Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-18
Copyright 1899, by Doubleday & Mcclure
Co. All rights rCcrVed.)
CHAPTER 4
4 Lieutenant of Frontier Cavalry.


4 Lieutenant of Frontier Cavalry.
During four months OF the year the in
dependent state of "Maasau," we will call
it-which is not very noticeable even on the
largest-sized map Of Europe-is tormented
by dry and wearying northeast wind And
nowhere is its influence more unpleasantly
felt than in the capital, Revonde, which
stands shoulder-on to the hustling gales, its
stately frontages and noble quays stretching
out westwards along the shores Ct the Kofn
almost to where the yellow waters Of the
river spread fanwise into a gray green sea.
The tsa was blowing strongly on a certain
November afternoon, edding and whistlng
about the wide spaces OF the Grand square
as John Ralywood, a tall figure in mill
tary cloak turned the corner Of side street
and met It's full blast. He faced 1t for
some yards along the empty pavements,
then ran up the steps of his club. A few
minutes later he passed through lofty cor
ridor and entered a door over which Is set
a quaint invitation to smokers, which may
not be written down here, for it is the
jealously guarded copyright of the club.
1t chanced that the room for the moment
had but one occupant, who sat in a roomy
armchair by the white stove This gentle
man did not raise his head, but continued
to gaze thoughtfully at his well-shaped
Ralywood paused almost imperceptibly in
his stride.
"Hullo, major! Glad to see YOU" he said,
as he dropped into an armchair opposite.
Major Counsellor stood up with his back to
the stove, thereby giving a view of a red,
challenging face, heavy eyebrows and huge
white droop of mustache. He looked down
at Rallywood considerngly before he spoke.
80 you're here; l imagined they kept you
pretty closely on the frontier The world
been kicking you?'
Rallywood laughed.
mo, but it would do me good to kick
The world" he answered as he helped him
self from the majors cigar case. Five
years. almost six, spent on the frontier,
with nothing to show for it, isn't good
enough. I've come up to send in my pa
pers.''
"Then you'll be fool" returned the
major with decision.
Rallywood was busy lighting his cigar;
when that was arranged to his satisfaction
he said easily:
. Just so. History repeats itself"
( Counsellor stood squarely upright with his
hands behind him.
J "Any other reasons?" he asked.
Plenty"
"Pity! Are they serious or-otherwise?"
Rallywood pulled his mustache.
why Is it a pity?" he asked slowly.
Because there is going to be trouble
here, and with trouble comes a chance"
Rallywood smoked on in silence. He was
big, shallow fanked man with the marks
of the world upon him, and that indescrib
able air which comes to one who has passed
q good portion Of his time in laughing at
the arbitrary handicaps arranged by fate
in the race of lie.
Where do you propose to go?' asked
Counsellor after an interval.
Back to Africa, l thnk-Buluwayo,
johannesburg, anywhere. South Africa's
still in the bud, you see."
Yes, but 1t Is a biggish bud and will take
time to blow. You can afford to wait and
lit may be worth your while"
Rallywood threw a swift glance at Coun-
sellor's inscrutable face.
Seven years ago." he said in a deiber-
ate manner, you told me it was worth
while, but life has not grown more interest
ing since then"
"Ah!" Counsellor paused, then went on
with grim smile, 'at your age, John,
there are possibilities. Think over it.
After hanging on here for more than five
years why lose your chance now? Look at
those fellows" He pointed out into the
square.
Rallywood rose lazily and gazed out also
The prospect was not cheering. few
troopers, their cloaks tapping in the wind
were galfoping across the square on the way
to relieve guard at the palace, and under the
statue of the late grand duke on horseback
three men in tall hats stood talking to-
gether; then they turned and walked to-
ward the club
Know them?" asked Counsellor.
Rallywood shook his head
"The man with the beard Is Stokes OF
the Times; next him is Bradley; he's on an
other big daily. Their being here speaks for
Itself. Maasau is going to take up people S
attention shortly. The grand duke is in a
tight place, and there viii be a fareup
sooner or later"
And you advise me to stop and see it
through?" said Rallywood meditatively from
the window; then he lounged back to his
chair. How will 1t end?"
Counsellor shook the ash from his cigar.
"Selpdorf is the man of the hour" he said
On the autumn evening when these two
men were talking at the club the duchy OF
Maasau was, in the opinion of Maasaun pa
triots, going as fast as ii could to the devil
With them, it may be added, the devif was
personifed and bore the name of a neighbor-
ing nation. The one person who ignored this
fact was the grand duke. With an inset
stubborn pride he believed that his country
must remain forever, as the long centuries
had known it, Nassau the Free. This be-
ing the case, he felt himself at liberty to
spend his time in cursing the fate that had
refused blue seas and skies to wintry Re-
vonde, thus deprvng it OF these sources OF
revenue which depend upon climate and
which are enjoyed by places far less natur-
ally beautiful than the capital OF Maasau.
The duke prematurely aged by tho man
per of his life, made it his chief business to
devise schemes for raising money whereby
he might carry on the stating pleasures OF
his youth. Beyond this tine administration
of public affairs was left entirely in the