Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-04-30


sworn duty to guard her from the maj
who had accused her. This boy is ,
member of the band to which belong
and he watched while went forth OF
a pretty business Of my own. 1t vii
be useless to ask what that business
was / will not tell. Nor will the boy
You may kill us, but our secrets die
with us. This much / will say: We
have done nothing disloyal to Grau-
stark You may believe me or not. 1t
has been necessary for me 10 communl-
cate with my friends. and | found the
means soon after my arrival here All
the foxes that live In the hills have not
four legs" he concluded significantly.
You are a marvelr' exclaimed LOr-
~, and there was real admiration In
his voice. I'm sorry you were fool
enough 10 come back and get caught
Ike this Don't look surprised gentle
men, for believe in your hearts you
admire him quite as much as | do"
The faint smile that went the rounds
was confirmation enough. Nearly every
man there had been trained in English
speaking lands and not word of the
conversation had been missed.
II expected to be arrested. Mr.. Lor-
ry," said Baldos calmly. Il knew that
the warrant awaited me. | knew that
my fight Of last night was no secret.
l came back willingly, gladly. your
highness. and now / am ready to face
my accuser. There is nothing for me to
fear"
"And after you have confessed to all
these actions? BY George. like your
nerver exclaimed Lorry.
II have been amply indicated"
cried Marlanx. "Put him In irons
and that boy too"
"We'll interview the boy" said Lor-
ry, remembering the lad beneath the
tree.
"See; he's sleeping so sweetly," said
Baldos gently. "Poor lad, he has not
known sleep for many hours. sup
pose he'll have to be awakened. poor
little beggar."
Colonel Quinnox and Haddan crossed
the grounds to the big cedar. The boy
sprang to his feet at their call and
looked wildly about. Two big hands
elasped his arms, and a moment later
the slight figure came pathetically
across the intervening space between
the stalwart guards.
"Why has he remained here, certain
Of arrest?" demanded Lorry in sur
prise.
HE was safer with me than any
where else, Mr.. Lorry. You may
shoot me a thousand times, but | inn
plore you to deal gently with my un-
happy friend. He has done no wrong
The clothes you see upon that trem-
bling figure are torturing the poor
heart more than you can know. The
burning flush upon that cheek is the
red of modesty. Your highness and
gentlemen, / ask you to have pity on
this gentle friend of mine" He threw
his arm about the shoulder of the
slight figure as it dropped against him.
Count Marlanx was right 1t was a
woman he saw with me in the chapel
last night"
The sensation created by this simple
statement was staggering. The flushed
face was unmistakably that of young
girl, tender, modest thing that shrank
before the eyes of grim audience.
Womanly instinct impelled Yetlve to
shield the timid masquerader. Her
strange association with Baldos was
not of enough consequence in the eyes
OF this tender ruler to check the i'm.
pulse Of gentleness that swept over
ler. That the girl was guiltless OF any
Grongdoing was plain TO be seen. Her
eyes, her face, her trembling figure fur.
nished proof conclusive. The dark
looks OF the men were softened when
the arm of the princess went about the
stranger and drew her close.
"Bahl Some wanton or Otherw sneer-
ed Marlanx. "But pretty one, by the
gods. Baldos has always shown his
good taste"
Baldos glared at him like a tiger re-
strained.
Before God, you will have those
words to unsay," he hissed.
Yetlve felt the slight body Of the girl
CULVER and then grow tense.
The eyes of Baldos now were fixed
OH the white, drawn face of Beverly
Calhoun, who stood quite alone at the
top of the steps. She began to sway
dizzlly, and he saw that she was about
to fall. Sprlnging away from the
guards, he dashed up the steps to her
side. His arm caught her as she sway
ed, and its touch restored strength to
her-the strength of resentment and
defiance
Don't" she whispered hoarsely.
"Have courage" he murmured softly.
at will all be well. There is no dan
ger"
80 this is the woman" she cried
bitterly.
Eyes. You alone are dearer to me
than She" he uttered hurriedly.
Il can't believe word you say"
you will. Beverly. love you. That
is why came back. could not leave
you to meet it alone Was not right?
Let them put me into irOns-let them
kill me-
Gomez cried Colonel Qulnnox. reach
ing his side at this instant The girl
will be cared for. You are prisoner"
"Wait!" implored Beverly. light sud
denly breaking in upon her, please
wait, Colonel Quinnox." He hesltated,
his broad shoulders between her and
the gaping crowd below. She saw
with grateful heart that Yetive and
Lorry were holding the steps as II
against a warlike foe. as she-Is she
your wifeT"