The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-20

tive women OF whom he must have had some
thoughts during that lonely ride met and
spoke together.
Valerie. called for you to 60 with me
10 the Abenfeldts' reception, because have
q question to ask you," began Isolde ut once
when the door Of the carriage was closed.
Tho passing Tampa shone varyingly upon
their faces as they passed through the light
Cd streets, and Nine. de Sagan looked at her
companion.
Where In Capt. Raliywoodr'' che added
abruptly.
His name had not passed between them
since the interview at the blockhouse
u cannot tell You. I don't know" said
Valerie coldly.
90 my dear child. all 10 fair In love and
war! Why be 80 dreadfully cross with me
stillf"
rs IL necessary to recur to the subject At
''will you never forgive me. wonderf"
Valerie looked steadily back into the love-
" face, where the underlying spirit Of mock
cry was Transmitted into an innocent play
fulness like child's.
ION the contrary. I thank you
"why-for humb'ins himf Valerie you
Happy" Valerie could not foreso tn.
very womaniy triumph, very happy! And
you made me so.'
But" said Isolde with some perplexity,
you would have It that he did not mean
what he said"
In her heart she thought Valerie . great
gooee for making any such disclaimer. Vani-
~ has knowledge Of no tongue whereby to
interpret pride.
mo. but Il showed me what he was"
like to hear that his future wife was not
ashamed to declare her love for another
man." retorted Isolde.
y neon to tell HIM"
mo. no. Valerie, donti" exclaimed NINE.
do saGau, whose weakness exuded very often
in . sort Of kind-heartedness; Il should not
tell him. Such o confidence 10 apt to turn
sour in husbands memory, You may trust
mo- viii keep your secret valerie smiieo
scornfully.
"But / can keep secret! For instance,
I want TO hear whore Capt Hollywood Is. be.
cause know the count hates him, and also.
she nodded her head slowly. "and also our
dear friend Baron Won Blmur."
Valerie was startled.
..Barop Won Elmurf- she repeated.
20, you quite mistake the matter. the
ill-feeling has nothing to do whatever Win
you or with me. The count and Won Dlmur
hate him on very different grounds. hvery-
thing appears to interest men nowadays pus
ourselves!" she ended sadly.
because he is English, perhapsT
well, yes, II has something to do with It
You remember that last night at the CASTER
I conclude It was Jack who spoiled thear
plans when Simon and the baron went 70 tne
dukes apartments"
the count and Baron Won Elmur to-
Gether? What did they 60 forT'
The question dried up the little stream On
babble.
"How should I knowf But there was .
nRht-I'd back Jack against most people!
That is one reason liked him. we nearo
the shots. and though was horribly 1rlgnt
ened, told you none Of the particulars, yet
/ knew ALL Speak to me, valerie! "ha'
~ wa was thinking Of Capt. Rallywood," an
swered the girl at last, Offering the excuse
Isolde would be most likely to accept as true
81 did not know he had % many eneinies'
But 10 he not in RevondeT
"No he has not been at tho barracks since
Yesterday afternoon. sent him an invita-
ton You never give me credit FOR sincerity,
but am steady In my friendships. l 40 nov
mean to drop him because he talked all ina.
nonsense at Kofn Ford. You boosted about
M. Selpdorrs power-make him use 1t now
TO save Rallywood. I begin to believe that
you are really az cold as you pretend to be,
Valerie, you care 80 little! Whereas l. IN
spite Of all that has happened, would serve
him II could"
II shall see my father when return to-
night, I promise YOU
Isolde buttoned her glove thoughtfully.
you must be careful not to let him sus-
Jack" she said for that would DO merely
an additional reason for letting Rallywood-
CO."
Valerie could not misunderstand the cuphe-
mism.
Isolde: my father Is not savase'" she
Perhaps not" said Nine. de sasan sim
ply HE Is, know, Q very charming man IN
society. but my experience goes to show that
every man is savage-aa fond" Words
which embody the opinion Of more women
than one cares to number.
II was o'clock when an ofhcer OF the
guard, leaving the wind-gwept darkness Of
the country behind him, rode through the
north gate Of Revonde into the vivid black
and white perspectives Of the city, where
close outside the brilliant line OF electric
lights night herself seemed to stand incar-
nate, a Jealous intensity Of blackness.
Rallywood had picked up Unziar's relays
Of horses at certain points. and on the whole
had made good time Of the ride. Now he
crossed the bridge that lies opposite to the
gate OF the palace and mounted the curving
streets toward the Chancellerie.
He swung from his horse at the foot Of the
broad flight OF granite steps under its over
hanging portico as carriage dashed up on
the other side. The high doors above were
flung open. and a roll OF red cloth dropped
from step to step down the pavement, cou-
pie Of footmen placing It with the quick deft-
ness Of use until It reached the carriage
AS she alighted. Mile. selpdorf recognized
the tall figure in the travel stained riding
cloak.
Capt Rallywood. where have you come
FROM" she asked almost involuntarily.
AIoh thS itOutioa, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
VIII you give me your armr What has
happened? Has Major Counsellor come
back? she whispered as they went up the
steps.
He is at the ford. He has met with an
accident"
Valerie said no more but as she entered
the hall she read Rallywood's face.
Has his excellency returned" she ask
ed OF an attendant. Then place refresh
ments in the small library. Capt. Rally
wood. will Join you in a few moments.
M. selpdorf will be home very soon. He is
anxious to see you
It was a little necessary make believe
before the numerous servants How far
1t deceived them may be family guessed
when one considers any ones secrets In
relation to any ones servants.
Man designs his own game" thought
Hollywood as he followed the servant into
whose charge he was given. cor he is
forced to stand out and circumstances play
It for him. In the years all Is one"
Whichever way the issue of this nights
work turned. Nassau and Valerie must
both pass from his life for ever The one
supreme obstacle which turks always be-