Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-01-25

Then he heard somethingT asked
Beverly anxiously.
'He has been in a detestable mood
ever since we rejoined him. Could he
have heard anything disagreeabler
'No; on the contrary, II was quite
agreeable"
All this time Baldos was standing at
attention few PAGES of, a 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 suspi-
cions of her best friends. At best 1t
could be considered nothing short Of
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. Maranx and Dan
gloss were arguing earnestly in low
tones.
shall we return, your hghness"
asked Halfont, addressing both with
one of his rarest smiles. IF | remem-
ber Alright, we We're to dine en- famille
tonight, and it 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 1t out with you"
"My observation-disclosures? What is it
that l have forgottenT 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 g o'clock. 1t is now s. Is
1t any wonder that he led the searching
party? He has been ON nettles for an
hour and half"
Goodness, III wager he's In a tenn
peri exclaimed Beverly, with no re-
morse but some apprehension.
1T would be wisdom to apologize to
him. suggested Yetive, and her uncle
nodded earnestly.
"All right. l think can get him into
good humor without half trying Oh,
Count Marlanxl Come here, please.
You aren't angry with me, are you?
Wasn't it 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 p 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-
lon 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 off, 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 dellb-
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.
"ls 1t 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 lesson? Most
Americans think they know all about
poker after the first game"
81 am not so quick wtted, your high
ness"
Ear be 1t from me to accelerate
your wits, Count Marlanx. II might
not be profitable"
'You might profit by losing, you
know" he ventured, leaning still clos.
er. Poker is not the only game OF
chance. 1t was chance that gave me a
winning hand this evening"
~ don't understand"
'It shall be my pleasure to teach
you in return for Instructions am to
/ have. | have tried to teach your ex-
cellent guard one phase OF the game.
He has not profited, fear. He has
been blind enough to pick losing
hand in spite of my advice. II is the
game of hearts" Beverly could not
but understand. She shrank away
with a shudder. Her wits did not de