Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-17

distinct reputation. They were said to be
a pleasant set of fellows socially, unless
one ran foul OF their prejudices, but they
were credited with good many prejudices.
As for his personal acquaintance with them.
1t was limited to acting second in a hastily
arranged duel fought out in the yard be-
hind a little country railway station.
Il should like to see a somewhat differ
ent spirit introduced and to be assured that
could always rely on the presence of at
least one cool-headed officer at the palace.
Your experience on the frontier has emf
nently fitted you for the position. To you,
therefore, will be allotted the quarters re-
served In the palace Itself for the adjutant
of the guard. May I have the pleasure of
saluting YOU as such?'
Hollywood hesitated. He foresaw certain
difficulties, but they appeared rather at
trective than otherwise at thu moment. He
threw back his shoulders, a light Of laugh
and looked into Selpdorfs face.
Il thank your exceilency."
The chanc llor understood more than met
the ear. He approached the subject deli
cately.
Then you will allow me to congratulate
you, Capt. Rallywood.'' he said, bending
forward to shake hands with his visitor in
English fashion. There may possibly be
some tri1ing difficulties at the outset. The
first step in any undertaking usually costs
something, but you will not / beg, permit
yourself to be drawn into, ahem. any shall
low quarrels. Our friends of the guard. you
pick up even careless word on the sword
point"
NJ Selpdorf paused and referred once
more to the memorandum.
There has been some small hitch about
the pay on the frontier of late?' he asked,
innocently.
"A serious hitch for the last eighteen
months or so. your exceilency," replied
hollywood, with smile that did not reach
his eyes.
Indeed? That must BE- renaiied. The
paymaster general shall have a note upon
your affair Immediately Capt. Hollywood.
Good night"
Hollywood stepped out into the windy,
frozen night, and also out of his old life
into the new. Above him the stars writ
ten In thelr vast, vague characters upon the
night-blue vault of sky, shone with a keen
!uSter below his feet, with scarce a break
IN the great circle, it seemed as if they
drew 4ther in denser clusters and set
themselves IN luminous tiers. These latter
were the lights of the city. For the Hotel
du Chancellor stands high upon one Of the
twin ridges which form thu ravine of the
river, and upon whose converging slopes
Revonde Is built Hollywood stood and
looked down upon the dip and rise OF the
terraced city with new interest. for now
it held future for him individually, q
future which must b. stirring, and might
be something more.
The eyes CT the girl whose glove he had
trodden upon still challenged him from the
starlit darkness. eyes made of starlit dark
ness themselves. He followed the broad
black line of the river between its sweeping
curves of lamps, broadening out seaward
into hazy dimness. Then as a great bell
across the water doomed out the hour he
turned his gaze to the east. in the direction
OF the sound. to where the broken bright
ness OF the crowding streets gave place to
majestic alig 1ment of light and shadow
showing the position of the ducal palace
upon the river bank Behind and above it
shone biood-red CLEAN like an angry eye:
this Hollywood knew to be the great stained
dome of the historic mess room of the
guard.
Ihen the late lieutenant Of the frontier
cavalry laughed aloud in the dark his
blood tingled in his veins. for the priceless
element of a vague. unknown danger and
excitement had entered into his life
Go be continued)