Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-22
CHAPTER NJ.
A Counsel of Expediepcy.

A Counsel of Expediepcy.
The foundation of the family and castle
of Sagan was said to belong to the period
of the Frankish incursions. Some one had
once remarked that Count Simon himself
WAS the most perfect relic of the barbaric
period to be found in Europe, which, COM
ing round in due time to Count Simon, the
Joker paid with his life for his poor at
tempt at wit.
However true this tradition of Sagan
might be. the castle itself was medieval.
and. though 1t had been added to and re-
stored, dark and tOrtuouS passages still eX-
listed in the oI-er portion OF its huge bulk,
and could by no means be improved away.
TreaeherouS steps waylaid and betrayed
the unwary foot; undreamed of doors gave
upon their dimmest corners, and not all
the efforts of the nervous chatelaine ever
accomplished the adequate lighting of their
recesses.
The spirit of fear seemed to be abroad in
the castle that night, and the guests moved
with causeless but irresistible hurry when
coming or going from the upper apart
ments or through the winding corridors.
Valerie was conscious of it, as, wrapped
in a long cloak, she opened her door and
started back on finding a tall, high-shOul-
dered figure standing outside.
Take my arm, mademoiSelle, / beg of
you" Won Elmur bent his head. speaking
urgently: II am aware that his August
In ertinence well deserved your rebuke,
But many heard it. and b. a sinister
construction has been put upon it. For
your fathers sake. will you condescend to
listen to me-?
Valerie withdrew her hand from his arm
with swift movement, but he caught and
replaced it almost roughly.
Forgive me, u1ademOiSelle, you must
listen to me- am not urging my suit upon
you'll Will not urge it until you consult
your father; but in the meantime. the ex-
igencies of the case, difficulties which have
arisen as the result of your own words.
make it essential for you to follow my adj
vice You are aware. you must be aware,
of my feelings toward you, and may ! re-
hat wishes
eide with rnine2 VIII you allow TO an
nounce our betrOthal 10 the count? l will
never presume upon this favor in the fu-
ture-you may rely upon me. Valerie, you
see / am using no lovers persLasiveneSs.
do not tell you that l adore you-thOugh
you are well aware Of that / only declare
that Your falling in with my request may
mean the difference between life and death
to some of u.s.
rs my father in danger through my
fault?'
His hand held hers close. and she could
see that he was moved out of the common
by some emotion. the cool stiffness of his
manner was replaced by a passion of which
she had not believed him capable Her
beauty and the thought of losing her had
good deal 10 do with this disturbance, but
The chief cause was the fear that. after ALL
'.is mission might fail and fail badly.
Il cannot explain: but | implore you to
act IN my advice
Valerie hesitated. Elmur was very much
in earnest yet ii might be an attempt TO
trick her into a position from which she
would find il almost impossible to with
draw.
''Do you wish to make this public?" she
asked.
''No. no. That-pardon me- once more
would be equally fatal after the impression
you unluckily conveyed to the duke. No,
only ask you to allow Count Sagan to be-
lieve that you have consented to become
my wife. l beg you to do this-for NJ. Selp-
DORIS sake. and, indeed, mademoiselle. for
your OwnI'
AS they entered the circle of brilliant
Fuht oil ING Trpr ha ahnvp
Nine. de Sagan'S door Baron Won Elmur re-
sumed something of his usual manner.
Then l may conduct you further"
he said. turning in front of her to screen
her agitated face from two persons who
Were coming along the gallery.
Thank you for your protection, baron"
the girI replied in an audible tone. the
castle Is haunted nights like these when
the tsa cries around it,
The door swung open noiselessly beside
them and Count Sagan stood on the
threshold BY some instinct. without look
ing at him, she seemed TO see his angry,
''Au revoir.'' she added to Elmur with a
cOquettish ring in her voice.
'.Ah. mademoi<eIle. live for that only
to see you again, began Elmur
Sagan cut him short.
Tut. tut. baron. too many eyes are look
ing on TO permit Of such eudearments as
these, Ardor in betrothed lover is nat
ural. yet"
Valerie looked Up and smiled miserabIy
''AE rcVpir,' she repeated family.
With that the door closed behind her as
Sagan le'! her away to his wife and .Imur,
affecting not To see the two men who were
passing. strolled ON, singing love song I'M
der his breath tnZiar paused. then drew
Hollywood with him into the center of the
wide lighted passage. where they could
speak with more freedom. That settles
more questions than one!' he said. mock
ingty. For example. 1t settles a question
which most concerns you and me, Rally
wood.
Concerns me?' Hollywood flung back
the words
Would you deny it? You are as deep
I'm that as L., nodding toward the door be-
hind them
RaIywood's answer came SLOWLY
Il do not deny it. Why should / wish "a?
Though regard for her has led me to at
tempt to hide my-foIly. / see / have not
But. had i anything to offer her beside my
sword, I'm hanged If l would let that in
fernaI German have her.
In these affairs. my friend, the ladies
equally make choice" Unfair replied with
sneer. Besides. It Is only a part of the
plot" the last word was scarcely audible
Hollywood turned on him a long keen
look.
And you think that She mademoise!Ie
Is In it?"' III asked a; last
Il wish to God L could say not, But in
the teeth Of this conspiracy. for the sake
OF Nassau, we of the guard cannot lie to
each other.
Hollywood, being on duty during the
evening. stood. according to usage at some
little distance behind the dukes chair
From among the coming and going. from
chance words ard prepared speeches. he
gathered a thread of suspicion which had
its use in the perplexing future that was
rapidly advancing upon them.
Valerie, With a flush upon her face. was
looking unusually brilliant as she talked
for a while with Unfair. who, judging from
the sournesS OF his smile. may have been
offering her his congratulations.
Counsellor came up to Hollywood. and "a