The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-02
CHAPTER v-CoNTINUED.
COOP LUCK AND A FREELY.


black domino. After time she Joined little
.,onp Of peope with whom she stood talking.
ono OF tho group presently detached himself
md glanced round as IL searching for some one.
It.was Unziar Of tho Guard. He quickly per.
seiycd Rally wood and at once came toward
him.
ALLOW me to recall myself to your memory.
Can't. Hollywood: am Unfair OF the Guard
he said. bowling. both 'oce and bow touching
that extreme OF punctiliousness which IN ltseit
constitutes an insolence.
The Guard are said to have long memories.
Ihope in that particular at least II in no other.
10 support their traditions" replied Rallywood
with m air OF cool and serene indifference said
TO he impossible to any but men OF his race.
That is-something." rejoined Unfair with
a smile that belied his name We are some-
what exigeart in the Guard We ask for more
than long memorv-a long pedigree. for OK
ample. and long sword
II have heard that ALSO"
Unziar glanced sharply at him out OF his pale.
keen eyes The fellow was too non com initial
70 please his taste. To hound a coward out OF
the CORDS promised infinitely less difficulty and
enjoyment than he had hoped for when he
pledged himself to rid the Guard OF the Eng
Il,hmnn For perhaps the only time In his life
hc wished he wore any uniform but the telltale
green and gold. for he knew OF the Guard that
10 often their great name tnat cOnQuoreu
Scurred by this thought. he looked Rally
wood very straightly In the face. and the CLEAN
OF his eyes reminded the Englishman of glacier
ice.
Knowing so many Of our peculiarites. per.
han. Capt Hollywood may no longer care to
Join us?" said the guardsman.
Rallywood laughed with absolute good
humor.
II both care and-dare!" he said pleasantly.
Unziar's face cleared.
II am forgetting my Grand" he said. with
n slight change Of tone Il have been sent by
a lady to bring you to her. Will you follow
me?'
As they approached the group the shorter OF
the two black dominos spoke.
You need not trouble to introduce Capt.
Hollywood. Anthony. We are already friends;
are We not. monsieur"
The sweet high voice and tho inconseouent
childish laugh came upon. Hollywood with a
slight shock.
Il could hardly have dared to claim 30
much" he said. but l cannot forget that Nine.
de SaRan"--
She laid her hand with suspicion OF CO.
ressing familiarity on his arm.
Hush. then! DO you not know that 1t Is in
admissible to mention the name of masked
lady until the clock strikes midnight? Caot.
Rallywood has been stationed near tho castle
ut Kofn Ford We have therefore met-occa-
Bionally." continued the lady. addressing her
self to Mile. Seipdorf
Capt Rallywood is luckier than most OF u.s."
nterposed another voice. He seems to have
I'm enviable facility for appearing where we
others in vain wish to be. Only last week.
a tall Menhistopheles in scarlet silk. whose
high shoulders lent him added height had
Ioined them His peaked cap and feather
iparIled with lurld points OF fire. Countess
Egan turned uron him.
But. Baron. where is then your domino? 1t
Is not yet midnight" che exclaimed. her hand
Ftill remaining on Rally woods arm.
Listen" Won Elmur raised his hand. The
happy moment arrives whom the beautiful
faces we long to see"-- He gave the rest OF
tho sentence to the ear OF Mile. Selpdorf. who
stood silently looking on at the little scene.
At this moment the music broke Off with a
sudden cnng; the dancers paused where they
stood. as the great bell Of the palace tower
sent its strong. mellow boom of midnight out
over the frostbound city.
Hollywood. on looking round an instant later.
saw that masks and dominoes had disappeared,
Opposite to him stood Valerie Selpdorf in a
dress OF some deep velvety shade. which bore.
wrought upon its texture here and there. tiny
horssshoes embossed in iridescent jewels. A
diadem OF the same shane crowned her dark
hair. Yet all the richness and delicacy OF the
blended coorlngs struck Hollywood with only
one odd remembrance-his own boot heel out
lined in Revonde mud upon a long suede glove
The same association apparently occurred to
Baron Won Elmir His glance fed from Va
ierie to Hollywood. and he smiled with some
malice.
What have we here. mademoiselle? The
stamp OF some localized cavalry charger" he
asked. Il should oe eternal!y grateful II only
i were-of the cavalry"
A sudden intense expression. like a spasm OF
hope or happiness. crossed Cnzar's pale face
in fash. word sprapE almost invountarly
from his lips.
The Guard"-- But the girl cut hi:. re.
morselessly short
Il do not idealize either the Guard
she paused then went on without taking hel
eyes from Elmur's face-"or the cavalry. One
has illusions. doubtless. but none SO entirely
absurd l have idealized my own desire
merely. l want good luck. I am Coed
Luck" She spoke the last two words In Eng
lsh. smiling back at Elmur.
The Baron bowed He was not beaten yet
THAT is WE'LL" he exclaimed; since tn,
cavalry and Guard are disowned. /: means tina
the good luck Is for the poor diplomat"
Professionally, yes." said the girl
Mile. Sepdorf has already given this walt
to me-" said Unfair. stepping forward.
But Mile. Selpdort placed her hand within
the Baron's ready arm.
Later. Anthony" she answered. His Elk
cellency deserves consolation prize, since m,
reading OF Good Luck is not in the German
language"
She turned away and. with her the grou
parted and scattered.
You are very much interested; Is 1t no
so?"
Hollywood started. The Countess spok
petulan;;y.
DO you not know" she added. that tn
custom in Revonde holds YOU to the partne
with whom you ind yourself when midpigh
rings Valerie Sepdorf is embarrassed wit
partners-my cousin, Anthony Unziar. who de
Gires perhaps herself. but most certainly he
fortune. and our delightful German Minister
who uses all means that come TO hand to wi
Nassau for his master! But should not sa
these foolish things to you. who are OF III