THE OMAHA DALLY BJ5JUJ : SUNDAY , OULT 9 , 18Jn. ?
n modern mercenary.
1 . . .
E. & II. HERON.
S ) iKipiilx of I'rrrrillnff Chfiptcrn.
Manstui Is a little duchy in Rurope whlcfc
hnn thus far maintained Its Inde-
jiondcnco btcnuso of the Jealousies
of the largo mirrotindlnK countries
Julernatlonnl affairs nro now , now
ever , at a critical stage , and the llttlo state
seems about to ho swallowed tip. Germany
Is represented at Ilevonde. the capital , by
one of her shrewdest statesmen. Daron von
nimur. England' ) ) Influence IB felt to bo
great , and the presence of Major Counsellor
means much. It was through Counsellor
that John Hollywood , a fellow countrymau ,
had iorved seven years In the Maasau fron
tier cavalry Rallywood Is about to resign
his commission when Belpdorf. the chan
cellor and "man of the hour , " semis for him
and makes him a Gentleman of the Guard ,
During the visit to the palace Rallywood
meets Von Elmur and Valerie Sctpdorf , . the
: lianc lloi"B daughter. The Gentlemen of tnt
Guard object to the appointment of Rally-
wood , and Unr.lar one of the lenders ami n
ultor for Valerie's hand , Insists on sctlllnF
the Hffalr of honor Involved. Hollywood
cIvftB him the opportunity at the palace
hall , wins the toss , hut gives first shot to
Unzlar. Unzlar misses and Hallywood
hurrle ? tx > an engagement with Valerie for
the last dance. Wallenloup. the commari.
rtt > r , glvta Hollywood the badge of tti
Guard , an < l the palace guests overwhelmed
the younu Englishman with congratula
tions.
( Copyright. 1859. by Doubleday & McClur
Company. )
CHAJTim VII.
Otic AVommi'n Dlplomney.
There are men who , though conspicuously
In the world , are never of It. Counsellor
was one of theno. Ho gave the Impression
of being a spectator , ono -who looked on nt
the play of common ambitions and Intrigues
with an amused and Impersonal Interest. He
was drawn Into no quarrels. Those who
hated him most continued to shake hande
with him , and none could accuse him ol
being a partisan. Tot lie was rather trucu
lent than meclc , entirely ready to give hla
opinion , often with a surprising frankness ,
but maintaining throughout the complex re
lations of his life a fwporb reserve that
formed a defense behind which neither favor
nor onmlty could penetrate.
Ho stayed on at Ilevonde , though the tsa
continued to blow relentlessly. Affairs were
yet In a chaotic condition and ho lingered
grumbling at the club , declaring It was too
cold to travel , and apparently finding his
chief relaxation In privately deriding Rally-
wood for the favors which 'Rovondo ' society
was thrusting so lavishly upon him.
In the untiring whirl and tangle of court
llfo and gaiety Rallywood lived and moved
with a growing enjoyment that half sur
prised himself , and for which ho accounted
on the score of change from the full
druoJsory of thefrontier. . His acceptance
by the guard had been thorough ; oven the
colonel-ln-chlef , Count Sagan , .whoso strong
est point "was.not courtesy , ( had given him
n. pronounced recognition. The pretty
countces demanded a good deal of hlo at
tention and attendance , and this fact brought
down upon hlpn. some of Counsellor's most
scathing Jeers.
"Gallantries nro In vogue , my boy , and
you are qualifying Tor a high place among
the IMansauns , " ho eald. "S'ho ' Is a deuced
jiretty woman. I offer you my compliments. "
"She Is pretty , " replied Rallywood , "but
thcro nro a good many people In Maasau
who think her handsomer than I do. "
"Vet you toll me that you are again on
your way to her house this evening. Can't
you get through the day without a glimpse
of her ? "
"Doen It seem so bad as all that ? " asked
Rallywood reflectively. "Yes , I suppose I
llko going there ; yet , as I have Bald before ,
there arc a good many people who ap
preciate her more than I do. "
"Then what In the world takes you
'
there ? "
"Because of the other people , I suppose , "
Jio repeated dreamily.
"As for Instance ? "
Rallywood woke up from his thoughts and
shook blmeelf.
"Unzlar , " he returned with n grin.
Counsellor opened the stove and threw In
the remnant of Ma cigar.
"Ah ! " ho commented , significantly ; "and
I presume Unzlar goes there to meet you.
I begin to see. "
Rallywood laughed.
"I'm hanged If I do ! By the way , the
countess wants of nil things to make a
friend of you. She snys the English are so
reliable. But you are such an old bear
the 'women can't get nt yon. "
"So much the bettor for me , " was the
nrlm reply. Also I nm sorry I can't recipro
cate the countess' opinion of me. There
nro very few reliable women. If I had ever
found ono I might have married her. "
"That Is a hard saying , major , You've boon
unltreky. That's whore It hurts with you ! "
"No , I've no personal feeling In the mat-
tor. I share the opinion In common with
many wise men. Let mo refer you to Solo
mon , the census of whose hnrem warrants
us in believing that what ho didn't know
nboutwomen wasn't worth knowing. Yet
lie records ns his experience , 'One man
nmong a .thousand have I found ; but a
woman among all those have I not found. ' "
"I bet ho didn't ! You can't sample a
delicate quality In the bulk , " retorted Rally-
tvood , and TMIB already at the door .when an
idea stopped him. "Look here , major ; come
( with mo and revise your verdict. "
To his surprise Counsellor stood up and
asked ono more question.
"Countess Isolde luvltod me ? "
"Any nunvbor of times , as you know. "
"Tho moro fool she , " growled Counsellor.
"I'll go. "
The cotillon , danced with its hundred
vagaries , -was no fashionable at Revonde as
elsewhere. Counsellor , like a courtly boar ,
was Induced to join In Ito whimsical va
garies.
The details of the cotillon obtaining nt
tliat period do not concern us here. It Is
Bufllclcnt to say that , as a roeult of some
evolution , l > y chance or by choice Counsel
lor found himself with the countess on a
raised dais nt ono end of the room , vhtle
Mile. Solpdorf and Rallywood formed the
corresponding couple at the other end. Uo-
twcon the dance proceeded. Urns leaving the
respective couploa virtually isolated for a
few minutes ,
"It was delightful of you to come to our
llttlo party tonight , " the countess was cay-
Ing to hr companion. "Now that you liavo
come tu see mo here , can I not Induce > ou
to corno also to Sagan next wrekt Wo are
going out there for a few days. Do think
of It. "
"You nre too kind , my dear mndame , but
nn old man like myself may b out of
place. "
The countess sighed a little.
"Of course you are not at all old , " she
said , shaking her lioud at him , "though you
nro fond of playing the part. Hut If you
want to be old you can be old in good com
pany tit th * castle , for the duke will be
there you know ha is a cousin of ours. "
Counsellor looked back into the blue ,
smiling c-yea. Most men would have suc
cumbed to their Innocent flattery. To the
major they only suggested an Infinite ca-
1 ii'lty for foolishness ,
"Don't you think wo could exchange our
duke tor another , a more Interesting one * "
she added , mUlad perhaps by his look ,
"Duke Gufctav * ii to trapped up la big
stupid gambling , and altogether there in
many things " her spopoh tailed off incon
sequcntly Into a confused silence.
"Wanting ? Certainly ! Per example , wi
" said Counsellor gal
have no duchess , ,
lantly. "Wo need a pretty duchess. Bui
Is It not possible that Manmm may yet boasl
tbo most adornblo duchess In Kurope ? "
Countess Isolde started , and llUitied llk <
a pleased dhtld , and her eyes lit up an h (
laid her fan on Counsellor's stout knee wltt
a confidential , Impulsive gesture.
"But England does not like tha idea ol
pretty duchesses ? " she ventured , re
proachfully. "And you are only a flatterer -
torer , after all ! "
The major raised his bushy white aye-
brows.
"Hare I that reputation ? "
"No , they say you are terribly frank ; '
then a design to sound this difficult and
usually unapproachable diplomat came Intc
her Irrational bead. Older men than h had
been vanquished by her beauty era now
"England has not yet recognized my hus
band's claim as next heir , " she whispered
"Major Counsellor , do you think your natlo :
could over be brought to recognize me at
duchess ? "
"If the occasion arose , " answered the
wily old soldier , softly , "I do not Bee-
speaking as a man how any request ol
yours could be refused. But I cannot nn-
awor for my nation. Still , If. the occasion
arose " ho hesitated as if searching foi
words , but in reality waiting for Ills com
panion to take up the unfinished sentence.
The countcBS trembled with excitement.
This was Indeed a triumph. She , "silly
Isolde , " as old Sagan was ever ready to call
her , had gained a little bit of information
they would glvo their oars to possess , but
she would keep It and use It at her leisure.
Meanwhile she , must strike while the iron
of old Counsellor's nature was yet hot.
"But the occasion will arise- , believe me !
Perhaps soon at Sagan ! " As she spoke sha
started violently , and her face turned white
as Count Sagan stood before them.
"Do you feel Inclined for a hand at whist.
Counsellor ? " ho asked , abruptly , -with a
wrathful , questioning glance at his wife ,
"lias my wife been boring you -with her
chatter ? "
"On the contrary , Major Counsellor has
promised to join us at the castU next
week , " exclaimed his wife.
Sagan's [ bloodshot eyes darkened. Ho had
the guile of a plotter , but Locked something
of the self-control. Counsellorwho ap
peared to be watching the dancers , turned
upon this and added :
"And I have been thanking Mme. de
Sagan for the invitation. "
"Ah , I knew you wouldn't come ! Well ,
you will lose nothing. We shall
have a houseful of fools. " Interrupted the
count roughly.
"I have already accepted and will with
your permission , count , be one of the fools , "
replied Counsellor , genially.
The countess understood she had in some
way put her loot Jn it , but as the men
walked away together she nodded com
placently to herself , with the words , "I
know what I know ! "
The tldo of dancers still swept backward
and forward as Mme. de Sagan idly ob
served them , until her glance chanced to
fall upon the opposite couple at the further
end of the saloon. Something in Valerie's
air flxed her iwanderlne attention at once
with a little shock. What -was Hollywood
saylnc to her ? And where was Anthony
Unzlar ? The Countess Isolde had to the full
the all-devourinc vanity of her type , but
now. for once In her life , she felt desirous
of forwarding a love affair that was nether
her own.
"You nro colng to Sagan , of course ? "
Valerie had Bald to her partner , as they
stood tocether.
"I think not. " Rallywood replied.
"I thought you would be sure to be In at
tendance" she glanced carelessly toward
the dais , where the countess was at that
moment laying her fan on Counsellor's knee
"ns usual. "
"No , Unzlar Is the lucky man , " Rally-
wood answered , without significance In his
tone.
"Nonsense ! Anthony is her cousin ! " said
the elrl Impatiently.
Rallywood's gray eyes were on her face.
"Whose cousin ? What do you mean ? " he
asked , innocently.
Valerie bit her lip. She hated this Eng
lishman. Of all her acquaintances he alone ,
In his blundering way , was able to put her ,
somehow , at a disadvantage.
"When the duke goes to Sagan , " she Bald ,
without noticing his question , "tho count
has the privilege , as colonel-ln-chief of the
guard , of inviting any two officers ho
pleases to act -with the escort. So wo shall
BCO. "
"I wonder , " said Rallywood , nftcr n pause ,
"whore you get your impressions ,
mademoiselle ? "
"I see llko other people. We all form our
judgments on what we see and know ! "
"What do you know , for instance ? "
"I heard of you when you wcro at Kofn
Ford , near the castle of Sagan , " she an
swered.
Rallywood was only human , and , how
ever moderately he may have returned Mme ,
Sagan's preference , he was fully aware of Its
existence. In those days on the frontier he
had , rather from fastidiousness than
principle , perhaps , avoided her and her in
vitations whenever possible. But that was
ono thing , it was another to hear the matter
coolly alluded to by the girl beside him.
Involuntarily ho drew a little away from
her. HU notions were founded less on
actual knowledge and experience of women
for of that he had little than gathered
from that Idealized version of the sex with
which the right-minded male animal Is
usually furnished by his own mental and
emotional processes. So far his Intercourse
with Isolde of Sagnn had been limited to
certain sentimental passages * the Initiative
lay with the woman , but Ralrywood had
once or twice been distinctly wrought upon
by the appeals to his sympathy and pity.
Now , however , looked at from a fresh
standpoint , the one , In fact , from which
Valerie viewed it , the subject became sud
denly repellent , and he slid away from the
discussion ,
"You are glad to como to Sagan ? " per
sisted his companion ; "say you are glad. "
" 1'vo never been more glad of anything in
my life ! " Rallywood replied with truth , and
then , his good aneel rather than his mother
wit coming to his rescue , he got away from
the dancing saloon , and found Counsellor at
the entrance preparing- leave ,
"I'll walk round with you , major , " he
proposed ,
"I'm not going your way , " replied
Counsellor. "Besides , I wish to drive.
Hullo , you have got hold of my gloves ! " and
snatching at the gloves which happened to
be Rallywood's he thrust his own Into the
young man's band , saying in a low voice as
bo did so : "Be on the Cloister bridge In
half an hour. Oood-nlght ! "
At the appointed time Rallywood. having
replaced his military great-coat by one less
remarkable , was waiting on tbo'bridge , when
he was accosted by a hunchbacked fellow
in a shabby Maosaun sheepskin , who dropped
a rough GngUnh "Good night" as he passed.
Prrsnntly Rnllywood followed him until
they came out into an open country road
where the biting tsa met thorn full faco.
"This tsa Is deadly ! Quiokl What Is It
you have to tell me ? " said Counsellor's
tolco. "
IRallywood answered in a few rapid sen
tences.
"Yes , 1 fancied something of the kind was
due. What an Inestimable blessing It is
that such women as the Countess Sagan
exist to satisfy diplomatic curiosity. Wo
must find out the precise limits of the Gor
man game at the cnstlo of Sagnn. It Is
lucky for you , John , my eon , that your
duty as a Maasaun soldier to the Maasaun
nation and as nn Englishman to your own
run in this Instance on the same lines. "
"Thoy always will. "
"Don't bo too sure of thatl There may
como a day when your public and your
private honor will stand face to face , hope
lessly irreconcilable. What then ? "
"When anything eo extremely awkward
comes to pass I suppose I shall have to
make up my mind on the subject , " replied
Rally-wood with a lazy yawn. "In the mean
time it is too much trouble. Just at pres
ent my part Is simple and I look for the
game to turn In our favor. "
Counsellor stood still , as if In considera
tion , for a minute.
"Tho stake may seem to be a Email ono
Just this Ufioloss scrap of country , " ho said
at length , "but the issues are far-reaching
and therefore all Europe is taking a hand In
the came. How wllljt end ? I don't know.
The fates shuffle and men handle the cards ,
but God cuts ! Thirty years' experience has
taught me that. I didn't believe it once
I do now. "
CHAPTER
A Question of the Gnnril.
The really great strategist Is not the man
who loves an intricate plot. His method
is staple he eliminates.
On a certain cold morning , when the sun
shone plnkly through a sea haze over the
glittering roofs of Rovondc , a review of the
guard , and of a 'few regiments that hap
pened to be stationed -within a short dls-
tunco of thn capital , was to bo hold , In
honor of the duke's birthday , on the spa-
clous parade ground -of the guard , which
occupied the whole of a small plateau lying
high between the beetling hills behind the
barraoks.
Baxon von Elmur paid an early visit to
the chancellor on his way to the review , nnd
found M. Selpdorf , though brisk nnd urbane
as over , a llttlo difficult.
"We do not progress , monsieur , " Elmur
was saying.
"What would you , my dear baron ? Wo
have so many obstacles in our path , " an-
sworcd the ether , shrugging his shoulders
good-humoredly.
Elmur loaned his elbow on the table ,
"I know that delay can conduce to no
good end , " he said. "You have agreed that
u certain course Is desirable no less for
your country than mine. "
"Have I agreed to that proposition ? Not
altogether ! Remember , I cannot be ex
pected to see with Gorman eyes. "
"Even to the most patriotic Mansaun It
must be evident that sooner or later the
state must fall to us. It is merely a ques
tion of time. "
"The time has already been long , " said
the chancellor , softly ,
"For an excellent reason ; because we
have not always been , as now , a huge bulk.
The bulk of the new empire must by force
of gravitation attract all the smaller bodies
round it to Itself. It Is by a miracle only
that Maasau has stood alone so long. "
"And by another miracle she might go on
standing alone a llttlo longer , "
"This Is not the ago of miracles , my
friend ! "
"I remember also something which your
excellency forgets , " eald Selpdorf , with a
touch of sadness in his voice , "that there
have been Selpdorfs helping in this miracle
of the Independence of Maasau for genera
tions. "
Elmur altered his attitude with open Im
patience.
"You are a far-sighted patriot , mon
sieur. It is needle-fa to repeat that if
Maanau joins tha confederation of the etn-
plie by her own act she will do so on very
different terms to any which could pos
sibly be conceded to a state tihat had forced
necessity of
upon ua the unpleasant
coercion. Remember Frankfurtl She paid
for her otwtlnacy. Whereas wo are pre
pared to deal generously toward those who
cast in their lot with oun. Besides , " ho
added significantly , "I am urging you to
consult not only the Interests of Maasau ,
but your own alee , "
"They are the same , and it is difficult
to know where our true Interest lies , " said
Selpdorf. thoughtfully. "Do you go to the
castle of Sagan next week ? "
The abrupt change of subject see-med to
have Its effect upon Elmur , He turned
away from the table , crossed his legs and
lit n cigarette in a leisurely manner before
he answered.
"You , and you , monnleur ? "
" 1 have uo Inclination for the e safeties ;
but my daughter go g. " Von Klmur eliot a
glance nt his companion ,
"To repeat my own words we do not
progress , my dear Selpdorf. "
"So ? Women finesse In those affairs ,
Valerlo follows the custom of 'her sex , nnd
perhaps she has become n little spoiled by
overmuch admiration. Wcro she aware of
your wishes , It would solve many of tbo
present doubts. "
"It takes two to make that especial kind
of bargain , " said Elmur , with a curious
smile , "ono to ask. the other to grant. 1
am prepared to nak when I am assured that
my request will bo favorably received. An
ambassador is esteemed In Just the same
degree ns the country ho represents. If
his country triumphs , he triumphs also. "
"In.this case 1 might point out that
your personal success , " the chancellor said
airily , "would bo the best , shall I eay the
only possible , preliminary to the success of
the mission with which his Imperial majesty
has charged you. "
Elmur drew In his lips slightly. Val
erie , ns the Baroness von Elmur , was to bo
her father's guaranty for the future ! Al
though Elmur's desires lay In the same
direction , Selpdorfs Insistence was most
unpalatable to the German minister.
"I am ready to lay myself at mademoiselle's
foot , " ho said aloud , "but there Is always
the picturesque young captain of the guard. "
"Unzlar ? 1 can positively reassure your
excellency on that point. "
. \ <
"HR TURNED AWAY FROM THE 1 ABLE. CROSSED HIS LEGS AND LIT A C IGARETE IN A LEISURELY MANNER. "
"Unzlar ? No ! The Englishman Rally-
wood. "
" 'Rallywood ? " eald the chancellor in very
real surprise , "whafof him ? "
"Nothing , beyond the fact that he has an
aptitude for challenging fate. Such men
dazzle the eyes , and are consequently apt
to be dangerous. Why has he been placed
in the guard ? " ,
"I placed him there to serve our mutual
convenience , " replied Solpdorf. "Ho is an
Englishman , with his full share of English
Intolerance and courage. On the other
hand , the guard resent the Intrusion of for
eigners , neither are they mild-mannered. "
Elmur considered.
"Tho chances wcro In favor of trouble cer
tainly. Had there been trouble Rallywood
might have disposed of some of our chief
difficulties for us , " he remarked , with a
cynical smile.
"Ho might also have boon disposed of him
self , " said Selpdorf , "and ho is the one
human being for whom the good Counsellor
has the slightest regard. In politics It Is
necessary to consider the personal equation.
To touch Counsellor in his -weakest point
would have been to alienate England at
the convenient moment. "
"All that might have been true" Elmur
shrugged his shoulders ; "unluckily we must
face things as they actually are. "
"Even now Rallywood has his uses. The
guard is composed of the flower of our no
bility they are not to bo tempted. At least
that Is my opinion , although I bellovo
Count Sagan holds differently. But this
Rallywood Is n , soldier of fortune , a mer
cenary. You perceive ? "
Elmur etrokcd his chin dubiously.
"I am very much afraid ho belongs to
the wrong breed. However , I would wish
to point out that It will bo essential to
carry through this. matter quickly.
If the duke can be persuaded to
accept the sohcmo of reversion , the
whole arrangement would bo completed be
fore the world was the wiser. "
"It Is the simplest plan , and therefore the
best. But what will England ay ? Counsellor
is here , that in Itself speaks. "
"Neither England nor the good Counsellor
can touch nn accomplished fact. As they
say In their own idiom : 'Possession Is nlno
parts of the law. ' It remains with us to
make the fact. "
Selpdorf. rose.
"Your excellency wilt excuse me. It Is
time to start for the palace. Today his high
ness , the duke , holds a review of the guard
1 will It possible sound him on the subjecl
which Interests us both. Should that fall ,
wo must consider the alternative scheme. "
Half an hour later the two men met ngaln
as they dismounted in the court yard of the
palace. They approached each other
courteously.
'There stands the real obstacles to our
success , " said Elmur In a low tone.
Selpdorf followed the German minister's
glance. Standing there , in the firelight of
the guard room , was the tall figure of
Anthony Unzlar , waiting with haughty stiff
ness for the appearance of the duke.
"His highness , gentlemen , the Maasaun
guard , " went on Elmur with a bitter sneer ,
"tho impersonation of an arrogant mili
tarism ! "
"Seven to bo counted with , " corrected
Selpdorf gently. "The other , the eighth "
"Has the initial fault of nationality. How
ever , he goes to Sagan. "
The mist cleared as the sun rose higher ,
until by noon the sky was of a pnle radiant
blue , larcd with a delicate broid
ery of white wind-scattered clouds. Look
ing westward the dark river wound away to
the sea , ringed hero and there by the highly
decorated bridges of light-toned granite
peculiar to Mftasau. Rovonde. in the sun
shine , shoneIn the colors of a moss-growr
stone , gray nnd green , the t ln ridges ot
which It etood trotted and embossed to thcti
summits with the palaces and pinnacles
the spires and towers and gardens of th <
spreading city. The grand duke , ns thoj
rounded the mounting road to the parad (
ground , looked back upon Rovondo with t
lingeringglance. . Sclpdorfho was scate <
opposite to him , had been replying to hli
grumbling questions ns to the condition ol
the royal exchequer with a depressing ac
count of the hopelessncs sof the situation.
"Rovonde Is n Jewel nftcr .Mil" said th (
duke suddenly ; "n Jewel can always be
mortgaged , Selpdorf. "
Selpdorf admitted that this wns true and
also hinted that -tho Jewel had been used
iu one way or another pretty freely to
raise the revenues for a good many years ,
without giving miuch In the way of n
quid pro quo , beyond the vague hopes nntl
nlry promises which pledged the Maasaun
government to llttlo or nothing. But now ,
ho explained , the powers were growing
weary of so unprofitable a speculation nnd
were Inclined to expect some definite return -
turn for their nsslstnnco.
The duke listened moodily , lying back
on his cushions , a thln-leggod , paunchy
figure , whoso features had lost their shapely
mold under the touch ot dissipation. The
nose hung long and fleshy between the
pouched akin of the cheekbones , the eyes
showed a tell-tale slackness In the under
eyelid , where It merged Into the loose
wrinkles below. The lower pnrt of the face
was covered by a long hut sparse mustache ,
through -which attimes could bo discerned
that terrrlblo protrusion of the upper Up
that seems the herald ot senility. Yet
Gustavo , grand duke ot Maasau , was only
that day celebrating the completion of his
67th year.
When the carriage attained the level of
the plateau the main road curved away In
land to the right , whllo upon the left hand ,
under the waif of encircling brown cliffs , a
small brigade of all arms wns assembled to
do honor to their ruler. Through a cut In
the hills , for away , but seemingly nearer on
that windy morning , could bo seen a blue open
bay , blown Into the "Innumerable laughter
ot the sea. " The air , the whole scene , was
Inspiring , but the duke looked heavily on as
the troops deployed nnd turned , their arms
glittering In the sunlight.
First in order came a couple of squadrons
of the fiontler cavalry , with their black
sheepskins hanging behind them ; then In
fantry , followed by two batteries of artillery
divided by some more cavalry , and , after a
distinct Interval , the guard.
The little army was perfect In equipment
and finish , and their uniforms were bril
liant and picturesque , but the duke started
out upon the amphitheater of the parade
ground with dissatisfaction and cnntil.
Money , ho wanted money , and the less the
chancellor could encourage him to hope for
It the moro ho desired to have It , by hook or
by crook.
The grand marshal of Maasau having been
dismissed from tbo side of the royal1 carriage
with a few curt words , the duke spoke ngain
In a low tone to Selpdorf.
"Then you wish nio to.understand that
there is no more to bo got out of anybody.
I know better than that. England , Germany
nnd Russia are waiting to outbid each other. "
"That is true , sire ; but they will not deal
on the old terms. "
The guard , with scattered pennons flying ,
were drawn up at the lower end of the parade
ground. The chief effect of the day was
about to take place the charge of the guard.
"I am now of an age , " remarked the duke
peevishly , ' 'when my birthdays have ceased
to bo a cause for congratulation. This re
view is an anachronism. In my father's time
I rode at the head of the guard , and led a
charge on the day I was 18. Pish ! I have
grown wiser , and know how to enjoy life
after a more rational fashion. To return to
our other subject What do they want ? "
Solpdorf smiled , nnd passed his fingers
upwards over the erect corners of his mous
tache.
"For example , there is a power that might
pay a heavy annual sum If your highness
would consent to disband your guard ! " ho
said , with a tentative smile.
The slack fallen lines of the duke's visage
grew suddenly tense. His eyes brightened
as the tossing mass in green and gold swept
down toward them in a thunder of hoofs ,
and the long-drawn shout of "Maasau/ "
with which the guard have charged home
on so many a battlefield.
As the splendid ranks of horsemen
crashed past under a flashing play of sa
luting swords , the duke pulled himself erect
in his carriage and raised his gloved hand
in acknowledgment with a strong fling ot
enthusiasm that recalled to men present
other and better days.
Selpdorf's brow lost Its round smoothness
for a short moment , but cleared again be
fore the duke dropped back with a groan
into his seat.
"Disband the guard ? What traitor sug
gested that ? May the guard shoot mo flrst !
I'd rather rot of starvation than consent to
It ! For with the guard is bound up the
freedom of Maasau ! "
Presently ho turned upon the chancellor
with a glooming and suspicious gaze.
"Has Sagan been tampering with you ? "
ho asked , with a sneer. "If ho tempted
you now it would only bo to betray you
Inter ! Ho hankers after 'Mn.iMti. ' but re
member my cousin In Knglnml. Ho hM
claims which cannot bo overridden. "
Selpdorf remained respectfully silent fern
n short tlmo , revolving the extremely
v
portant admission vlth regard to the second
claimant to the heritage of the duchy , which. .
the duke in his excitement hnd made. r
The flrst nnd simpler plan of persuadm ?
the iluko to enter Into nil understanding
ulth Germany , to the effect that she should
enjoy the reversion of 'Mansnu ' In exehnngs
for the payment ot n secured annuity , was
plainly hopeless. It now remained to put
In train the second scheme , which contained
elements of infinitely greater danger.
Human nntuto is n complex thing , yet J
each man's nttltude of mind toward himself ' \
IA often only nn extension ot his attitude
of mind toward his neighbor.
What the chancellor said to himself \o \
whitewash his conduct In his own PJOS. who
can tell ? The duke , old vice-sodden repro-
1mto as ho was , hnd that one remnant ot
mnnhood left , n determination to face the
last and most absolute contingency of llfo
rather than sell his country.
Perhaps Sclpdorf used that moit guilty
of all excuses If 1 do not put my hand to
this thing some ono else will. Maasau must
f.ill sooner or Inter to FOIIIO larger power.
May not 1 profit by it na well ns another ?
Did he set his house of excuse upon the
sand of n certain hitter writing ? " 1 will
persuade them , " sold Satan "I will make
them two Idols , whloh they shall call honor
and fidelity , nnd n law whlfh shall bo eailed
pnsslvo obedience. And they fhnll worship
these Idols ! " If honor , fidelity and obcdl-
cnco be Idols , where , then , are the true sods ?
( To bo Continued. )
1'or llnil ,
redness nnd roughness of the skin , yellow ,
oily , mothy skin , red , rough hands nnd
shapeless nails dry , thin falling linlr , dand
ruff and Irritated scalps nnd nlmplo bnby
blemishes. Cutlcura Soap Is truly wonderful.
Because ot Its ilclleato emolloiit properties
derived from Ciitlcum , the great HUln euro
mid purest cmolleiits , It Is the most soothing ,
cooling nnd purifying application for sum
mer rashes , tan. sunburn , dialings , inflam
mations undue or offensive persperntlon nnd
ninny other sanative uses , ns well ns the
purest mid sweetest ot toilet b.ith nnd
nursery soaps.
OUT OH1 TIII3 OliniXAUY.
Porice cost Now York $11,707,036 a rear.
Undo Sam has -150,000,000 acres of forest.
India imported 2,853,298 gallons of beer la
J Oi'Ql '
'More ' herrings are eaten than any ether
kind of llsii.
The now stnblcs of the emperor of Germany -
many are to cost nbout ? L',000,000.
Till recently the employment of electricity
hi any shape or form in Constantinople was
strictly forbidden. Incredible ns It may ap
pear , the sultan nalvttfy Imagined ti-at n dynamo
name must have something to do with the '
manufacture of dynamite. y
It has been found in Na-v York that for
every 1,000 births children baar the com
moner names iu this ratio : Mary es , Wil
liam CO , John 62 , Ull/.a 01 , Thomas 3 ! ) ,
George 30 , Sarah 30 , Anne : ! 3 , James 31 ,
Charles 23 , Henry .81. Alice 1 , Joseph 18 ,
Samuel' 17 , Helen 10.
The horsehair used In making violin nnd
other similar bows 's imported from Ger
many. A hank of the best white hair can ba
bought for 20 cents ; it might cost 30 cents
more to have It put Into a bow. To rapalr a
bass viol bow costs more , the bulk of hair
roquliod being grcawr.
Few ct the million pass'-ngers or morn
who make their dally journey In a Londou
'bus or struct car know that the homes
\\hlch draw them are neatly always Ameri
can or Canadian. Great Britain , the "liorol-
est" country in the world , buys more than
20,000 horses flora the Uiii'cd States every
jenr.
The New York Druggists' League for
Shorter Hours is distributing cards contain
ing a list of "sanitary drug stores" in Man
hattan and Brooklyn , nnd also the league's
definition of n "drug store sweathouso. " It
describes sanitary drug stores as "not soli-
Ing liquor to their customers , opiates to drug
[ lends , poison to would-bo suicides , dis
guised intoxicants to the unwary , cigarettes
to boys or adulterated candy to children. "
The first interment in the now dog ceme
tery recently opened in. Paris has just taken
place to the dcilght and financial bottcrment
3f all the space writers on the Paris papers.
The corpse was laid out on n sofa in a cofllu
vt the house of its mistress and all its living
; omrades gathered around it. The mourning
was opened somewhat suddenly by a llttlo
terrier which set UD a doleful howl in which
: ho remaining pets joined. Then the line
af inarch was taken UD to the cemetery.
The crowds of people who are visiting the
stranded Biteamshln Paris some of them
: omlng from distant points in England nnd
Franco are , so great that the sailors and
Ishormcn of the Cornwall const are getting \
ich. BlcycJIsU to the number of 1,000 I
cached St. Martin on a recent Sunday and *
lotel keepers nnd restaurant proprietors are
ilso reaping a harvest. Ono fisherman made
> 20 in n single day by taking passengers
iround the wreck at 62 cents a head.
Eugene Bmzeo of Geneva , N. V. . who was
itruck on the side of the head by a falling
imber last April and appeared at the time
o have ebcaped serious injury , has been los. S.
ng his memory over since until ho had \
Innlly forgotten his name and the common- *
ist words. Then ho lost the power of speech
md his right sldo became paralyzed. All
his has now boon remedied by an operation
in the skull. The potlont's memory nnd
> ewer of speech have returned to him nnd
10 Is making rapid progress to a complete
ecovory.
Good For Little Fol
Children are particularly liable to bowel troubles in the summer time. The best
preventive of summer complaint , diarrhoea , dysentery , is to keep the bowels open
gently. The delicate tissues of a child's intestines should never be abused by the
use of violent purges. The only liver and bowel regulator fit to be used by children
is the ideal laxative and intestinal tonic , CASCARETS Candy Cathartic.
voice Worcester Gazette.
I shall never bo without CASCARETS. My
children ore always delighted when I give them
a portion ot a tablet , and cry for more. They
are tbe most pleasant mcdlclno I have ever
tried. They bavo found a permanent place la
, . . , .
my borne Mus. JOHN n.AOEr
Box 30. Michigan City , Ind.
The nrchJte' ' * and his friend
h - Hpr WP- " ' "Intr l " "lf to
ANNUAL SALES. 5.OOO.OOO BOXES.
THIS IS lOc.
25c. 50c.
THE TABLET DRUGGISTS
CASCARETS are absolutely harmleii , a purely vegttablg compound. Ho mercurial or other mineral pill-poteon In Caiearett. Cascareti promptly , effectively and permanently
cure every disorder of the Stomach , Liver and Inteitines , They not only cure conitipatloa , bat correct any and every form ol irregularity of the bo well , including dlarrboa and dyientery.
Pleasant , palatable , potent. Tatte good , do good , Never ilcken , weaken or gripe. Be ture you get the genuine ! Beware of imitations and tulitltutei I Buy a box of CASCARETS
to-day , and if not pleated in every respect , get your money back I Write ui for booklet and free ( ample I Addren STERLING HEMBDT COMPANY , CHICAGO or NEW YOKE ,
770