THE OMAHA DAIT.T . BEE : STTITDAT , ATTGTTST 27 , 1899. n L & II. HERON. * ( Copyright , 1509 , Doublcdny & McClure Co. ) y N ) IIIIINM uf I'rrcrilltiK Cluiptcrn , Mnafau. a little duchy In Europe , which J'as maintained Its Independence because of I the jealousies of the largo surrounding 1 countries , seems about to bo swallowed up. t Germany Is represented nt Ucvonde. the ' capital , by the shrewd statesman , Karen ' von Elmur. England's Influence Is strong anil Major Counsellor's presence means much. Franco nnd Russia are also playing the diplomatic tramo. At Uie time the story opens John Rallywood , a young L-ngnsn- man , who has served seven years In tno Maasnu frontier cavalry , 1 about to resign Ills commission , when Sclpdorf. the cnnn- collor and "man of the hour1 sends tor t him nnd makes him a Gentleman of tno 1 Guard. Rullywood meets Valerie Sclpdorr , the chancellor's ) daughter. The Gentlemen of the Gunrd object to the appointment 01 1 the Englishman , Unzlar , n leader arm a ' eultor for Valerie's hand , arranges for tno C affair of h < > nor Involved , misses his sliov n.nd , with his companions. Is overcome uy the manly bonrinir of Rallywood 1110 RUM la nt the palace ball overwhelm tne young EnBllnhman with congratulations. Countess Bagnn takes a great Interest in JUllywood and Invlti * him to Castle SgRan xvlth a pnrty. Von Elmur plots with Selp behalf to disband the dorf In of Germany Guard. At the castle Valerie offends the duke. Satan , fearlnt that the women will spoil the plot , wishes to cnuae the deain of Valerie nnd his wife. Von Elmur win not consent btcauso he wishes to n"1" " ' ; Valerie , and ntlll believes he can carry out Jils plan with Selpdorf. Meantime , the Guarda , Unzlnr , Colendorp and Rallywoou , mu t bo disposed of. Von Elmur. Unzlar nnd Rallywood woo Valerie. .Countess Bngnn foresees the dancer of the young Englishman and warns him. Colendorp re fuse ; ) to be a traitor to he duke and Is murdered by Kagnn In the preseno of von Elmur. The followers of Sag-in attack the Guard In the cnatle. Rnllywood nnd un- zlar are overpowered , but Major Counsellor In dlsgulso as the duke appears nnd tno whole affair is hushed up. basnn does not dare to carry out his present plot , since Germany , Russia nnd England would know the facts. Countess Sagan nnd Valerie escape - capo denth from n pre-arranged runawai nnd Rnllywood finds them badly frightened ut n frontier fort. Here the countess at tempts to humble Valerie , but Rallywood turns the tables by declaring his love for the young girl and then hastens awny to Jlovonde before an explanation can lie made. Von Elmur and Solpdorf plan to withhold the English proposals from Maasnu. Rallywood is sent to Kofn Ford to take chnrgo of a prisoner. The un- Itnown prisoner turns out to be Major Coun- Bellor , re-turnlnrr from England. The two fellow countrymen quarrel over the ques tion of honor Involved , but Rnllywood , who , ns a good soldier , "sees no farther than the point of his sword , " places Coun- r.cllor in charge of Unzlar and hastens to Rovondc. Hero he meets Valerie and dis covers her love for him. Sclpdorr proposes ithat Rallywood , return. Counsellor's dis patches In order to save Mnasau from Oormnn Invasion. The mission means death , but Rallywood undertakes It. CIIAPTI3II XXVIII. The Arrciit. By the following evening tongues were busy In Revondo. Rumor nnd mystery and nn absence of any definite information added zest to the town talk. The broken reports were curious. Major Counsellor had fallen down the Staircase at the British legation nnd in jured his head , his ibrow being much con tused. Hla return to Rovondo was ex plained on the ground that Germany ami England had Joined forces In compelling Selpdorf to lessen the heavy taxation with which Maasau woo burdened. Count Sagan had been seen In the city with a lowering face ah , yes ! It was well known ho had a most patriotic distrust of German Interfer ence. Mmo. do Sagan had quarreled \vlth her husband because she had insisted on helplnfi Mile. Selpdorf , who was about to be married to Baron von Elmur , in the choice of her trousseau. So.mo excitement was bslng caused in the guards' barracks by the Mao of Captain Rallywood , whom Count feagan accused of using his influence un duly with his brother officers to forward the projects of Germany. Some even went so far ns to say that he wns under ftrrcst , and others were found who shook tuolr heads and laughed , professing to bo aware of a yet deeper reason for the coloucl-ln-lchlor'fl nnlmoslty against ths English captain. Out of all this chaff tbo ono grain of truth wns that Counsellor , released by Un zlar on the authority of a tclegrnnm from Rallywood , had arrived by the flrst train in the morning nnd had at once proceeded to the British legation. There ho found Rallywood waiting for him. "You have seen tbo chancellor ? " nsked Counsellor , looking linrd nt Rallywood , whcso brown face were a look ho had never seen upon It ibeforc. "Why was I released ? Am I al ready too late ? " "No , " you are not too late. You must DOO the duke nt once. Hero are your dls- patches. Goodby , major , I'll meet you presently. " "I shall not in nil probability see Duke Gustavo again. My part Is over and done with. The world , my dear John , never cues a national policy until it begins to fly. There is no credit for hatching the egg. One would nlmost think It hatched of itself. Occasionally the egg Is found to bo addled , and then the old birds make away with it in private. Uut don't go yet. How liavo you managed to keep these ? What flora it mean ? " "It means principally that you must for- Rct you have been robbed , that Elmur's game Is up and that you were mistaken in your opinion of the chancellor. " Counsellor looked hurriedly through the papers contained in the packet , "John , " Jio Bald suddenly , as ho folded up a small nheet of cypher notes , "you are nn infernal liar. " Rallywood laughed nnd his spurs jingled as ho left the room , glad to have escaped BO cheaply from Counsellor's keen observa tion. The old major went to the window and watched him ride away in the sunshine , a gallant figure in his glittering uniform , sit ting squarely on his ME bay charger. No suspicion crossed his thoughts that Ratly- tweed was probably taking hU last ride through the sunny streets , that at every stride of his high-stepping horse ho drew nearer to the final scene of all. Ho had gathered from Rallywood'H bearing that the difficulties in his path hud somehow been surmounted. Rnllywood was capable. He liad won the day by energy , or pluck , or 1 > oth , 'but ' the old diplomatist had no time nt the miomcnt to trouble his head as to the exact menus. Tbo day which had begun In n brief burst of sunshine , closed in clouds. Evening climbed sullenly up out of the bleak river. Traffic died In the streets , and the cloaked troopers patting 'hither and thither against the rising tsa became the chief objects to bo eccn aa night gathered. Rallywood stood at the sldo window of hts quarters looking out over the twinkling city. Ho seemed to have had as yet no tlmo for regret or gloomy anticipation. He had dwelt absorbed on the single fact that Valeria loved him. Ho was ready to sacrifice himself and hlo hopes with a smtlo. loiter on , in sorrow and heaviness of heart , ho accused himself 'bitterly ' of spoiling Valerie's young llfo. But ho had not reached that stage yet ; ho was lingering in the first transient period when men and women ceo visions and dream dreams , when the present Is test in the recent post , while lovo'a first spell la laid upon them , and the light that never was on land or nea binds them to the chancca and changes of common llfo. As long as the glory of it lasts a ( nan Is caught up into the seventh heaven , and the things of earth have no power over htm. But the breaking of the vision casno to Rallyiwood sufficiently quickly. Ills view of the lamp-lit city grow ouddenly blurred and ho aaw Instead his own reflection In the polished grass us the lights were turned on in the room behind him. In that same Instant , too , the vague eweot outlook faded from hit mind. Then a bond iwna laid upon hli shoulder and ho saw another figure mirrored beside his own against the dark background of the night. There was a suggestion of reluctance in Unzlar's movements. "I regret. Captain Rallywood , that t have been ordered to place you under arrest. " CHAPTER XXIX. The Conrt-Mnrtlnl. It hits been the privilege of one or two famous gardes du corps to be a law unto themselves. The guard of Maasau shares that privilege. The Inquiry or rather trial was to bo held within closed doors , and by the express order of the colonol'-ln-chiof all the officers , including those Junior to the prisoner , were to bo present. And every officer present on such occasions had tbo right to vote. The. procedure was simple. When the witnesses had been examined the accused was invited to speak in his own defense , then the senior officer summed up , and lastly the officers recorded their votes. The doors of the great mess room wore closed , for within them the court-martial was in progress. At the central table seven men with the marks of power upon tham were gathered. Above them the torn ban ners of the rcgimeut hung in the red gloom of the dome , but about the men themselves the gray-whito light of a winter day fell from the rtverward windows. It stomed to dull oven the red glow of the hangings , that cold light , which lent io the faces of these assembled a strange effect of pallor. Count Sagan , hts big chest covered with gold lace and orders , loomed at th head of the table , W llonloup and Ulm to his rlcht and left , Adiron , Unzlar , Adolf and Varanhelm seated according to tholr rank. < At the foot of the table in the * uniform of the guard , but without a sword , stood the prisoner. Ono man present was a complete stranger to Rallywood Major Ulm , who had Just re turned from leave , and whoso keen eyes set In a thin shaven face scrutinized him coldly. Behind Ulm's bald forehead dwelt most of tha sagacity and discretion of the guard. Strongly as his prejudices were ex cited he could not avoid being struck by the bearing of the prisoner. There was a cold fierceness about the men of the guard , 'but ' Rallywood stood un moved under the many hostile eyes. Ilallywood hardly heard the grave voices that dlscuesed hts fate , stirring as they did so the clogging quiet which hung with such solemn effect over the historic room. These lofty walls had never before echoed to a , similar charga or a like disgrace. The accusation was set forth in general terms. It spoke only of a certain prisoner and cer tain dispatches. Rallywood , acting under valid orders , hail taken over the dispatches from Unzlar , and next , by a faleo telegram to Unzlar , had ordered the release of a cer tain prisoner. Also he had used the dis patches to forward alms of bis own , to the Ices and detriment of the frco state of Maaeau. Anthony Unzlar gave his evidence briefly and with caution , but it was con clusive. After the charge bad been completed and proved a few minutes' silence ensued. Then Count Sngan addressed the prisoner. "Captain Rallywood , have you anything to Bay in your own defense ? " A sudden Jarring sense of amusement struck upon Rallywood. They were playing a farce ; Count Simon , with his mortal en emy , was but acting his part. The whole procedure was hollow , yet ( he , Rallywood , would have to glvo his life to provo that all this seeming was deadly earnest that the Clustering traitor opposite was not a de feated schemer , but a loyal son of Maasau ! Rallywood could not repress a quick smile. Count Simon flung his fist upon the table. "Do you hear me ? " he shouted ; "what have you to say in your own defense ? " Rallywood looked him in the eye * . "Nothing. " he eald. There was a hush. Sagan picked up the glances of the officers around him. Rally- wrod's words bad come as a shock. Most of the men expected some aittcmpt , It not at n. defense , at least at a Justification of bis conduct. Sagan's harsh voice was raised again. "His sword ! " Unzlar sprang up hurriedly. "It is in the anteroom , " he said. "I will bring it. " Sagan rose from his place as Unzlar re turned with a naked sword in his hand , The count took it and laid it on the table before him. Then standing , he addressed the court : "Gentlemen of the Guard I must thank you , in the first place , for the admirable patlenco with which you have listened to the details of the abominable crime with which the prisoner , John Rallywood , Is charged , His guilt has been proved up to thehilt by Lieutenant Unzlar's evidence , but In addition to that the accused was not ashamed to convict himself out of his own mouth. The sentence upon a traitor , as upon a mutinous soldier , Is unalterable. It Is death ! No doubt , gentlemen , we are unanimously agreed upon that , and the for mality of the ballot Is all that is loft. " BEER ARGUMENT THE DRINKING. In strength , purity and flavor The people's favorite wherever It goo. , i"M ue4 Utesi Awards-lnlirnallonal Exposition , 1098. lit Ik UI ( . VALBLATZ BREWING CO.MILWAUKEEUSA , OMAHA BRANCH 1412 DOUGLAS STREET , Telephone 1081. Th ballot 'box ' stood upon & sldo table At the upper end of the room , and beside It ft basket with a number of Ivory tails , tome black , some white. The officers went up in rotation and each with his back to the company placed a ball of the color he chose in the ballot box. The haggard daylight was fading slowly AS the men left their chairs and returned tothem In silence. Rallywood waited , not In suspense , In deed , but with the full Bonso that his fate wan being legally recorded by a jury of his fellows. It Is at such a moment as this that a man goes back to his belief In God. If there Is no God , to what end anything , These who say there Is no God Bay the world is a sad and vary evil place. If their creed were universally accepted , the last state of humanity would be worse than the first , and earth degenerate Into a hopeless and helpless hell. "Six block bills , one whites" answered Major Ulm. The prisoner's gray , frank eyes flashed out at Unzlar , but the Maosaun'a rigid face gave no sign. Then Count Sagan , secure of his enemy , lot himself go. He lifted the sword from the table , and , casting ono moro glance at the prisoner , ho placed tbo gleaming point upon the floor , tending the delicate blade , and stamping upon it midway with his booted heel. There was a shallow ring as the otecl broke , then a clash of metal as the count flung the hilt upon the point , as if the touch contaminated him. "John Rallywood , this court hat found you guilty and condemned you to die ! * And I , Count Simon Sagan , colonel-ln-chlof of the guard of Maasau , now pronounce upon you the ccnteirco of doath. Trusted by the guard , you chose to betray thorn I Where is the oath of fealty t > y which you aworo to obey ? We are polluted , by your treason ; entrance , although the soft color loft her face Instantly ns a candle flame la brown out. But Count Sagan had only five mlnutca to npnro and something to say In them. Isolde's feeble rebellion escaped him ; ho strode to her slda , and with a single glance dispersed the littlecoterlo of guests about her , the only ono who kept his position being Baron von Elmur. Sngan stood before his wife , an ovll smile on hla coarse , bearded mouth. Ho nodded nt Elmur. "I have news of Interest for both of you. " "Ah ! it is over then ? " Elmur asked nt onco. Ho discerned the count's Intention and would have averted Its fulfillment If possible. The thought that ho was nbout to mnko n wotnan unhappy never deterred Elmur from any course of action whatsoever , but ho preferred not to Bee thorn eo. Ho delighted in pretty women , and Isolde of Sagan was exceptionally pretty ; therefore , tor the sake of the next halt hour of her society ho would have spared her the tidings Jier husband's mallco designed to thrust upon her In public. Afterwords the deluge might come , but what matter ? Have wo not all our deluges In private that nubmcrgo our world In team ? "Madamo has kindly promised to assist in the tableaux vlvanta next week , " ho added hastily. | The count grinned his contempt. "You should reproduce the death of n | traitor. COBIO to sco Rallywood shot In * ho jnornlns byway of an object lesson. " 'Mine ' , do Sacan's hand flow to her throat with a quick g-asp of horror ; for n second 4Jho room seemed .to swing around , then elowly eottlo again. I MWhy , whwt has ho done ? " she asked ; her lips were dry , butehe spoke deliberately. "Nothing now , only ho happened to bo ( found out thla time. Well , au rovolr ! " "And Volerlo ? " ho questioned , seeming to count her fingers on hlo palm , "Valerie loves him eho told me o , " whispered Isolde , elnco there was no longer need to epenk louder. "And you , my dear lady ? " And It maybe bo the speech was more Impassioned be cause In bis heart ho wna damning the plc- turesqucncss of the captain of the guard. And Rnllywood ? Rally wood sat in his quarters thinking thoughts that , llko music , load sometimes on to exaltation. His earthly llfo was done , and ho looked out Into the dim beyond fearlessly. His eyes were set nnd end , for ho should ECO her face ami hoar Vnlerio's voice no moro , but ho would bo wnltlug in that somewhere for her , A mnn In the suprcmcr hours often turns again to the faiths of his childhood ; EO now Rallywood , nt the summit of his life , found himself given back all these lost dreams. Ho did not know how she came there. He heard no footstep cuter. And when ho i know , neither spoke. I There was nothing to say ; It was all i understood so well. She stood bcsldo him , | her hands In hts In a strange lull of mutual ' knowledge , "How did you come ? " he asked her at last "Anthony , " she nnswcrexl , "ho knows nil. " "How llko him ! But , " with n man's ready thought for the woman he loves , "you must not bo found here. Say goodby to me , I Vnlerlo. " "John , " she clung to him , "how can I let you go ? You are dying for Maasau for my father for mo yes , yes , I can guess all ! " "Valerlo , do you know what your love is to mo ? I need nothing more. I have not thought of what there is beyond , but when you want mo you will flnd mo waiting. " t'fK\ys' * "YOU FALSE HOUND ! " SAGAN GNASHED , HIS TDBTH UN SELPDORF'S FACE , AS THE CHANCEL/LOR THREW HIMSELF UPON HIM. we are tainted by your shame ! Are you afraid to upoak ? Is your voice frozen in your throat ? The greater part of your punishment should bo in its shame. But you cannot feel it ! You and shame are strangers the last Infamy of the base ! You are loathsome , a. mercenary false to his salt , a hound who sold himself for money flret and for disgraceful gain afterward ! How can I touch you ? Where can I prod you ? On what nerve , since the nerve or shame Is dead ? Like the grooms , ono could only punish you with a whip , I shall lay the matter before the duke. I will urge It upon ray colleagues ; " ho swept his arm round the table ; "a hundred with the whip or to run the gauntlet of the guard. That would touch you moro than words , .or shame , or death ! Ha , that reaches you ! " ho cried , and then there was a fierce exultation In the raucous volleying words , "you have disgraced the guard , but wo cannot for reasons of state publicly dls- graoo you. But you shall bo shot shot like a dog ! You shall not meet death face to face as many a bravo man has met It , but you shall be shot , cringing with your hack to the gun muzzles like the cur you are ! " Hollywood's pale features had flushed for a second. There was a brutality about Sagan's denunciations which shocked the men around , hlm , Rallywood deserved something , but'not this , not that. Uozlar's eyes burned. Wallenloupwas frowning. But Sagan swept on. Ho was a man who trampled horribly upon a fallen foe. At last "Wallonloup could bear it no longer. He roeo to his feet , and saluting the count , led the way from the room , the line closing with Rallywood between Adolf and Unzlar as guard. Left alone in the great , dim , vaulted chamber , Sagan stood upright and watched tbo door through which they had fllod out , and there came upon him a terrible mo ment , such as all uncontrolled natures must at times know. A sense of the futility of all things , a knowledge that life has lost its taste , the lildeouenres of finally battled de sire. sire.Ho hurled out hla heavy arms with a wild gesture. "Where have they gone ? Where are they , ( he strong lusts and hates and triumphs the satisfactions of tbo old days ? The world has grown puny. It is empty , empty , empty ! " CIIAPTEIl XXX. "Ulinit ( lie fireiit World' * Altnr Stnlrn. " It is a commonplace that eelnsh natures , balked of gratification , seek relief in making the unhapplnesa of others , preferably of those who are helpless to resist or to resent. Therefore Count Sagan employed the inter val before going to the palace to procure the signature of the duke to Rallywood's death-warrant in paying a flying visit to his wife , whom be had not seen since the mornIng - Ing of the boar hunt at the cattle. He found several other people calling upon Mmo. do Saganwho was not fond of solitude. Numbers cave the pretty countess courage. She took no notice of h r hutband'a , Elmur stood up and "followed " him. "Tho signature of his highness ? " he asked In a low voice. "I go to got it and other things also. I have arranged the interview with Selpdorf. " Elmur "bowed " and returned ito his place by the sldo of the countess. Isolde's blue eyes , dewey as a child's with unshed tears , ap pealed to h'lm. ' "It is not true ? " ( Elmur reflected that he had never be fore seen her look so pretty. Most women with tears In itljelr eyes repelled his fastidi ousness , but this one was delicious. Ho bent toward her and said as much with a fervor that surprised her. She smiled tremulously. She had always considered the wary Gorman worth capturing , tout 'ho wns on elusive bird. Admiration had never before got the better of his self-possenslon ; now for the first tlrao ho appeared to bo carried away by it. The keenness of conquest thrilled her. Jack ? ah , yes , poor Jack ! But ho was practically lost to her forever. She sighed a little ; she had been fond of Jack , but the love that can stand against the Inevitable was not hers. She reminded herself that Jack had preferred Valerie 'but ' , why , so had EIraur ! A temptation came to her ; eho glanced again at Elraur. Ho was personable , .though advancing to mlddlo age , and hnnd- scino as men go , though his eyes were closo-Bot and cunning. He was not like poor Jack no , flho would never find any one per haps qulto so good to look upon as Jack , with his broad shoulders and corn-colored hair , and these dear , frank eyes ! No , but "Madame , what are you tlhlnklng of ? I wish I dared flatter myself that I coulil over draw tears to these exquisite eyes. " Elmur uald again with warmth. Ho wanted excitement , and Isolde was yielding. There are women who will sacrifice the most sa cred things , God's word Itself , on the altar of their vanity. Isolde withdrew her slight hand from hla touch , but it was the with drawal that invites advance. She hesitated no longer. "There are other eyes whose tears will be bitterer than mine ; are you not Jealous of them ? I am sorry for Captain Rallywood , of course , but poop Valerie what am I saying ? " "Whatever you say interests me , " ho urged , his eyes following hers. She pouted coquettlsbly , "Yes , because I speak of Valerie. " "No , It Is because you speak ! " bo declared amorously , "Tell me of Mile. Valerie if you will , " thla as a , concession , "though you could tell me something moro interesting , " "Not moro interesting to you than this , " she xclalmed , nodding her golden head at " * * hlm"wlth 'her ' little air of foolish wlidom , "It is lucky that Captain Rallywood is Is about to furnish fin object lesson for " she raised her slender finger and laid it on her lips , mnlllnc at him , Ho looked around. They wore alone In a smaller drawing room ; It was not possible for the guests in the other saloon to see them. Ho drew the finger from her lips and pressed it to hts own. Ho would woo the truth from this beautiful fool. His word * meant one thine , Ma looks another , In the long silence life Itself might have been suspended. "When ? " said Valerie , in a sudden recol lection of anguish. "Tomorrow , " ho answered , understanding the broken question. Valerlo raised her wet oyes. "In iny llfo there can bo no tomorrow. God may not let mo die , but my life will always be ono long remembrance of today. I shall live in today always. Tomorrows are for happier women , John. And yet I am wicked to say that. I would not change my lot with any other. For have I not my memories ? And I will learn to have my hopes. And whenever that blessed day of release may como to mo , I will bring my heart to you as it is today , my king ! " Rallywood looked Into the beautiful tear- dlmmcd eyes. Ho ivas too wlso to say that ho had spoilt her life. , that had it been possible to sot the wrong right by any sacri fice ho would have done so. Of this ho said nothing. Ho only kissed her. " Next io living to bo with you , darling , I am In love with dying for you , Valerie ! " , CHAPTER XXXI. Uuko Gnntnvr , Whatever may bo said to the contrary , the fact remains that a little independent success acts on a morally weak man as a glass of wine upon a physically weak ono. For a time It exalts and quickens him. Duke Gustavo of Maasau was In a con dition of mental1 exhilaration , and experienc ing to the full tbo false sensation of strength thus created when Sagan was announced. Selpdorf , who had been listening for some minutes to his master's self-grutulatlons on the newly ratified British contract , rose as if to take his departure. "Walt , SelpUorf ! " the duke said. "My lord bos asked for a private Inter view , your highness , " Solpdorf reminded him , "Yea , but I have no private affairs to discuss * wlth my cousin. Anything that need bo eald between us is better said before a witness , " replied the duko. "How do you suppose ho will take the news of our agree ment with England ? " Selpdorf's answer was stow | n romlng , and before ho spoke Count Sagan strode into the room. Ho carried a aheaf of papers ; his Imperious temper was wont to rush every 'business ' through towhich ho put his hand. "I begged for a few moments In private with your highness , " he raid , with a glance at the minister , "Our good Selpdorf la too discreet to be considered a third , " answered the duke , blandly. "Ho knows our secrets without being told them. I'rayproceed , my lord. Is there anything I can do for you ? " "Yes , elre ; I wish to lay before you the matter I was forced to postpone at the castle. I also made use of the opportunity to bring ono or two papers relating to the guard for signature. " The duke took the papers. He was seated at a writing table , and ho glanced care lessly over them as Sagan went on. "Under your approval , these papers In clude Lieutenant Unzlar's appointment as captain , vies Colendorp " , " put In the duke , with & sharp significance. f gan frowned. Gustavo had A curious afternrss about him tonight. "Yce , poor fellow ! Wo can 111 eparo him , " he said. "Alsoo have agreed to propose Abcnfcldt as Junior subaltern. " "I have no objection , " the duke said. "As for the other subject upon which I have for some tlmo wished to spe.ik to you , sire , I am authorized to lay before your highness certain proposals " "Slop , my lord , " again interrupted the duke , "if these proposals have any reference to Von Elmur nndi his projects for the good of the state , I absolutely decline to hear thtun. What's this ? " Ho bad laM aside the upper papers after signature , And wns scanning the ono below with an expression of countenance which showed that ho Idked what ho read very little. Sagan watched htm with n deepening frown , the moro subtle Sclpdorf with curiosity. At other times it had been , the duke's custom to odd his signature to papers without a glance nt their ( contents. The destiny of ono man la thus often do- clded by the passing mood of another. "What's this about Rallywood ? " "A bad 'business ' , but your hlghnrss's sig nature makes many ft wrong right , " said Sagnn , with n clumsy attempt at pleasantry ; "it needs only that. You have the pen and ink , sire. " "But , by henven , not the will ! " cried the duke. "I will not sign 111 And It I will not , hey ? " "M. Sclpdorf will assure you that It Is nec essary In the caupo of discipline , " urged Sagan , with a lowering look. "And I will assure M. Seipdorf that 1 am accustomed to make up my own mind I You know It already , Solpdorf ! " "I have always known It , elro , " said the upple chancellor. "You will hear rny reasons1 askei Sagan , angrily. The duke nodded. "Captain Rallywood was guilty of gross disobedience of orders. His case has been laid before a court-martial of his brother officers and ho hao been condemned to be shot. The trial has been conducted with Justice. " "What * were Captain Rallywood's or ders , then ? " "He was ordered to carry certain dis patches to the chancellor , but ho carried them elsewhere for his own purposes. " The duke nodded ( lowly , and half closed hio eyes. Ho remembered a certain damp morning by the river , when Rallywood had rlddon to take orders from SeJpdorf. "So you are In this , also , Selpdorf ? " ho eald. "What dispatches wore these ? Pray tell mo frankly. I bellovo I know eomo- thlng already. " "Dispatches sent to mo from the frontier , sire. " "Which he failed to bring to you. Where then did ho take them ? " The delay and the persistent , unexpected questioning of the duke Irritated Sagan al most beyond endurance. Ho struck in. "Sire , does it matter what ho did with them , as we have proof that ho disobeyed orders ? That is the point what need to ask further ? " Then , as the duke still shook his head , too burst out : "Well , then , ho carried them to the British legation to his own countrymen , mind you. He was false to his oath as a soldier ! He must bo shot ! " Gustavo of Maasau was a man who lied much and often , as these of poor moral caliber will. Ho lied now with zest. So ? Although Captain Rallywood acted under my personal Instructions , Simon ? " ho said quietly. Sagan sprang to his feet. "Yes , " resumed the duke , warming to hlo role. "Yes. tie acted under my orders , for the dispatches were connected with the agreement I have within the last hour signed with England and about which the first pro posals were laid before me at midnight by the British envoy during my visit to your castle ! " "What ? " shouted Bacon , as his house of cards fell about him. "You lie , Gustavo ! And Germany ? Selpdorf , we hold your promises ! It is Impossible to think this to bo true ! " "It is true. " said the chancellor. "I beg you will recollect that his highness is pres ent , my lord. This excitement " Sagan stood gasping and staring. His passion seemed to choke him as ho stood , but the duke , still exalted by tbo sense of triumph and power , mistook the silence for speechless humlllmtlon. His temper rose as the other's seemed to sink. "You can deceive mo no more , ray Lord Sagan ! " fco cried in a hlch , excited voice. "You took Colendorp from mo ; you would now ( take Rallywood , one by one nil my faithful guard ! 'But ' I am a sovereign still ! You shall not tamper any longer with my loyal state ; you shall never 'brine your traitorous German schemes to an issue ! " But there were .things impossible for Count Simon of Sagan to endure. Never before had ho ibcen twitted "with " impotence and failure. Ho could not survive so utter a defeat. A man to bear these things must be less thorough than 'tho ' count. Ho was too fierce , too imperious , to bear so great a reverse. If ho must 'bo ' put to shame before the world , if oven a paltry captain of the guard were to Ibo permitted to negative his will , why then life had .best be over ! iHe seemed to struggle for speech ; at last , "without warning , Jils passion leaped into flame. Like a wild beast ho sprang across the table nt the duke the poor , sniveling coward who had dared to flay him wUh his tongue ! The old hate fired the now fury as he clutched Gustavo. The duke cave a. shrill , feeble cry , not suoh a cry ae one would have expected from a man of ( his age , nnd then Solpdorf was 'between ' them , shouting for the guard. "You false hound ! " Sagan gnashed his tooth in fiolpdorf's face as the chancellor threw himself upon him. Shouts and shots and the wild turmoil" a deadly struggle. Then rthe guard had secured Sagan. The duke stood trembling and Incoherent , leaning upon tbo table , and between them , face downward on the floor , the chancellor , with a bullet In his grain , nnd for once playing a role ho had not pre pared. Sagacious , supple , self-oeeklng , yet not utterly seared , In the last resort ho offered up hts life for the master iio had almost betrayed , CIIAPTISR XXXII. ' For 11 Spfi nn. Quecna Fain lies upon the inner edge of Lincolnshire , In an undulating countryside among great old trees , where of an evening the sun throws bars of light across the leveln of turf , where homing rooks fly In scattered lines agalncta gleaming sky , tbo air breathes coolness and peace , and the scone lays that Ineffable spell upon the heart of which only the exile can ever know the full pathetic power. Round the house tall fences of yew and holly fend off < the colder winds. On an evening in early spring Rallywood and Counsellor strolled under the shelter of a massive black wall of yew , The daffodils were blowing about the border of the lake below them , and along the distant hedges furry catkins were already nodding and floating on the crisp breeze , "I have found It necessary once or twice before to say that you were a fool , John , " said Counsellor , looking up at a corner of the great wtone-bullt mansion , its cold aspect yellowed and mellowed by tbo strengthening sunshine. "Always or on occasion ? Rallywood laughed easily. "Mostly , You will not leave the guard. If I were you I should go tomorrow. Marry the girl as Boon as she will let you and brine her here. Then sit down and shoot partridges. She will like it. It is better than Maasau. " "It Is altogether good to own the old place again , " Rallywood said , "and we'll do our duty by rfur partridge * , major , you * nd I , I hope , by-Amlby , but to do that and nothing else not yet ! " "You've stalked bigger gome And that has spoiled you , " grumbled the major. "After Count Sagan , partridge * poll. Yet It is * pity. " "I shall brlns Valerie hero sometimes , of course. I think she'll like the old place almost as much BS 1 do. " ' \More , slnco It Is tbo birthplace- home of ono John Rallywooxl , " said Counsellor with n twist of his big mustache. "You lucky , undeserving beggar ! So Solpdort'i gone. A queer compound. " "His death redeemed rauch.'V said Rally- wood shortly. "Yes , " Counsellor puffed out a great cloud of emoke , "yes , but wo have no reason to forgot the fact that ho was very ready to Bocuro himself at a heavy cost to you. " "For the sake of Maasau , " Interposed. Ilallywood. "Hum tor the sake of Maasau ! And you were aa Inconvenient personality also. Well , well , let it pass. But it was touch and go with you , John , for no ono could touvo foreseen that shaky old GUBtnvo would rise to the occasion as ho did , And what has ho done for you after all ? " "Ho paved my llfo first and gave me th * gold star of Maaeau afterwards , " said Rally- wood , "an honor which I share with come monarchs and Major Counsellor. " "Dirt cheap , too ! " grunted Counsellor. "I hear that < Mme , do Sagau sent you a very neat congratulation , "A genoux sur la terre Nous rcndons grace a Dleu , Et nous lul fnlsons vocux D'uno double prlore. " "You take your own meaning out of It , " ended the major. "And people being chiefly malicious will take the wrong one. " "That is as it may bo. But for you I hope a flno morning will follow the stormy evening. You will grow fat and selfish , John , llko many a better man. " Rnllywood milled. Ho was thinking of a certain elderly diplomat -who , rumor said , had been moved out of his usual composure on ouu occasion only. It was at the moment when ho heard that Captain Rallywood of the Maasaun guard was sentenced to bo shot. "By the way , " resumed Counsellor , "dldi I toll you that I saw Von Elmur yesterday at Charing Cross ? Ho said he was startlug for Constantinople. I bade him good-by , but ho corrected me , 'An rovolr , my dear major , ' and kissed the tips of hlo fingers to mo as the train passed. So , perhaps , the end is not yet. " "God bless the present ! " said Rallywood. And whllo they wnlk ana talk ever the past and the future In the pleasant places of England , the surf is boating around an island off the Maasaun const , upon which n Btormi stricken fortification has been adapted1 to the use of a certain political prisoner , Count Simon of Sacan. There ho frets and schemes nnd longs through the endless afternoons. Ho docs not accept his destiny no final , his hopes are unimpaired , his resolves as strong an in the old keen days at Sagan. Ho clings to a blind cou- vlctloti that Tlmo and the Man must Inovlt * ably meet together , and ho lives for that meeting. There , too , Anthony Unzlar serves his country and hla sovereign , relentlessly watchful through the dead monotony of the days. At his own urgent request he was given charge of the lonely prison , Ito soll- tudo appearing to him the ono bearable condition of life. Ho has his work to do and ho docs it well , and always between Count Sagan and his dreams stands the Irre vocable figure of the young Maasaun. Sometimes Sagan taunts him with hla hopeless love , but ho only answers by a look. And each knows that wherever ho may turn ho will find the other standing up against him the fierce Imbrutcd pris oner TV 1th his royal fearlessness and hla In tense and frigid guard. They are waiting. They have each his dream. Sagan's of empire and revenge , for ho is , after all , a splendid ruffian , untam able , gallant , a man who could never bo compelled to cry "enough" to ovll fortune. Sometimes deep in the night , whllo tha two enemies play their long games together , Sagan flings down the cards and laughs and speaks of another came which will find its conclusion in the dim paths of the future. But Unzlar only smiles. If that day should over oomo it will find him ready. But to day is not tomorrow , and "God bless tha present ! " as Rallywood said. 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