Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-09
Copyright. 1899. by Doubleday & Mcclure
Company
CHAPTER VII.
One woman's Diplomacy.

One woman's Diplomats.
There are men who, though conspicuously
In the world, are never OF 1t. Couhselior
was one OF these. He gave the impression
of being a spectator, one VINO looked On a'
the play Of common ambitions and intrigues
with an amused and impersonal interest. He
was drawn into no quarrels. Those WIN
hated him most continued to shake nanus
with him, and none could accuse MN Vi
being a partisan. Yet he was rather trucu-
lent than meek, entirely ready to give his
opinion, often with a surprising frankness'
but maintaining throughout the complex re-
lations of his life a superb reserve that
formed a defense behind which neither favor
nor enmity could penetrate.
He STAYED on at Revonde, though the tsa
continued to blow relentlessly. Affairs were
vet In a chaotic condition and he fingered
grumbling at the club, declaring 1t was TOO
cold to travel, and apparently finding MS
chief relaxation in privately deriding Rally
wood for the favors which Revonde society
was thrusting so lavishly upon him.
In the untlring whirl and tangle OF court
life and gaiety Hollywood lived and moved
with a growing enjoyment that half sur
prised himself, and for which he accounted
on the score OF change from the full
drudgery OF the frontier. His acceptance
nv the guard had been thorough; even the
colonel-in -chief, Count Sagan, whose strong
est point was not courtesy, had given him
a pronounced recognition. The pretty
countess demanded a good deal OF his at
t~ention and attendance, and this fact brought
down upon him some of Councillors most
scathing jeers.
"Gallantries are in vogue, my boy. and
you are qualifying for a high place among
the Maasauns," he said. 'She is a deuced
pretty woman. / offer you my compliments
"She is pretty replied Hollywood, but
there are a good many people In Nassau
who think her handsomer than 1 do
yet you tell me that you are again on
your way to her house this evening. Can't
you get through the day without a glimpse
OF herr"
Does it seem so bad as all that" asked
Rallywood refectively. Yes, / suppose l
like going there; yet, as I have said before.
there are a good many people who ap-
p%reciate her more than j do
Then what in the world takes you
therc?"
Because OF the other people, I suppose"
he repeated dreamily
LAS for instance"
Rallywood woke up from his thoughts and
shook himself.
"Unziar,'' he returned with a grin.
IOullStiiol opNhNb nv S'o'S N'N
the remnant Of his cigar.
"Ah!" he commented, significantly; land
presume unfair goes there to meet you.
I begin to see."
Rallywood laughed.
'Tm hanged il 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 can't get at you"
80 much the better for me-" was the
grim reply. Also / am sorry / can't recipro-
cate the countess opinion of me-. There
are very few reliable women. II | had ever
found one / might have married her"
THAT is a hard saying, major. You've been
unlucky. That's where it hurts with you'll"
mo, I've no personal feeling in the mat
ter. / 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
about women wasn't worth knowing. Yet
he records as his experience, One man
among a Thousand have l found; but a
woman among all these have | not found ="
~ bet he didn't You can't sample a
delicate quality in the bulk" retorted Rally
wood, and was already at the door when an
idea stopped him. Look here, major; come
with me and revise your verdict"
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.
'Ill CO."
The ~cotillon, danced with its hundred
yagaries, was as fashionable at Revonde as
elsewhere. Counsellor, like a courtly bear,
was induced to join in it's whimsical va
carries.
The details OF the cotillon obtaining at
that period do not concern us here. 1t Is
sufficient to say that, as a result OF some
evolution, by chance or by choice Counsel
lor found himself with the countess on a
raised dais at one end of the room, while
Mile. Selpdorf and Hollywood formed the
corresponding couple at the other end. Be-
tween the dance proceeded, thus leaving the
respective couples virtually isolated for a
few minutes.
at was delightful OF you to come TO Gus
little party tonight" the countess was say
ing to her companion. Nov that You have
come to see me here. can l not induce Sou
to come also 10 Sagan next week? We are
going out there for a few days Do think
OF It," 49,
you are too kind, my dear madame, but
an old man like myself may be out ol
place.
The countess sighed a little.
"of course you are not at all DID, sh'
said, shaking her head at him, though vol
are fond OF playing the part. But II you
want to be old you can be old In good com
pany at the castle, for the duke Will b'
there-you know he is a cousin OF ours.
Counsellor looked back into the blue
smiling eyes. Most men would have sue
eumbed TO their innocent iattery, To the
major they only suggested an Infinite ca
pacity for foolishness.
Don't you think We could exchange oui
duke for another, a more interesting one?'
she added, misled perhaps by his look
Duke Gustavs Is 50 wrapped up in hii