r
10 THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY , JUNE 25 , 1800.
modern mercenary.
J
. . .
BY E. & II. HERON.
Synopsis of. Preceding Chapters.
Mnasau IB a llttlo dutcby In Europe which
1ms thus far maintained Us Independence be-
caueo of the Jealousies ot tbo largo coun
tries. International affairs are now , however -
over , at a critical stage , and the llttlo elate
Booms about to bo swallowed up. Ocrmnny
Is represented at Itcvondc , the capltol , by
ono of her shrewdest statesmen , Dnron von
Klmur. Kngland's Influence Is felt to bo
Kreat , and the presence of Major Counsellor
moans much. It was through Counsellor
that John Hallywood , a fellow countryman ,
had served seven fears In the Maasau fron
tier cavalry. Hollywood Is about to resign
bis commission when Selpdorf , the chan
cellor nnd "man of the hour , " sends for him
nnd makes him a Gentleman of the Guard.
DUrlnc the visit to the palace Uallywood
meets Von Elmur and Valeria Selpdorf , , the
chancellor's daughter.
XCopyrlcht , 1S03 , by Doublcday & Me-
Cluro Company. )
CIIAl'Tnil III.
The Oentleinon of the ( Sunril.
Members of great families frequently re
gard themselves as submerged Individuali
ties. They wilfully sink nil Identity of their
own In the traditions handed down to them ,
and llvo as more representatives of a line
which boars In common a noble namo. This
principle , which has something to recom
mend It , iwoa adopted long ago Into the sys
tem of the Guard of Maasau , the ofTlcers of
which < wcro first gentlemen ot the guard
nnd afterward mon In the private nnd ordi
nary scnso of the term. There were nlno
of them a coloncl-ln-chlef , whoso position
ibccamo honorary after his elevation to that
rank ; a colonel , upon whom devolved the
nctlvo command ; a second' ' In comand , whoso
tltlo of ovor-cnptoln may bo translated
major ; three captains , and as many sub
alterns. 'And ' every Individual wan drawn
from the noblest blood In the country.
Thus It will bo seen that Uallywood wna
about to enter the best company In Ilevonde.
On a 'lofty ' cliff above the gorge from
which the Kofn Issues to curve round the
palace gardens , and exposed to the four
winds of heaven , stands an Imposing square
block of gray buildings. These contain the
permanent quarters of the guard. Ono
whole sldo ot the courtyard within Is taken
up by the domed mess room , with Its neces
sary adjuncts and offices.
Hero on the day following Hollywood's
Interview with Solpdorf , three men lounged
over their lunch. Any one of them , hod ho
cared to take the regimental rolls from tholr
( brass-bound coffer in the nnto-room , could
Jiixvo read his awn name repeating Itself
down the columns as generation after gen
eration lived through Its identical life In
the same surroundings , and died , most ot
them going to the dovll with a One inher
ited prtdo and oven gracefully.
Nearly every man who had crossed the
page"ot the Maasaun annals had dined in
that historic room , and each one ot the
men who now held the right to dine there
liad a "hereditary interest , and in many
cases a hereditary characteristic to main
tain. There was old walrus-faced Wnllen-
loup ; the thin , dark , reckless Colendorp ;
'Adlron , whoso great bulk behind a calvary
eword was a sight for tbo gods , and so on ,
the three lieutenants following closely In
the footsteps of the three lieutenants who
( had been before them ; men who went to
the rendezvous ot a duel in all comfort ,
affecting to bo Infinitely more afraid of
catching cold than of being killed ; men
who klesed the wlfo nnd dispatched tbo hus
band with equal skill and as llttlo noise as
might be ; men who were feared by a tough ,
Bwaggorlng , rancorous soldiery , whom they
only knew through the hard-faced ser
geants ; men , In fact , who lived out tholr
debonair , picturesquely evil lives to the
satisfaction ot themselves and of few' '
others.
, On this occasion Colonel Wallenloup , the
commandant , was not present. Ot him It was
told that while still a lieutenant he had
been , offered , as a reward for services ren-
ercd to the crown , the command of any
Maasaun regiment bo might choose to select
'
lect , and ho had replied that bo would
rather bo a lieutenant ot the guard than a
Held marshal elsewhere. And so ho re
mained to flavor the mess with his eomo-
what blood-and-lroa jokes. The messroom
was a spacious hall , and though only three
men sat at table tbo place seemed full of
llfo and color from the black polished floor
ing to the carved and vaulted colling , from
which hung in tattered folds the old ban
ners of the regiment. lied hangings partially
draped the dark walls , and over all from
the stained dome the light fell In rich tones
of color , Willie through the talk of the men
ran the one weird sound that never ceased
about these walls , the whimpering of the
wind.
Suddenly the door opened and a young
man , small and thin , with a faint down
upon bin upper lip , entered quickly.
"Unzlor has wcnl" he cried.
"Won. what ? " asked Adlron , the senior
man present , as he pourned out another
Class of wine.
"Won his second match against Abon-
fcldt with seven to spare. "
Adlron stretched his legs and leaned
back ; his figure was well adapted for leanIng -
Ing back.
"My good Adolf , oxpfaln yourself. "
"Hadn't you heard of It ? Why , they ar
ranged It last night at Countess 6a-
Ban's.1
"Abenfcldt fancies himself as a shot ,
but he 'forgot ' ho hnd to do with Unr.lar , "
laughed Captain Adlron.
"Abenfcldt bet that ho could shoot more
Bwallaus In half an hour before breakfast
< hnn any man In Ttevcndo , That was In
September , you know , and Unzlar took him
up with service revnlvors and shot fifteen ,
winning easily. Abeufoldt can't get over It
and challenged him to a shooting match
ngnlu last night , I say , " Adolf broke off
and bis face altered ; be thrust out a little
foot and surveyed tbo spurred boot that
covered it critical/ . "I've Just ridden back
from Uralo. That new charger of mine
bolted down the hill by the paling. I went
PILES
I naffbred the torture * of lit * damned
with protruding piles brought on by constipa
tion with which I was afflicted for twenty
yo r § . I ran across your CASCARETS in the
town of Newell , In. , and never found anyiblnR
to Cflual them. To-d y I am entirely free from
piles nud feel like new nan. "
a H. KVITZ , Hit Jones St. , Sleui City , la.
K i nt. P UUW . fount. Tftto doal.no
Good , H T r eickia. w V > .ar Orif,10c,25cf0c.
. . . CURE CONSTIPATION. . . .
Ill
MO-TO'IAO ffi
. to ECO Inscrmann ; they had not been able
to move him , you know. "
"Well ? " urged nil three voices at once.
"Inscrmann's dead. He died last night at
dinner time. "
The men's eyes shot for a second at In-
scrmann's empty place , which ho was never
to occupy ngaln.
"Ah , I told him that ( scooping pass of
his was a mistake , " commented Adlron.
"And tbo worst of it la that his death
breaks the line of the Xanthal Insermanns.
Poor old Insermann ! he was the last of a
good stock , and I , for one , don't like new
blood. What have you to say about that
pass now , Colendorp ? If I am not mistaken ,
you defended It ? "
"Insennann was by three Inches too tall , "
replied the Individual addressed. "For a
short man ono would bo hard put to It to
discover a more useful Hullo ! "
The folding doora had 'been flung open
with a crash and a man of CO or there
abouts , dressed In the gorgeous green and
gold of the guard , strode In tempestuously.
Ho was short and heavily built , with a
weather-red face and a coarse , overhanging
mustache , which gave him rather the ex
pression of an angry walrus. So angry , In
deed , was ho that his -words came volleying
out Inarticulately. In his hand ho held a
crumpled sheet of parchment.
The men rose as he took his. place at the
head of the table.
"Inscrmann's dead , and Selpdorf says
" The colonel's choked ejaculations
broke , his volco failed him , and ho sent the
paper fluttering .from . his hand across the
silver nnd glass till llttlo 'Adolf picked It
up. In another1 moment Colonel Wallenloup
was more coherent.
"I nm afraid I must have walked up the
hill rather too quickly , " ho said , apologet
ically , after draining a great goblet of beer.
"However , It Is not to > bo denied that M.
Selpdorf begins to take too much upon him
self. The ontlro administration of the state
la In his hands , and yet he Is not satisfied
with that position ! No , ho alms even
higher ; he deelrcs to nominate the officers
of his highness' guard ! "
Every man present had his own peculiar
ity. The colonel's reputation would not
have stood so high as It actually did but
for his insensate temper. Perhaps the an
ecdote told of him that , rwhen discussing
the point of having boon ruled out of ac
tion during certain army maneuvers he 'bo- '
came so enraged that ho pursued the um
pire In question -with a wooden tent ham
mer , had added moro to his ( popularity than
all hla thirty odd years of service and his
Immense genius for fortification.
Some of the continental armies are al
ways marking tlmo and they do not prize
the most the man who marks time best ,
but the man wio can taring BDHIO humor
or touch of romance Into the dullness of
routine , and .they prefer the humor to bo
led up to by the winding road of eccen
tricity. It was never dull with the guard.
They possessed officers who kept their world
on the move.
"Gentlemen , " said Wallenloup at length ,
when his last remark had been received
with approval , "I have the honor to In
form you that M. Selpdorf has seen fit to
appoint , vlco Captain Insermann , deceased ,
Lieutenant John Rallywood of the Frontier
cavalry. "
A silence followed this announcement.
"Upon whoso recommendation has M. Selp
dorf taken this step ? " inquired Captain
Colendorp gravely.
"Reasons of state mere reasons of state.
Ho had the audacity to tell me so. "
"I understood , sir , that you had other
views" said Adlron.
"Well , yes , wo had virtually agreed upon
our choice , I may say , gentlemen. "
"Certainly , sir. And you raado that clear
to the chancellor ? "
"I did so perfectly clear. I told him In
the most reasonable manner that we wanted
no condemned rabble In the JIaasaun guard !
I told him that wo had practically decided
on Abenfeldt in case of a vacancy occur
ring. I even went so far as to remind
him that thcro had been lAbcnfeldts among
us for four centuries. "
"Ho couldn't meet that argument ! " ex
claimed Adlron.
" .No . , he parried It , gracefully , I admit.
Ho reminded me In turn that thcro had
been Selpdorfs also In the guard , and swore
that had , ho n. pen of his own to nominate
ho must still at this moment have given
the preference to this Englishman. I left
him to reconsider the matter , however , and
rode home , to find that already waiting for
mo in my quarters , " and ho pointed to the
parchment In Adolf's hand.
Adolf looked up with a smllo.
"He will not Join Immediately , sir. this
nallywood ? " ho said , with his gentle lisp.
"Not for a week. "
"Then It doesn't really matter , you
know , " added the young man ,
Wallenloup's red-shot eyes gleamed upon
him suddenly.
"As your commanding officer , sir , " ho
said , grimly , "I don't understand your
meaning ; but " anil nn odd smllo flickered
about the savage lips.
"As n private gentleman , colonel " put
In Colendorp.
"As a private individual I understand
your meaning very well , nut If I were
hero as your colonel , Lieutenant Adolf , by
heaven , sir , not all the officers of the guard ,
post or present" ho rose to his feet ( is ha
spoke , and , grasping the hilt of his sword ,
glared round upon them "should dare to
hint at Insult to a comrade ! " and ho drove
the 'blade homo with a clatter Into Its scab
bard , and strode out of the room as bo had
come , like a thunderstorm.
The men waited In silence until the echo
of his footsteps died away , and In the mind
of each rose a vivid memory. It happened -
ponod , from causes -which might , In the
case of the guard of Maasau , bo called nat
ural , that the three present lieutenants ,
viz. : Unzlar , Varanhelm and Adolf , had
Joined on the same traditions of their im
mediate predecessors , each Instantly agreed
to challenge each of the others , the result
of which would , In all probability , have
boon the speedy occurrence of tbreo frceh
vacancies in the list of officers.
Wallenloup heard of this , and sent for the
lieutenants , whom ho considered too valua
ble to bo thus easily lost.
"Gentlemen , " ho said , "I am about to en
force an old order that expressly forbids
quarrels amongst the members of our corps.
If you want to fight , fight some ono else.
There are plenty of men who stand badly In
need of being Wiled. Turn your attention
to them. But If any trouble should arise
between any two of you , come to mo.
There haa been enough ot this kind of scan
dal about us lately , nnd , therefore , for the
future we will do the thing quietly with a
pack of cards , or If you prefer It , with dlco.
The man who loses fan go. There is the
river , or for choice , his own pistol. You
understand me ? "
Varanhelm looked at Unziar , and Unrlar
looked at Adolf , and they smiled.
"I think , " said llttre Adolf , "we might
find others to .brawl with. "
"The river Is abominably cold , " added
Unrlar.
"And the same dish is served for us all , "
concluded Varanhelm.
Wallenloup laughed.
"I have laid the alternative before you ,
gentlemen , " ho said ; "tho cards or the
dice. "
This was the story that rose In tbo minds
of the men round the mess table , and a
minute later they joined In a simultaneous
shout of laughter. Adlron's big face was
flushed as ho called for a special brand of
champagne wherein to drink the colonel's
health.
"He's magnificent the old man ! " ho said
when ho could speak , "Let him alone. He's
equal to any mortal occasion ! He reminds
mo of the day when his Imperial majesty
over the border complimented him on the
appearance of the guard , saying ho should
feel proud to number us among the regi
ments of the German army. 'And I can
assure your majesty that the feeling of ad
miration Is entirely reciprocal , ' says the
C. O. 'Wo should be happy to Incorporate
your army in ours ! ' "
The men bad heard the story often be
fore , but It was groejcd with all the relish
of novelty , a quality which lives eternally
in any anecdote that tells ou one's own sldo.
Before the laughter had subsided another
man 4 entered the room. Ho was , perhaps ,
nearer 30 than 20. and the face under his
dull , colorless hair waa singularly pale , but
there was promise of great strength In the
long , angular body.
"My congratulations , Unzlar. " Colendorp
turned to the newcomer.
to the Continental on his arrival In Ho-
vonde.
Hero presently Counsellor dropped In upon
him. Hallywood was In his dressing room
transforming himself as rapidly as possible
Into the likeness of an English gamekeeper ;
for n. magnificent festivity in the shape ot
a masked ball was About to take place at the
palace. All the world had been invited , and
as many of the world as could go were goIng -
Ing , each with his or her own dream or pur
pose , as the case might be.
Major Counsellor eat and surveyed his
friend , occasionally offering suggestions end
remarks.
"Aro you nwaro that the guard of Maa
sau never condescends to show Itself In
Hovondo In any costume but its own blaz
ing uniform ? I see you have your edition
of It lying on their chair over there. Wby
nro you not conforming with Its amiable
peculiarities ? "
Rallywood bad his back to Counsellor at
tbo moment ,
"So I have heard , but I do not Join until
tomorrow , " ho replied In an expressionless
volco.
"And your quarters in the palace ? How
about them. ? "
"I shall also have the rooms tomorrow. "
Then ho wheeled around nnd his eyes lit on
his companion. "Hullo ! I didn't notice you
before. Is that your notion 'of the gentle
embankment of the river , along which th y
passed for some distance before reaching
the courtyard of the palace.
The great entrance hall , was still .full ot
arrivals , while up the wide central ntalrcaso
trooped maska and domlnos la a changing
kaleidoscope of form and color. Eager heads
thrust this way and that , picturesque fig
ures grouping and greeting , cavaliers ot all
periods , maidens of all nations , monks , bar
barians , cardinals , queens and clowns
sometimes the wisest head under the most
foolish caps while hero and there a few fa
vored paper folk made desultory notes and
sketchas.
The painted celling stretching overhead
la ono of the triumphs of renaissance art.
The identity of tiho master hand who
achieved that marvelous work has IK en a
moot point In art circles for a couple ot
centuries or thereabouts , and quite a library
on the oubjcct exists. The Maasauns arc very
proud of tholr celling , prouder still of the
controversy -which has raged and continues
to rage around It.
M. Selpdorf , as representing his master ,
stood at the head of the staircase and re
ceived the guests with a good deal more
polltcncos and discrimination than the duke
himself might have shown , for that person
age was said to have nn awkward habit ot
turning his 'back ' upon those whom ho hap
pened to dislike.
Major Counsellor was greeted with effu
sion ; Hallywood with raised eyebrows and a
alight reserve.
"I had hoped to welcome the new captain
of the guard this evening , " Solpdorf said In
a low voice , and with a significant glance at
RaUywood's velveteens.
"I have not yet Joined , your excellency.
Tomorrow 1 hope to have that honor , " re
turned Hallywood and passed on Into the
gallery beyond. This gallery , opening fron
the head of the staircase , ran round th
great ealoon , which served the purpose ot a
ballroom , and man'y ot the guests wore
HE ROSE TO HIS FEET AS HE SPOKE , AND , GRASPING THE ( HILT OF HIS SWORD. GLARED ROUND UPON THEM.
"Thanks. Dy the way , have you heard
of irisermannl Gone out , they toll me. "
"Yes. Acd .Tiavo you ieard of the new
appointment ? "
"No. But it's Abenfeldt , of course. The
colonel as good as promised him last year. "
"Ever heard of Lieutenant Uallywood of
ho frontier ? " demanded Colendorp , In his
slow way.
"Yes , I do happen to know him. Unzlar
ookcd around in some surprise. "He was
ho frontier fellow who undertook to bo
my second at the station when I fought Do
3alsas because ho insisted that our trains
were inferior to those In Germany , Rally-
wood you don't mean to say ? " a slow com-
irehenelon dawning upon him. "But It's
mposslble ! The fellow's an Englishman.
How could such a thing bo possible ? On
the frontier , yes , but not In the guard ! "
Colendorp was a silent , reserved man , dls-
Iked by persons who met him casually in
society , but to those who Inhabited with
ilm the quarters at tbe palace he stood as
the impersonation of the grim spirit of the
guard. Ho drew away from the table nnd
crossed his legs.
"Tho Idea has at length occurred to ono
man , " ho said , with a glance on Unzlar's
palo face ; "to M. Selpdorf , In fact. "
Unziar looked back at his Interlocutor , his
eyes hardening.
"Of course , " lie said , bringing out each
word distinctly , "Rallywood must bo got
rid of. "
"It will offend M. Selpdorf If his nominee
bo Interfered with , " went on Colendorp.
"I have already undertaken that llttlo
matter , " put In Adolf eagerly.
Thcro was an undercurrent of meaning
In all this of which each man present was
fully aware. Unzlar was presumed to have
very strong private reasons to propitiate
rather than to offend the powerful minister.
But this happened to be a typical Instance
in which the Interests of the corps overrode
those of the individual. Moreover the cus
tom of the guard required the individual
most concerned to prove his loyalty at such
Mines.
Colendorf continued to gaze at Unzlar.
"We nro much obliged to you , Adolf , " ho
said courteously ; "but in compliment to hla
comrades I feel sure that Unzlar will hardly
wish to allow any other to undertake Hits
ut clol matter. "
.Adolf would have spoken ogaln , but Un
zlar stopped him.
"As a personal favor , Adolf , leave it to
me , " ho Bald.
Adlron , who had thus far taken no part
In the discussion , now struck In.
"Hut remember , Unzlar , that you must act
with caution , For obvious reasons tbcro
must bo no apparent design. The dispute ,
whatever It may turn upon , must appear
to coma about naturally. Above all it must
not take place hero , "
"Precautions from Adlron ! " remarked
Colendorp with a thin smile. "The 'affair '
.becomes serious indeed I"
"We cannot afford to offend England while
Elmur is at work in this country. She Is
at this moment our very good friend , " Ad-
iron observed apologetically. "Thero will
be many public occasions at the Palace ball ,
for example. ' "
"You may trust mo to keep up appear
ances , " said Unzlar , "Then it is under
stood that I arrange tbo affair of Captain
Rallywood at the Palace ball if possible.
Tbo matter may safely bo left In my hands , "
Once more the folding doors wc-re thrown
back , and between tbe crimson portieres ap
peared the face of Colonel Wallenloup ,
charged with a strange expression. Ho ad
vanced a step or two Into the room , then
turned to introduce a man behind him.
"Captain Rallywood , gentlemen , " ho said.
CIIAPTUIl IV.
DiuiBrr SI trim In.
A week later Rallywood returned from
the frontier to take up his appointment in
tbe guard , Advised by a note from Wallen
loup that tils quarters were no yet in readl-
fceei for % lm at the palace , bo drove direct
art of masquerade ? What are you meant
to bo a sort of Tommy Atkins ? "
"I believed myself to bo disguised as an
offloer and a gentleman , " returned Counsel
lor , rising to give Rallywood the full effect
of his sturdy flgure , clad In the uncompro
mising scarlet so dear to his country's
heart. "This Is the uniform o the Thir
tieth dragoons as worn In or about the year
.of grace 1730. "
"Your old regiment ? "
Counsellor nodded. "And my grandfath
er's" adding. "What's the matter with the
dress ? "
"Nothing , " said Rallywood , laughing.
"Perhaps I Imagined on an occasion of this
kind you might possibly etoop to something
moro misleading than this blatantly British
get-up. "
"What were you expecting a troubadour ?
I am satisfied to appear in my own charac
ter. Only a proportion of the people wear
masks at this ball : It's an annual affair. BP-
eldos , llfo wltih a purpose Is too wearing ; ono
must always bo on the alert and have the
purpose In view , llko the actor In a six
penny theater , who plays up to the gallery
and keeps hla eye open for the rotten eg ?
of his enemy. T3io egg may not ho thrown ,
but ho must ibo ready to dodge it all the
same. And I have never excelled In dodg
ing. "
"Ah ! Just what the chancellor thinks. He
says ho has an Immense admiration for you
as the most .honest diplomat In Europe. "
"Ho put himself to the trouble of mention
ing that fact to you , did ho ? Then I shall
take tbo precaution of Insuring my life.
Anything might happen to a man of whom
ho has so villainous an opinion. "
Hallywood was arranging his gaiters.
"Why ? You don't suppose Solpdorf Is goIng -
Ing to throw the egg ? Ho spoke of you with
absolute affection. "
"My good John , he has already thrown It !
Now I must barross myself to find out the
reason , " said Counsellor. ' 'You have spoilt
my evening out. Before I had no purpose ;
now you have thrust ono upon me , You
should have 'kept your news until tomor
row. "
Rallywood was getting himself Into his
velveteen coat with a good deal of unneces
sary violence ,
"I don't bei'levo the chancellor is so dan
gerous , " ho said , carelessly. "Ho Is a con
summate actor , but ono knows It. "
"Yes , " assented the major , thoughtfully ;
"yet the moment to watch him Is the mo
ment when ho acts that ho is acting. With
us others acting is troublesome ; with him
It Is habitual and a pleasure. However , ho
has given you your company , the rank Is
substantial as far as It goes and at least the
accompanying pay is not altogether vlsloci-
ary. "
"Yes , bo's done all that. " Rallywood was
flinging some of his betonglngs back Into his
portmanteau.
' "Tho next thing will bo to find you a
mission. "
"Ho has done that also. " Rallywood raised
an expressive faco. "I am to reform the
guard ! "
Counsellor hurst Into a great laugh , but
as BuJJenly grow grave-
"Tiicy will take It kindly ! Their welcome
to you Is likely to be Interesting. "
"So I expected. But I went down to the
mess last week and was Introduced by old
Wallenloup. They were very civil. "
"Ah ! and since you left they have been
civil and too silent. Looks bad , you know. "
"O , that's nil right ; Solpdorf told me not
to bo drawn Into any shallow quarrels , "
Rallywood answered with a wnlle.
But the major did not take up the smllo.
Tbo two vertical lines abavo his fleshy nose
deepened.
"It strikes me , my 'boy , that you've got
the devil by the tall this time , " be said ,
grullly , as his eyes raised for a moment on
Hallywood ; "but you know how to take care
of yourself. Ready ? We can drive to the
palace together. I have a carriage waiting. "
Tbo couple proceeded downstairs , bought
clgarottra of the waiter and xtartod. The
wind was honllng In Its usual twanging
cadences down the broad ( streets , increasing
in force as they gained the open lighted
amusing themselves , by looking down over
the silk-hung balustrade on the dancers
below.
In the gallery Counsellor paused to say a
word hero and there to several persons ,
who , llko Rallywood and himself , were with
out masks , but ho seemed to have curiously
llttlo facility in penetrating disguises.
Presently a burly old man In the glittering
green and gold of the guard disengaged
himself from the curtains at the back of the
gallery , and nodding a supercilious acknowl
edgment of Rallywood's solute , brought his
hand dowu - with a rough heartiness on
Counsellor's shoulder.
"Back again in Maasau , Major Counsellor.
I'm glad to see you ! " ho said with the
laugh in bis small eyes marred by a wrinkle
of suspicious cunning , an expression which
seemed startling on what was at first sight
a big , bluff , sensual face. "What good wind
has clown you back among us ? "
"Thanks , my lord , " Counsellor turned
with ready response. "I am glad to find
that some of my old friends , especially
Count Sagan , have not forgotten me , " ho
said simply.
"Wo 'believed ' you had forgotten Maasau. "
"Maasnu will not allow herself to bo for
gotten ! " laughed Counsellor. "Sho Is a
coquette , and demands consideration from
all the world. "
Sagan'e face changed.
"Yes , a coquette , who trifles with many
admirers , but who knows how to hold her
own against them , " ho replied significantly.
"Who is that ? " ho added , staring after
Rallywood. "I think I recognize him as an
English lieutenant in the frontier cavalry. "
"He Is the same today , " said Counsellor.
"What ? " exclaimed Sagan. "Why today ?
Has he , then , como in for ono of your
colossal fortunes ? "
"Who can say ? " returned Counsellor. "A
fortune or a colossal misfortune. Ah !
there Is Mrao. Aspard. Au revolr , count. "
Counsellor passed on , perfectly well aware
of the heavy meaning attached to the will
ful Ignoring of Hallywood's appointment
to the guard by its colonel-tn-chlef , There
was certainly danger ahead.
CIIAPTI3II V.
Git nil I.nolc mill it Firefly.
'Meanwhile ' Rallywood had como to an
anchor beside ono of the high embossed
doors of gold and white which led from the
gallery Into various luxurious withdrawing
rooms. As ho leaned against tbe lintel a
voice suddenly said In bis ear , as It seemed ;
"My dear lady , why have such samples ?
They arc tbo most detestable things In
life and the least profitable. They poison
pleasure even when they do not altogether
deprive us of It. And what docs ono gain
by them ? Absolutely nothing , not so much
as the good opinion of our friends , who can
never bo brought to believe wo possess
them , " said a man In a mocking tone.
A distinctly uncomfortable sensation per
vaded Rallywcod's mind for the second
which preceded the reply. The voice was
Baron von Elmur's and there w s a note of
admiration In It that he had reason to be
acquainted with.
( A woman laughed , a light , provoking
laugh. Rallywood , who was s4lll held by
the crush against the door , knew It well ,
but ho breathed freely , for It waa not tbo
laugh ho hid feared to hear.
"Nevertheless , baron , I Jlko scruples ; they
are always respectable , and , therefore , of
use sometimes , " the lady answered , In a
high , sweet tone.
"Your husband , my Lord Sagan , has not
found them Indispensable in his career. "
"But he Is not a woman ! " with a sigh.
' beautiful ' with
A woman can d'epcnso
everything except her beauty ! That makes
foole of us all ! Besides "
Tbe rest of the sentence was lost , nn
Rallywood managed at length to furco his
way through tbo crowd , which was thicken
ing rapidly.
Then ho came upon a group of men ho
know , men from the frontier , from the
marshes about Kofn ford and the crags of
[ 'ulesco , men with tanned dkini like bis
own and tbe mark of tbe collar rim of their
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high military tunics round1 their throats.
They were masked , and represented various
original characters. iMoro than all were
they astonished at being recognized so
readily .by Rallywood. Rallywood drew .hla
finger ronud his throat fay way of explana
tion. Thcro was a general laugh , and the
men scattered , each to seek his own par
ticular pleasure. Hollywood remained , lookIng -
Ing down on the dancers. There was In the
back of his mind same desire to identify
the woman whoea glove was still In his
possession. iHo fixed now on ono tall
domino , now on another , but without satls-
[ action. Ho was discontentedly coming to
the point of knowing that ho had made n
fresh mistake when ho turned his bead
abruptly with a vague eenso of being looked
at and saw a black domino standing for an
instant alone at the further end of tbe gal-
ery. Even under the muffling silken folds
10 fancied he recognized the attitude of
the girl ho had met at the chancellor' ! ) .
Ho began at once to make his way through
; ho crowd In her direction , but when next
10 looked she was gone. Ho descended to
the ealoon , wJiere ho danced with moro than
ono mnfikcd woman , illls six fcot of stature
marked him out from the shorter Slaasauns ,
and the tall , athletic figure of the gamc-
teeper , who moved with so much of unex-
iccted case and grace , excited some atten
tion.
tion.After
After nn Interval , OB ho stood back
igalnst tbo wall to allow a couple who had
jeen following him to pass , they drew up
n front of him.
"I obey you , mademoiselle , " said the
man.
man.His
His companion , who wore a black domino ,
made a gesture of dlsmlfsal. Then oho
urned to Hallywood. "You have Teen look-
ng for mo ? " abe said , as her late partner
moved away.
"But naturally , mademoiselle , " replied
tallywrod.
"You know who I am ? "
"Not In the least. I cannot even make a
guess , though I liavo been walling to know
slnco fbls day last week. "
"It would have been easy to nsk the quoo-
lon of nay one , " nbo said , with an odd
ntonatlon.
"By no moans. There nro questions which
cannot bo asked of any nne , because tbo
answer touches too closely. " Hallywood
lulled himself up , with a sudden sense of
jelng ridiculously In earnest.
And then they were dancing.
"Yet you are not a stranger In Hevonde.
Mint' , do Sagan could have answered your
question had you cured to ask It , " tbo girl
said.
"It did not strike mo to ask her. I trusted
to the fact that , belinglng to the guard , I
must some day have the good fortune to
find you again. "
"You are patient ! "
"No , " replied Hallywood , "I am not
patient. But I know that all things como
o him who waits , I wait , "
"So I see excellently ! "
"Have I not waited long enough to hear
your name flrft from your own UPB ? " i
"Stop for a moment. " Then , Blaudlng beside -
side him the continued "Ask
, : mo to
morrow. "
"If I iitn nllvo I win ! " bo laughed.
Ho felt her baud move with a quick tremor
on his arm.
"I knew it ! Which of them has chal-
enged you , Unzlar ? " The swift question ,
cholng his own thought , took him com-
iletely by surprise.
Ho passed his arm around her , for tbe
waltz was ncarlng Its ond.
"Shall we go on ? No ; no ono has done
me tbe honor of pending me a challenge. "
"Let us have an end of this absurd
mystery ! " said the girl , Impatiently. ' 'I am
Valerie Selpdorf , and you are "
"John Hallywcod of the guard of Maasau , "
he Interposed. "I had my commission from {
you In the anteroom of the hotel du
Chancellor. But for that I should have been
moro than haft Inclined to refuse it. "
"I wish you had refused it , It may cost
you more than a man cares to pay , I
thought my father held the power to give
any commission ho pleased , but ono can
never reckon with the guard. They mean
to kill you , Captain nallywood ! I wanted
to warn you , but I think you know more , per.
haps , than I can toll you , or than you will
tell mo. What Is going to happen ? I want
to help you you must lot mo help you. "
Uallywood laughed , but perhaps his arm
drew her a llttlo closer ns they moved moro
slowly during the concluding bars of the *
waltz.
"My dear mademoiselle , I assure you that
your fears are quite groundless. I am proud
to berong to the guard of Maasau , and they
have BO far shown no intention of rejecting
me. As for the duels , If there happen to be
ono are not affairs common in Maasau7
And afterward fewer funerals take place
than ono would suppose likely ! Besides ,
M. Selpdorfs wishes cannot bo Hghlly dis
regarded in Revondo. "
"You will bo drawn Into a quarrel be
fore the night Is over. " Mademoiselle Selp
dorf stated her conviction very plainly , with
out noticing bis disclaimers.
The music ceased. Hallywood spoke onca
moro. "To prove to you bow llttlo I antici
pate anything of the sort , will you allow m
to have the last dance on the program ? "
"That Is nothing ! What can I do for
you ? " sbo exclaimed.
"Expect me ! If you would promise to cx-
poct me , I don't yet know the man who
could stop my coming to > on. "
The words were lightly epokon , but
Varerlo Selpdorf , looking up Into llally-
wood's eyes , understood that ho was likely
to bo nblo to make any words of bis good.
They were handsome eyes , rather long in
shape , frank nnd ntcndy , tbo Iris of a dense
gray bordering on hazel , ns became the sun
burnt yellow of his hair nnd mustache , nnd
at that moment they contained nn expres
sion which remained Jn Valerie's memory
as the distinctive expression of his face.
Whenever In the future ulio recalled Holly
wood , she thought of him as bo looked then.
"I will expect you , " promised Valerie.
They both knew that for tlio mornotit they
stood together at one ot thoio crossroad *
whore flfo nnd death meet , where , more
over , a look and a word convoy a mutual
revelation of character such as years of or
dinary intercourse often full to supply.
( To bo Continued. )
An Awful .Mom I'll I ,
Chicago Times-Herald : MIIdrcd--Hav
you over though that your last moment had
come ? What an awful feeling It is that
cornea over ono nt ouch a tlmo !
Oortrmlo Yes , I had that experience once
when I was out riding with a fellow nnd his
horse started to run away. It seemed as if
wo would certainly bo dashed to pieces.
Mildred And what was the first thing you
thought of when death seemed to utaro you
In tbo faro ?
Cit-rtruilo < A hole In the toe of rny left
stocking I have never since then run th
risk of being found dead in such a con
dition.
Dyspepsia Cure )
Dirjests what you eat.
Itartltk'iallyrtlKestHUiufoodnntJaids
Nature in strciiKtlicning and recon
structing tlio exhausted digestive or
gans. 11 Is the latwit discovered digest-
untanu tonic , ftuothur preparation
can approach It In ellldency. It Jn-
stantly relieves and permanently curce ,
Dyspepsia , Indigestion , Heartburn ,
Flatulence , Sour Stomach , Nausea ,
BlckneadacheGastralglaCrainpsanu ,
all otliorrcsultsof Imnerfectdlgestioa.
Prepared by E. C. DeWItt A Co. . Cblcaao.