Omaha daily bee., 1899-08-20
CHAPTER XVI.

AS Rallywood galloped steadily through
the night under the shrinking moon, with
the tsa behind him and the pearl gray road
whitening away into the level distance
ahead, it happened that the two women Of
whom he must have had some thoughts
during that lonely ride met and spoke to-
gether.
valerie, I called for you to go with me
to the Abenfeldts' reception, because I have
a question to ask you" began Isolde at
once when the door Of the carriage was
closed.
The passing lamps shone varyingly upon
their faces as they passed through the
lighted streets and Nine. de Sagan looked
at her companion.
Where is Captain Rallywood7" she added
abruptly.
His name had not passed between them
since the interview at the blockhouse.
81 cannot tell you. l don't know" said
Valerie, coldly.
80, my dear child, all is fair in love and
war! Why be so dreadfully cross with me
still?"
as 1t necessary to recur to the subject
at all?"
Will you never forgive me, wouder?"
Valerie looked steadily back into the
lovely face, where the underlying spirit of
iSNhNAJ "NS lhlo al IOCtu
playfulness like a child's.
son the contrary, I thank you"
"Why-for humbling him? Valerie, you
are"
Happy" Valerie could not forego the
very womanly triumph, very happy! And
you made me So
But said Isolde with some perplexity,
you would have 1t that he did not mean
what he said"
In her heart she thought Valerie a great
goose for making any such disclaimer. Van
ity has knowledge OF no tongue whereby to
interpret pride.
"No, but 1t showed me what he was"
u wonder how Baron Won Elmur would
like to hear that his future wife was not
ashamed to declare her love for another
man" retorted Isolde.
81 mean to tell him"
mo, no, Valerie, DON'T" exclaimed Nine.
de Sagan, whose weakness exuded very
often in a sort OF kind heartedness. 81
should not tell him. Such a confidence IL
apt to turn sour in a husbands memory
You may trust mel will keep your secret"
Valerie smiled scornfully.
But / can keep a secret! For instance,
l want to hear where Captain Hollywood is,
because l know the count hates him, and
also" she nodded her head slowly, land also
u utdI IIltuu pdIOu Won lmuT
Valerie was startled.
Baron Won Elmur?" she repeated.
80, you quite mistake the matter. The
il-feeling has nothing to do whatever with
you or with me. The count and Won Elmur
hate him on very different grounds. Every
thing appears to interest men nowadays but
ourselves!" she ended sadly.
Because he is English, perhaps?"
We'll, yes, it has something to do with 1t.
You remember that last night at the castle +?
| conclude it was Jack who spoiled their
plans when Simon and the baron went To
the dukes apartments"
The count and Baron Won Elmur to-
gether? What did they go for?"
The question dried up the little stream OF
babble.
How should know? But there was a
tght-l'd back Jack against most people!
That is one reason liked him. We heard
the shots, and though / was horribly
frightened / told you none OF the particulars,
yet knew all. Speak to me, Valerie! What
are you thinking Off"
Il was thinking OF Captain Rallywood,'
answered the girl at last, offering the ex-
euse Isolde would be most likely to accept
as true Il did not know he had so many
enemies. But he is not In Reyonde?"
NO, he has not been at the barracks
since yesterday afternoon. l sent him an
invitation You never give me credit for
sincerity, but | am steady In my friendships
l do not mean to drop him because he talked
all that nonsense at Kofn Ford. You boosted
about NJ. Selpdorf's power-make him use
It now to save Hollywood. | begin 10 he
lieve that you are really as cold as YOU pre-
tend to be, Valerie, you care so littleI