Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-17
CHAPTER I.



which Is not very noticeable even on the
largest-sizsd map Of Europe-is tormented
by a dry and wearying northeast wind.
And nowhere is It's influence more unpleas-
antly felt than in the capital, Revonde,
which stands shoulder-On to the hustling
gales its stately frontages and noble quays
stretching out westward along the shores
of the Kofn almos. to where the yellow
waters of the river spread fanwise into a
Eray-green sea
The tsa was blowing strongly on a GER
tain November afternoon, eddying and
whistlng about the wide spaces of the
Grand Square. as John Hollywood, a tall
figure in a military cloak, turned the corner
of a side street and met its full blast. He
faced it for some yards along the empty
pavcnents. then ran up the steps of his
club. A few minutes later he passed
through a lofty corridor and entered a door
over which is set a quaint invitation to
smokers. which may not be written down
here. for 1t Is the jealousy guarded copy
right Of the club.
II CHANGED 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
though square and comfortable boots.
Hollywood paused almost imperceptibly in
his stride.
itnIlD, MAJOR GIlau 10 see you, ne SAID.
as he dropped into armchair opposite.
Major Counsellor stood Up with his back
to the stove, thereby giving view of red,
challenging face. heavy eyebrows and a
huge white droop of mustache, He looked
down a Hollywood COnsiderlngly before he
spoke. so you're here. l imagined they
kept you pretty closely on the frontier.
The world been kicking you?
Hollywood laughed.
mo. but it would do me good to kick the
world ne answered as he helped himself
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 papers"
Then you'll be fool returned the ma
jor with decision.
Hollywood 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
ANY other reasonS?" he asked
Plenty
PITY. Are they serious or-otherwise?'
Hollywood 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
Hollywood smoked on in silence. He was
a big. Shallpw-f1anked man with the marks
of thu world upon him. and that indescrib-
able air which comes TO one who has pass
cd a good portion of his time in laughing
at the arbitrary handiCaps arranged by
Fate H. the race Of life
Where DO You propose 70 go?" asked
Counsellor after an interval
Pack To Africa. l think-BuluwaYO, Jo-
hanne-hUrg. anywhere South Afrfca's still
in The bud. You see.
Yes. but II is a biggish bud and will take
time to blow. You can afford to wait and
il ma he worth your while
RJllywoOd threw a swift glance at Coun-
srllurS inscrIta5le face.
seven years ago. he said in deliberate
manner. You told me il was worth while.
hut life has not Grown more interesting
since then
An Counsellor paused then went on
with grim smile. lat your age John,
III re 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.
Rallywpod rose lazily and saZed out also.
Tile prospect was not cheering. a few
troopers. their Clodks Tapping in the wind.
We're ga!iOpiTE across the square on the
way 70 relieve guard at the palace, and I'M
der the SjatU" of the late grand duke on
horseback three men in tall hats stood talk
Ing together, then they turned and walked
toward the club.
Know them" asked Counsellor.
Railvw nod shook his head
The man wiki 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 i going TO take up peo-
pies attention shortly The grand duke is
IN tight place. and there will be a fare
up sooner or later"
And YOU advise me to stop and see 1t
through said Hollywood meditatlvely
from the window; then he Iounged back 10
his chair. How will il end?'
Counsellor shook the ash from his cigar.
SeipdUrf il the man of the hour" he
said
On th- autumn evening when these two
men We're talking at the club the duchy of
Nassau wac. in the opinion of Maasaun
patriots going fast it could to the
devil. With them. IT may BE- added the
devil was psTsOHItIed and bore the name of
a ueighb0ring nation Thu 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 her, Nassau the
Fr-a- This being the case. he felt hims II
al liberty 10 spend his time in Cursing the
fate that had refused blue seas and skies 10
w'ntry RevOude. thus dapriVing il Of these
sources ~ revenue which depend upon
climate. and which are enjoyed by places
far less naturally beautiful than the capital
81 Nassau.
Tn, duke. pramaturely aged by the man.
r-r nf his life. made it his chief business to
devise schemes for raising money whereby
h might carry on the stating pleasures of
his youth Beyond this the administration
"r public affairs was left entirely in tn.
Supple hands IF the chancellor. VI. Salpdorf
while the duke, with those who surrounded
him. plunged into the newest excitement Of
tn hour, for who knew what a lay might
bring FORTH The court was like stage lit
and loved. danced and fought to the music
OF a wild finale. that wEirled and madiened
before tho crash of the coming end.
once upon tima Nassau was accounted
OF no particular Importance or value among
Its bigger neishbOrs. hut Of late. for var
touS reasons. Us fortunes had become the
subject Of attention and discussion in al
least three foreign Chancell art.s where old
mans were being looked up ard new Cnes
bought and painted diff rent colors, ac-
coriinE as seemed most desirable by tie
bearded men who sat in coaa I'll to aDpor-
t:"n the marsh. rock, dune and forest of
which The now ahsorbingIy interesting pig
my state was composed.
In fact. Nassau. with its twenty miles or
o. nt seahoard. containing one excellent
port N esSe and TWO others in posse had
become a Nahoth's vineyard to a country
almost land-hnund and yet dreaming of the.
supremacy Of the four seas on this am
h'ti"n and its> possible consequences the
other great powers looked. TO speak dipIo-
niattraliy. with coliness-
II was generally understood that the Eng
HSh foreign office desired the maInts nance
OF the status quo. France was supposed TO
hH ready Z" clap young republic on the
bark and 10 accord II her protection while
Russia played her own dumb and tIIn6ire
game. OF which none could definitely Dro-
nounCe the issue. The political world thus