Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-02
Good Luck md n FireHy.

Ralywood did not dance again; he con-
tented himself with following the movements
of the black domino. After time sne
Joined a little group of people, with whom
she stood talking One of the group pres
entity detached himself and glanced round, as
if searching for some one. 1t was Unziar
of the guard. He quickly perceived Rally
wood and at once came toward him.
ALLOW me to recall myself to your men,
ory, Captain Rallywood; l am Unziar OF the
guard" he said, bowling, both voice and bow
touching that extreme OF punctiliousness
which in itself constitutes an insolence.
1.-The guard are said to have long mem
ories. l hope in that particular at least, if
in no other. to support their traditions" re-
piled Rallywood, with an air of cool and
serene indifference said to be impossible to
any but men of his race.
"That is-something," rejoined Unziar,
with smile that belied his name. we
are somewhat exigeant in the guard. we
ask for more than a long memory-a long
pedigree, for example, and long sword
"I have heard that also"
Jnziar glanced sharply at him out of his
pale, keen eyes. The fellow was too non
committal to please his taste. To hound
coward out of the corps promised infinitely
less difficulty and enjoyment than he had
hoped for when he pledged himself to rid
the guard of the Englishman For perhaps
the only time in his life he wished he wore
any uniform but the telltale green and gold,
for he knew of the guard that it was often
their great name that conquered"
Spurred 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 peculiarities,
Perhaps Captain Rallywood may no longer
care to join us?" said the guardsman.
Rallywood laughed with absolute good
humor
II both care and-dare." he said. pleas
antly.
Unziar's face cleared.
II am forgetting my errand," he said,
with a slight change Of tone. II have been
sent by 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 Cap
tain Rallywood, Anthony. We are already
friends; are we not, MONSIEUR
The sweet high voice and the nconsequent
childish laugh came upon Rallywood with a
slight shock.
II could hardly have dared to claim so
much," he said, ''but I cannot forget that
Nine. de Sagan-"
She laid her hand with a suspicion OF
caressing familiarity on his arm.
Hush, them Do you not know that 1t is
inadmissible to mention the name OF
masked lady until the clock strikes mid
night? Captain Rallywood has been sta
toned near the castle at Kofn Ford. We
have therefore ENTHUSIASTICALLY" continued
the lady, addressing herself to Mile. Selp-
dorf.
Captain Rallywood Is luckier than most
of u.s." interposed another voice. "He seems
to have an enviable facility for appearing
where we others in vain wish to be. Only
last week"
tall Mephstopheles in scarlet silk,
whose high shoulders lent him added height,
had Joined them. His peaked cap and
feather sparkled with lurid points OF fire.
Countess Sagan turned upon him.
"But, baron, where is, then your domino?
IT Is not yet midnight" she exclaimed, her
hand still remaining on Rallywood's arm.
"Llsten!" Won Elmur raised his hand
"The happy moment arrives when the beau
tful faces we long to see" He gave the
rest of the sentence to the ear of Mile
Selpdorf, who stood silently looking on at
the little scene.
At this moment the music broke off with
sudden clang; the dancers paused where
they stood, as the great bell OF the palace
tower sent It's strong, mellow boom of mid
night out over the frost-bound city.
Rallywood on looking round an instant
later saw that masks and dominoes had dis
appeared Opposite to him stood Valerie
Selpdorf In a dress OF some deep velvety
shade, which bore, wrought upon its
texture here and there, tiny horse shoes en-
bossed in iridescent jewels A dadem OF
the same shape crowned her dark hair. Yet
al the richness and delicacy OF the blended
colorlngs struck Rallywood with only one
odd remembrance-his own boot heel out
lined in Revonde mud upon a long suede
glove. The same association apparently oc-
CURED to Baron Won Emur. His glance
fled from Valerie to Rallywood, and he
smiled. with some malice
"What have we here, mademoiselle? The
stamp of some idealized cavalry charger?'
ne asked. 81 should be eternally grateful
n only were-of the cayalry"
THE guard" But the girl cut him re-
morselessly short.
hI do NOT idaaltza either ba RI .,