Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-03-05

confusion at last II hate all of youH
"Oh, Beverly!' whispered tine prIn-
cess In distress
"Well, perhaps you We're led into
it." retracted Beverly, half mollifed.
look at that old villain whispering
over there, No wonder his wives up
and died. They just had to do It, l
hate all but you and Count Halfont
and Baron Dangloss," which left but
one condemned.
"And BaldosT added Yetlve, patting
her hand.
II wish you'd be sensible" cried Bey-
erly most ungraclously, and Yetlve's
soft laugh lrrltated her. How long
had you been listening to us?
"Not so much as the tinlest part Of
minute" said Yetive recalling an
other disastrous eavesdropplng. II am
much wiser than when Baldos first
came to serve you, We were quite a
distance behind Count Marlanx, as
sure you"
"Then he heard somethingY asked
Beverly anxiously.
"He has been In detestable mood
ever since we rejoined him. Could he
have heard anything dlsagreeabler
'No; on the contrary, It was quite
agreeable"
All, this time Baldos was standing at
attention few PAGES off, model sol
dier despite the angry shifting of his
black eyes. He saw that they had been
caught in 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 1t
could be considered nothing short Of a
clandestine meeting, the consequences
of which she must suffer, not he In
his heated brain he was beginning to
picture scandal with all the disgusting
details that grow out Of evil misrepre-
sentation.
Count Halfont separated himself
from the group Of three and advanced
to the sedan chair. Marlanx and DAN
gloss were arguing earnestly In low
| tones.
"ShalI we return, your highness?"
asked Halfont, addressing both with
one of his rarest smiles. IF remem-
Der Alright, we were to dine en- famille
tonight, and 1t is well upon the hour.
Besides, Count Marlanx Is little dis
tressed by your observation-disclosures
Miss Beverly, and fancy he is eager
to have it out with you"
my observation-disclosures What Is it
that have forgotten?" asked Beverly,
puckering 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 O'clock. 1t is now 8. Is
1t any wonder that he led the searching
party? He has been on nettles for an
hour and half"
Goodness, I'll wager he's in a TEN.
peri exclaimed Beverly. with no re
morse, but some apprehension.
ut would be wisdom to apologize to
him." suggested Yetlve, and her uncle
nodded earnestly.
"All right. | 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 1t 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
| knew you wouldn't mind If H. 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 heard and
seen enough to form 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 taking possession of her.
Marlanx, smiling significantly. looked
into her brave little face and permit
ted her to talk on until she had run out
OF breath and composure. 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 of, 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 Halfont
and Dangloss. 1t 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 lessonY Most
Americans think they know all about
poker after the first game"