Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-25

| art of masquerade? What are you mean
| to be a-sort of Tommy Atkns?"
| 81 believed myself to be disguised as ar
officer and a gentleman" returned Counsel
lor, rising to give Rallywood the full effect
of his sturdy figure, clad in the uncompro
missing scarlet so dear to his country's
| heart. "This is the uniform of the Ttir-
| tieth dragons as worn in or about the year
of grace $780,"
"Your old regiment?"
Counsellor nodded. "And my grandfath-
er's" adding. whats the matter with the
, dress?"
| Nothing" said Rallywood laughing
perhaps l imagined on an occasion of this
| kind you might possibly stoop to something
more misleading than this blatantly British
| get-up."
what were you expecting-a troubadour?
| l am satisfied to appear in my own charac-
| ter. Only proportion of the people wear
| masks at this ball; it's an annual affair. Be
sides life with a purpose is too wearing; one
| must always be on the alert and have the
purpose in view, like the actor in six
penny theater, who plays up to the gallery
and keeps his eye open for the rotten ege
| of his enemy. The egg may not be thrown
| but he must be ready to dodge it all the
| same. And-I have never excelled in dodg-
| ing"
"Ah! just what the chancellor thinks. He
| says he has an immense admiration for you
as the most honest diplomat in Europe"
''He put himself to the trouble of mention
ing that fact to you, did he? Then l shall
take the precaution of insuring my fife
Anything might happen to a man of whom
he has so villainous an opinion"
Rallywood was arranging his CATERS.
is
ing to throw the egg? He spoke of you with
absolute affection"
"My good John, he has already thrown 1t!
Now l must harrass myself to find out the
reason" said Counsellor you have spoilt
my evening out. Before had no purpose;
now you have thrust one upon me. You
should have kept your news until tomor-
row."
Rallywood was getting himself into his
velveteen coat with a good deal of unneces-
sary violence.
81 don't beiieve the chancellor is so dan
gerous," he said, carelessly. "He is a con-
summate actor, but one knows it,"
Yes" assented the major, t6oughtfully;
'yet the moment to watch him is the mo-
ment when he acts that he is acting. With
us others acting is troublesome; with him
1t is habitual and a pleasure. However, he
mas gwen you your COlupuhyi tHe IaHh 10
substantial as far as it goes and at least the
accompanying pay is not altogether vision
ary."
Eyes, he's done all that" Rallywood was
finging some of his belongings back into his
portmanteau.
1.-THE next thing will be to hnd you a
mission"
"He has done that also" Rallywood raised
an expressive face. 81 am to reform the
guard"
Counsellor burst into great laugh, but
as suddenly grew grave.
"They will take it kindly! Their welcome
to you Is likely to be-interesting."
80 / expected. But / went down to the
mess last week and was introduced by old
Wallenloup. They were very civil"
"Ah! and since you left they have been
civil and too silent. Looks bad you know"
80, that's all right; Selpdorf told me not
to be drawn into any shallow quarrels,"
Rallywood answered with a smile
But the major did not take up the smile.
The two vertical lines above his fieshy nose
deepened.
at strikes me, my boy, that you've got
the devil by the tail this time" he said,
gruffiy, as his eyes raised for a moment on
Rallywood; "but you know how to take care
OF yourself. Ready? We can drive to the
palace together. / have carriage waiting"
The couple proceeded downs tairs, bought
cigarettes OF the waiter and started. The
wind was bowling in its usual twanging
cadenees down the broad streets. increasing
in force as they gained the open lighted