
You aren't angry with me, are you?
Wasn't it awful for me to run away
and leave you, to play solitaire instead
Of poker? But, don't you know, was
so wretchedly tired after the ride, and
l knew you wouldn't mind II p and
SO she ran glibly on, completely fore
stalling him, to the secret amusement
Of the others. Nevertheless, she was
| nervous and embarrassed over the sit
uation. There was every reason to
fear that the Iron Count had beard and
seen enough to form q pretty good opin-
ion Of what had passed between her
self and Baldos in this remote corner
Of the park. A deep sense Of shame
was taxing possession OF her.
! Marianx. snii;Ils significantly, looked
into her brave little face and permit
ted her to talk on until she had run out
OF breath and conposuEa. Then he
bowed with exaggerated gallantry and
informed her that he was hers to COM
| mand and that it was not for him to
forgive. but to accept whatever was
her gracious pleasure. He called upon
| the chair bearers, and they took up
their burden. Beverly promptly changed
| her mind and concluded to walk to the
castle. And so they started off, the
chair going ahead as If out Of COM
mission forever. Despite her efforts
to do so the American girl-feeling
very much abused. by the way-was
unsuccessful in the attempt to keep
the princess at her side. Yetive delib-
erately walked ahead with Halfo1t
and Dangloss. It seemed to Beverly
that they walked unnecessarily fast
and that Marlanx was provokingly
slow Baldos was twenty PAGES be-
hind, as was his custom.
"Is It necessary for me to ask you to
double the number Of lessons am to
have?" Marlanx asked He was quite
too close to her side to please Beverly.
Cant you learn in one lesson? Most
Americans think they know all about
poker after the first game"
II am not so quick witted, your high
ness.''
Far be 1t from me to accelerate
your wits. Count Marlanx. 1t might
not be profitable"
"You might profit by losing. you
know" he ventured. leaning still clos
er. Poker is not the only game OF
chance 1t was chance that gave me-
winning hand this evening"
81 don't understand"
"It shall be my pleasure to teach
YOU in return for instructions am tc
have. l have tried to teach your ex-
cellent guard one phase of the game.
He has not profted. fear. He has
been blind enough to pick losing
hand In snita of nv advice It is the