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. "
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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.
( THE END. )
The duke of Beaufort has deflnltery de
cided to have Chepstow castle put up to
auction early in October. This was ono
of the first five Norman castles built la
the reign of William the Conqueror.
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