The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-09
CHAPTER VII.
ONE woMAS's DIPLOMACY.

,pNator one who looked on at the play OF
somnon ambitions and ntrigues with an
amused and lmpersonal interest. He was
braEn into no drarreIs. Those who hated him
most continued to shake hands with him. and
none could accuse him OF being u partisan.
Y. lie was rather truculcnt than meek en-
trev ready to give his opinion. often with
rurrrsing frankness, hut Observation-Disclosures
out the complex relations Of his life n superb
1e..rro that formed defence behind which
neither favor nor enmity could penetrate.
lie stayed on at RevonGe. though the tea
continued TO blow relentlessly. Affairs were
yet ID n chaotic condition. and he fingered
.rulnhlng Mt the club declaring it wa; too cold
70 travel. and apparently finding his chief re-
laxati,n in privately deriding Hollywood for
tie iavors which Revonde society was thrust
A. sollavishly Iron him.
1 In tie untirng whir. and tangle OF court
! l,ie and Gavety Railywood lived and moved
with growing enjoyment that half surprised
himself. and for which he accounted on the
score OF change from the dull drudgery Of the
frontier. His acceptance by the Guard had
been thorough: even the Coloncl-in- Chief.
| Count Sngau. whose strongest roint was not
courtesy. had given him pronounced recogni-
ton. The pretty Countess demanded n good
deal Of his attention and attendance. and this
fact brought down upon him some OF Counsel.
Tors most sca,hing Ieers.
"Galantries are in vogue my boy. and you
are qualifying for high place among the
z Maasauns." ne said. she is deuced pretty
Z woman. | offer you my compliments"
She Is pretty" replied HallYwood. but
there are q good many people in Nassau who
think her handsomer than I do
Yet you tell me TINT YOU are again on your
wav 10 her house this evening. Can't YOU Eet
through the day without glimpse OF herr
I-Aa bal Ii H1nN9 bal
lakewood refectiyely. Yes. ! suppose like
going there: yet as have said before. there
are good many people who appreciate her
more than do"
Then what in the world taxes you there?'
An old expression grew slowly ito the Young
mans face.
Because Of the other people, 1 SUPPOSE"
be repeated dreamily.
As for Instance"
hollywood woke up from his thoughts and
shook himself
"Unalar." he returned with grin.
Counsellor opened the stove and threw IN
the remnant OF his cigar.
Al" he commented Significantly; and
presume Unfair goes there to meet you. I
tegir TO sec"
Ea!lywood laughed.
Tn hanged II I do! BY the way. the
Countess wants OF all things to make friend
Of You She says the English are 30 reliable
ia, you are such an old bear the women can't
GET at YOU
- much the better for mo-" was the grim
repv, Also. ! ana 'orry that can't recipro-
cae the Countess uiinion Of mo. There are
YER 'eE reliable mon. |! had ever found
or might have 0ricd her"
That is a hard saving. Major. You've been
ut'ucky That's where il hurts with YOU"
NO, I've no personal feeling in the matter.
share tine opinion in common with many
wise men. Let me refer YOU to solomon. the
Y census u whose harem warrants us in belieS-
In That what he didn't know about women
wasn't worth knowing Yet he records as
h., experience. One man among thousand
2>aAn'e found; hut n woman among all these
have not found.
y te' he didn't. lou can't sample a deli
cate quality in the bulk" ratorted Hollywood,
ell was already n. the door when an idea
stopIet him. Look here Major: come with
In" ant revise your verdict"
70 his surprise Counsellor stood up and
l'N.l ono moro question.
countess .solue invited mc?'
Any number Of times. as tou know"
The moro foo! She" growled Counsellor.
I'll 20"
The cotlllon. danced with its hundred vaga-
res was as fashionable at Revonde as else
Whsr. Counsellor. like a courtlv bear. was
fducet to oin in its whimsical vagaries.
The details Of the coton obtaining a: that
Iertol IN not concern us here. 1t is sufficient
10 sar that Ms a result Of some evolution. by
Glance or by CHOICE Counsellor found himself
with the Countess on n raised dais at one end
o. lie room. while Mile. Selpdorf and Rally
wood iormed the corresponding couple at the
Other end. Between. the dance proceeded.
mus leaving the respective couples virtually
"15tei FOR a few minutes.
Twas delightful OF you to come TO our little
p"F'J to. night" the Countess was saying tc
hE~mpanton. Now that you have como to
scene here can / not induce you to come
h''o 10 Sagan next week? We are going out
| 'herr Tor few days. Do think oft"
80 Nlr re too kind. my dear madame. but ar
Old tina. like myself may be out OF place"
The .)untess sighed n little.
20: urse you are not at ali Old" she said
shaking her head Mt him. though YOU are
fond playing the part. Bat II you want tt
be old ~ can be old in good company at the
casdc, Or the Duke will be there you know hi
il "o.,in OF ours"
Councillor looked back into the blue. smi
ing EYES Most men would have succumbed tI
Their iunocen. fattcry. To the Major thel
onIy ..sSested an infinite capacity FOR folly.
Don. you think We could exchange on
Duke Or another. a more interesting oneF
she altc1 mised perhaps BY his look. "Duk'
Gustae Is 80 wrapped up In his stupt'
gamC'lg. and altogether there are man!
things her speech tailed OF incense
Guen'J into Il confused silence.
rnting? Certainly! For example. W
have no Duchess" said Counsellor gaIlantlr
Ne need pretty Duchess. But Is 1t no
sSlu.e that Nassau may yet boast the mos
adorable Duchess In Europe?"
C'ILtess Is 1lde started and flushed Ike
Ceased ,hi!d. AID her eyes lit up as she lat
her i'n on Councillors stout knee with conn
deA' /, Impulsivc gesture.
lH' England does not like the idea OF preu
y pHch "-a?" she ventured, reproachiully
org are only a 'latteror after all ~
"a MAJOR raised his hushy white eyebrows
riHe,l Tint reputation"
II, ma Iay you are terribly frank. The
II Evruund his hlil'u!t and usually un
rrWM! 'dtrlom4t came into her iran on1
pn.ul men than he had cen van
c. w. Vl-r beauty ere now. tnGlan
1 - t,. ~ one, 'uguIzcd my husband r claim q,
,.l,i IL