Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-03-12

"Is 1t love letter? Perhaps it |
intended for me. At any rate. you
highness, 1t is safe against my hear
for the time being. When We reacl
the castle shall be happy to restor
1t. 1t Is safer with me. Come, we g,
one way and-have you not gone, sir?
In his most sarcastic tone to the guard
Beverly was trembling.
mo, l have not, and | shall not q
until l see you obey the command Ol
her hlghness. She has asked you fol
that piece of paper" said Baldos
standing squarely in front Of Marlanx
''InsOlent dOgl Do you mean tC
question my
'Give over that paperv
'If you strike me, fellow, 1t will
be-
"If / strike you It 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 is hers with your llfe,' you have
said to me-"
"0h, wish you hadn't done this,
Baldos!" cried Beverly, panic stricken.
"YOu have threatened my life.
shall not forget 1t, fool! Here Is the
precious note, your hlghness, with my
condolences to the writer" Marlanx
passed the note to her and then looked
triumphantly 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 despicable
cowardY' said Baldos, with cool irony.
''YOu are reputed to be brave sol
dIer. / know that to be false or
would ask you to draw the sword you
carry and He was drawing his
sword as he spoke.
..'Baldosw implOred Beverly. Her
evident concern Infuriated Marlanx.
In his heart he knew BaldOs to be
man of superior birth and foeman
not to be desplsed from his own sta
tlOn. Carried away by passion, he
flashed his sword from its sheath.
"You have drawn on me, sir" he
snarled. II must defend myself |
against even such as you. You will
find that / am no coward. Time Is
short for your gallant lover, madam"
Before she could utter word of pro-
test the blades had clashed, and they
were hungry for blood 1t 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 Marlanx's cry of:
"Oh, the shame of fighting with such
carrion as your
"Don't jest at time like this, count"
said the guard softly. Remember
that lose, no matter which way it
goes. If you kill me lose, If beat
you l lose. Remember. you can still
have me shot for insubordination and
conduct unbecoming"-
"StopW almost shrleked Beverly. At
the risk of personal injury she rushed
between the two swordsmen. Both
drew back and dropped their points.
Not dozen passes had been made.
81 beg your highness pardon" MUIR
INJURED Baldos, but he did not sheathe
his sword.
''He forced 1t upon me-" cried Mar
lanx triumphantly. ''You were wit
ness to it all. was fool to let it go
as far as this. Put up your sword un-
til another day--lf that day ever comes
to you"
"He will have you shot for this,
cried Beverly in her terror
Baldos laughed bitterly.
Tiled and blindfolded, too, your high
ness, to prove that he is brave man
and not coward. 1t was short. but 1t
was sweet Would that you had let
he play go on. There was spice In
t that made life worth living and death
worth the dying. Have you other COM
hands for me, your hlghnessT His
manner was so cool and defiant that
he felt the tears spring to her eyes.
"Only that you put up your sword
nd end this miserable affair by going
o yOur-yOur room"
ut is punishment enough. Tomor-
ow's execution can be no harder"
Marlanx had been thinking all this
ime. Into his soul came the thrill Of
riumph. the consciousness of a mighty
over. He saw the chance to benefit
y the sudden clash, and he was not
low to seize Il.
Never fear, my man." he said cas-
y; ''it won't be as bad as that. l can
Yell afford to overlook your indlscre-
on Of tonight. There will be no exc
utiOn, as you call it. This was an
fair between men, not between man
nd the state. Our gracious referee is
be our judge. 1t is for her to par
on and to condemn. 1t was very
retty while 1t lasted, and you are too
God swordsman to be shot. Go your
ay, BaldOs, and remember me as
Iarlanx the man, not Marlanx the
eneral. AS your superior officer,
ongratulate and commend you upon
le manner In which you serve the
rlncess."
you Will always find me ready TO
ght and to die for her." said Baldos
'avely. "Do you think you can re-
ember that, Count Marlanx?" !
II have an excellent memory" said
e count steadily. With a graceful
lutte to Beverly. Baldos turned and /
alked away In the darkness.
"A perfect gentleman, Miss Calhoun,
t a wretched soldier" said Marlanx s
lmly.
He Is a hero" she said quietly, a :
eat calmness coming over her. do !
D mean Il when Won say Yon are not !.