The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-03-20

81 have been bitterly deceived IN
you" said Lorry, genuine pain in his
voice. eve trusted you implicitly.
didn't think it Of you, Baldos. After
an, it is honorable Of you to expose SO
thoroughly your own infamy in order
TO acauit an innocent person who be,
Eeved in you. You did not have to
ccme back to the castle. You might
have escaped punishment by using
Miss Calhoun as shield from her
highness' wrath But none the less you
compel me to give countenance to all
that Count Marlanx has said"
ssI insist that it was Miss Calhoun
who went through the panel with him"
said MarIanx eagerly. "If it was this
boy who accompanied you, what was
his excuse in returning to the castle
after you had fed?"
'sHe came back to watch over Miss
Calhoun while she slept. 1t was my
sworn duty to guard her from the man
Z who had accused her. This boy is a
member of the band to which belong,
and be watched while went forth on
pretty business Of my own. It will
be useless to ask what that business
WIS. I viii not tell. Nor viii the boy.
You may kill us, but our secrets die
with us. This much I will say: We
have done nothing disloyal to Grau-
stark. You may believe me or not. It
has been necessary for me to communi-
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.
.eYou are marvelr' exclaimed Lor-
~, and there was real admiration in
his voice. I'm sorry you were fool
enough to come back and get caught
like this. Don't look surprised, gentle
men, for I believe in your hearts you
admire him quite as much as I 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.
81 expected to be arrested, Mr.. Lor-
ssry,' said Ba1dos calmly. 81 knew that
the warrant awaited me. knew that
my fight Of last night was 40 secret.
I came back willingly, gladly, your
highness, and now am ready to face
my accuser. There is nothing for me to
gear.''
And after you have confessed to AZ
sshesa actions? By George, I Ike your
aeryes' exclaimed Lorry.
aaye been amply vindicateG," :"
cried Marian .sPut hiu il irons
and that boy too"
well interview the boy" said Lor-
", remembering the lad beneath the
tree.
See; he's sleeping so sweetly," said
BaIdos gently. "Poor lad, he has not
known sleep for many hours. I 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
locked wildly about Two big hands
clasped his arms, and moment later
the slight figure came pathetically
across the intervening space between
the stalwart guards.
'sWhy has ne 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 i'm
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 cali know. The
burning flush upon that cheek is the
red Of nodesty. Your highness and
gentlemen. I ask you to have pity on
this gentle friend of nine" He threw
bis arm about the shoulder of the
sigh. figure as it dropped against him.
<1Couat Marlanx was right. It was
woman he saw with me in the chapel
hast night"
The sensation created by this simple
statement was staggering The flushed
face was unmistakably that Of a young
girl. tender, modest thing that shrank
before the eyes of grim audience.
Womanly instinct impelled Yetive to
shield the timid masquerader. Her
strange association with Baldos was
not Of enough consequence in the eyes
OF this tender ruler to creek the irp-
pulse Of gentleness that swept over
sler. That the girl was guiItless OF any
wrongdoing was plain to be seen. Her
eyes, her face, her trembling figure fur
uished proof conclusive The dark
looks Of the men were softened when
the arm Of the princess went about the
stranger and drew her close.
'e8ah, Some wanton or otherr' sneer-
ed Marlanx. But pretty one, by the
goes. Baldos has always shown his
good taste.''
BaIdos glared at him Ike tiger re-