Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-02-01

70 Baldos, which Beverly had forgotten
IN the excitement OF the encounter.
"Count Marlanx, give me that pa
perr demanded Beverly breathessly.
"Is It a love letter. Perhaps It Is
intended for me. At any rate, your
highness, II IL safe against my heart
for the time being. When we reach
the castle shall be happy to restore
It. II is safer with me. Come. we go
one way and-have you not gone. slrT
In his most sarcastic tone to the guard.
Beverly was trembling.
mo, have not, and ] shall not go
until see you obey the command or
her highness. She has asked you for
that piece OF paper" said Baldos,
standing squarely In front Of Marlanx.
"lnsolent dog DO you mean to
question my
"Give over that paperw
'If you strike me, fellow, II will
be-
"If ! strike you II will be TO kill.
Count Marlanx. The paper, sir" Bal
dos lowered over the Iron Count. and
there was danger In his daredevil voice.
"Surely, sir. | am but obeying your own
instructions Protect the princess and
all that IL hers with your life.' you have
said to me-"
"Oh, ] wish you hadn't done this,
Baldosl" cried Beverly, panic stricken.
"You have threatened my life. ]
shall not forget II, fool! Here Is the
precious note, your hlghness. with my
condolences to the writer Marlanx
passed the note to her and then looked
trlumphantly ut the guard. 81 dare
say you have done all you can, sir. DO
you wish to add anything more"
what can one do when dealing with
his superior and finds him desplcable
cowardf said Bnldos, with cool irony.
"You are rcputed TO be brave sol
der. ] know that TO be false or ]
would ask you TO draw the sword you
carry and He was drawing his
sword as he spoke.
"Baldosr lmplored Beverly Her
evident concern lnfurlated Marlanx.
In his heart he knew Baldos TO be n
man OF superior birth and foeman
not TO be desplsed from his own sta
ton. Carried away by passion, he
flashed his sword from lts sheath.
"You have drawn on me, sir" he
snarled II must defend myself
against even such as you. You will
fnd that am no coward. Time IL
short for your gallant lover madam"
Before she could utter a word OF pro
test the blades had clashed. and they
were hungry for blood. II was dark
in the shadows OF the trees, and the trio
were quite alone with their tragedy.
She heard Baldos laugh recklessly In
response to Marlanxs cry OF;
"oh, the shame Of lighting with such
carrlon ns you"
"Don't Jest at Il time like this, count" ="
said the guard softly. Remember
that lose. no matter which way II
goes II you kin me lose, II beat
you | lose Remember you can stlll
have me shot for insubordnatlon and
conduct unbecoming'
"Stopw nlmost shrIckcd Beverly. At
the risk Of personal injury she rushed
between the two swordsmen Both
drew back aud dropped their points.
Not dozen passes had been made,
Il beg your hlghness' pardon muir
INJURED Baldos, but he did not sheathe
his sword
"IIc forced u upon me-" cried Mar.
lanx trlumphnntly you were wit
ness 10 II all was fool to let 1t go
as far IA this Put up your sword un.
I'll another day II that day ever comes
10 YOU"
'lIe viii have you shot for this
Baldos," cried Beverly In her terror.
Baldos laughed bitterly
Tiled and hllndfoldcd, too, your high
ness 10 prove that he is "a brave man
and not u coward II was short. but II
was sweet Would that you had let
the play go ON There was a spice In
Il that made lie worth living and death
worth the dying Have You other com
mands tor me. your mgmcssw His
manner was SO cool and defiant that
she felt the tears sprlug TO her eyes
"Ouly that YOU put up your sword
and end this miserable affair by going
60 your your room"
1T Is punishment enough Tomor.
rows execution can be no harder"
MarlauX had been thinking an this
time Into his soul came the thrlO oi