Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-09

peculiar TO Nassau. Revonde. in the sun
shine. shone in the colors OF a moss grown
stone, gray and green, the twin ridges on
which it stood fretted and embossed TO their
SUBMITS with the palaces and pinnacles,
the spires and towers and gardens OF the
spreading city. The grand duke, as they
rounded the mounting road to the parade
ground, looked back upon Revonde with a
lingering glance. Selpdori, who was seated
opposite to him, had been replying to his
grumbling questions as to the condition OF
the royal eXchequer with a depressing ac-
count of the hopelessnes sof the situation,
"Revonde is a jewel after ALL" said the
duke suddenly; "a jewel can always be
mortgaged, Selpdorf."
Selpdorf admitted that this was true and
also limited that the jewel had been used
in one way or another pretty freely to
raise the revenues for n good many years.
without giving much in the way Of a
quid pro quo, beyond the vague hopes and
airy promises which pledged the Maasaun
government to little or nothing. But now,
he explained, the powers were growing
weary OF so Improbable a speculation and
were inclined to expect some definite re-
turn for their assistance.
The duke listened moodily, lying back
on his cushions, a thin-legged, paunchy
figure, whose features had lost their shapely
mold under the touch of dissipation. The
nose hung long and feshy between the
pouched skin of the cheekbones, the eyes
showed a t~ell-tale slackness in the under
eyelid, where it merged into the loose
wrinkles below. The lower part of the face
was covered by a long but sparse mustache,
through which at times could be discerned
that terrible protrusion Of the upper lip
that seems the herald OF senility. Yet
Gustave, grand duke of Nassau. vas only
that day celebrating the completion OF his
57th year.
When the carriage attained the level of
the plateau the main road curved away in
land to the right, while upon the left hand
under the WALL of encircling brown cliffs, a
small brigade of all arms was assembled to
do honor to their ruler. Through a cut in
the hills. far away, but seemingly nearer on
that windy morning, could be seen a blue open
bay, blown into the "innumerable laughter
OF the sea-" The air, the whole scene, was
inspiring, but the duke looked heavily on as
the troops deproyed and turned, their arms
glittering in the sunlight.
First in order came a couple OF squadrons
Of the frontier cavalry, with their black
sheepskins hanging behind them: then in
fantry, followed by two batteries of artillery
divided by some more cavalry, and, after a
distinct interval, the guard.
The little army was perfect in equipment
and finish, and their uniforms were brill
liant and picturesque, but the duke started
out upon the amphitheater of the parade
ground with dissatisfaction and ennui.
Money, he wanted money, and the less the
chancellor could encourage him to hope for
it the more he desired to have 1t, by hook or
by crook.
The grand marshal Of Nassau having been
dismissed from the side of the royal carriage
with a few curt words, the duke spoke again
in a low tone to Selpdorf.
''Then you wish me to understand that
there is no more to be got out Of anybody.
l know better than that. England, Germany
and Russia are waiting to outbid each other"
THAT Is true, sire; but they will not deal
on the old terms"
The guard, with scattered pennons flying,
were drawn up at the lower end of the parade
ground. The chief effect Of the day was
about to take place-the charge of the guard.
81 am now of an age" remarked the duke
peevishly. when my birthdays have ceased
to be a cause for congratulation. This re-
view is an anachronism. In my fathers time
L IOut al lut utdu VI III SudTu, Ii leu q
charge on the day / was IS. Pish! have
grown wiser, and know how to enjoy life
after a more rational fashion. To return to
our other subject-What do they want?"
Selpdorf smiled, and passed his fingers
upwards over the erect corners of his NOUS
tache.
For example, there is a power that might
pay a heavy annual sum IL your highness
would consent to disband your guard" he
said, with a tentative smile.
The slack fallen lines of the dukes visage
grew suddenly tense. His eyes frightened
as the tossing mass in green and gold swept
down towar them in a thunder of hoofs,
and the long-drawn shout of "Maasau,"
with which the guard have charged home
on so many a battlefield.
AS the splendid ranks Of horsemen
crashed past under a flashing play OF sa-
luting swords, the duke pulled himself erect
in his carriage and raised his gloved hand
in acknowledgment with a strong fling of
enthusiasm that recalled to men present
other and better days.
Selpdorf's brow lost its round smoothness
for a short moment. but cleared again be-
fore the duke dropped back with a groan
into his seat.
"Disband the guard? What traitor sug-
gested that? May the guard shoot me first!
I'd rather rot of starvation than consent to
it! For with the guard is bound up the
freedom of Nassau"
Presently he turned upon the chancellor
with a glooming and suspicious gaze.
Has Sagan been tampering with your
he asked, with a sheer. IF he tempted
you now it would only be to betray you