Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-08
CHAPTER VII.
One wOuInn's Diplomacy.

was one of these. He gave Inc impression
of being a spectator, one who looked on at
the play of common ambitions and IN
trigues with an amused and impersonai in
terest He was Drawn into no quarrels.
Those who hated him most continued to
shake hands with him. and none could ac-
cuse him of being a partisan. Yet he was
rather truculent than meek, entirely ready
To give his opinion often with surprising
frauknass but maintaining throughout the
complex relations of his life superb re-
serve that formed a defense behind which
neither favor nor enmtty could penetrate
He. STAYED on at Revonde. though the tsa
continued to blow relentlessly- Ahairs were
yet in a chaotic condition. ana ne HhSeIeu
grumbIinS at the club declaring ii was too
cold to travel. and apparently Ending ms
chief relaxation in privately derldlns RaHy-
wood for the favors which Revonde society
was thrusting so livishly upon him.
In the uutiring whirl and tangIe OF court
life and gayety Hollywood lived and moved
with a growing enjoyment that half sur
urised himself and for which he accounted
ON the score Of change from the dull drudg-
cry Of the frontier. His acceptance by the
guard had been thorough; even the colohei-
in-chief Count Sagan. whose strongest
point was not courtesy, had given MIN d
pronounced recognition. The pretty coun-
tess demanded good deal of his attention
and attendance, and this fact brought down
upon him some of Counsellor most scath-
ing jeers- 49, ,a
you are qualifying for high place amongst
The Maasauns." he said. She is deuced
pretty woman 1 offer you my compii-
ments.
she is pretty" remarked Hollywood,
s.but there are a good many people in Maa-
sau who think her handsOmer than do.
Yet you tell me that you are again on
y.llr way to her house this evening. Can't
you get through the day without glimpse
Does It seem so bad as all that?" asked
RallyyoCd. refectively. Yes L suppose
like going there: yet. as l have said before
there are Il good many people VINO appre-
ci4te her more than do
Then what in the world takes you
there
An odd expression grew slowly into the
Because OF the other people, L suppose,
he repeated. dreamily-
..As for instance?
Hollywood woke up from his thoughts
and shook himself
"'Cnziar,' he returned with grin.
Counsellor opened the stove and threw IN
the remnant OF his cigar
All ne commented, significantly; land
I presume Unfair goes there to meet you
/ begin TO see
Railywood laughed.
I'm hanged If l do! By the way, the
countess wants of all things to make a
friend of you She says the English are 50
reliable But you are such an old bear the
women cant get at you
SO much the better for me-. was the
grim reply. Also l am sorry that can
reciprocate the countess opinion OF me:
There are very few reliable women. If l
had ever found one l might have married
her.
THAT is a hard saying major. You We
been unlucky- That's where 1t hurts with
yout'
No I've no personal feeling In the mat
ter. l share the opinion in common with
many wise men. Let me refer you to Solo
mon the census of whose harem warrants
US in believing that what he didn't know
hon ,l4t Ian knowing Yet
he records his experience, One man
among thousand have found; but a wo-
man among all these have L not found "
Il bet he didn't! You can't sample a
delicate quality in the bulk retorted Raj
l.wood. and was already at the door when
an idea stopped him. Look here. major
To his surprise Counsellor stood up and
asked one more question
Countess Isolde invited me-"
Any number OF times. as you know.
The more fool She growled Counsellor
IN go"
The coiillon, danced with its hundred
yagdries. was as fashionable at Revonde as
elsewhere. Counsellor. like a courtIy bear
was induced To join in its whimsical vaga
ries-
The details of Tie cOtillon obtaining al
that period do not concern us here. 1t is
sufficient To say that. a result of som,
evolution, by chance or by choice Counsel
Tor found himself with the countess on q
raised dilS at one end of the room, while
Mile Sepd0rf and Hollywood formed the
corresponding couple at the other end. he
tween the dance proceeded. thus leaving
the respective couples virtually isolated fol
a few minutes
1t delightful of you to come 10 oul
little party tonight the countess was say
lag I" her companion. Now that you have
come 10 see me here, can l not induce yot
TO come also to Sagdu next week? We ar,
going out there for few days. Do thinl
Of it
You are too kind. my dear madame. bu
an old man like myself may be out o
place.
The countess sighed a little
oI course you are not at all Old sh
said. shaking her head at him. though yoi
are fond Of playing the part But If yol
want TO old you can be old in good com
paay at the castle. for the duke will b
thyre-y0u know he is cousin OF ours"
Counsellor Looked back into the blue
smiling eyes. Most men would have sue
cunbed to their innocent fiattery. To tn
major they only suggested an infinite ca
pacity for fooliShness.
Don't you think We could exchange GU
duke for another. more interesting one ?
she added. misled perhaps by his look
Duke Gustaye is wrapped up in hi
stupid gambling. and altogether there ar
many thing her speech tailed off In
consequently into a confused silence
wanting? Certainly For example W
have no duchess. said Counsellor gallant
~ We aeed a pretty duchess But is
not possible that Nassau may yet boast ia
most adorable duchess in Europeg'
countess Isolde started. and flushed Tx
pleased child. and her eyes lit I'D as sh
laid her fan on counsellor's stout Knee xtT
a confidential. irnpuis:ve gesture
But England does not like the idea g
pretty duchessesg" Ishe Eentured reuroae p,
fully And you are only aatterer, afte
air. ' -
The major raised his bushy white ey,
broWs
HI We that reputatsong"
No, Trey say you are terribly frank:
then a design TO sound this difficult an
usually nRAzsproacaa5te Diplomat came in,
her Irrational head. Older men than 4
had been vanquished by her beauty el
now England has not yet recognized m