The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-27

otOp, my lOfO, again mbrruptoo inc uuko, IL
those proposals have any reference to Won Emur
and his projects for the good Of the state i ALSO
lutely decline 70 hear them What's this7- he had
laid aside the upper papers after signature, and
was scanning tho one below with an expression Of
oountenance w.,io,l showed that he liked what no
road very little
Sagan watched him with deepening frown
the more subtle Selpdorf with curiosity. Al other
times IL had been the dukes custom 70 add his
signature TO papers without glance al their con-
tents Tho destiny Of one Is thus often do
cidod by the passing mood Of another.
Whats this about Rallywood!"
"A bad business. but your highncssa signature
makes many a wrong right" said Sagnn. with q
clumsy attempt at pleasantly; 1T moods only that
You have the pen and ink sire"
But by heaven. not the vin' cried tho duke
Z will not sign IL! And II I viii MOI, hcy?"
m. Sclpdorf will assure you that Il 10 necessary
in the cause OF discipline" urged Sagan with .
lowering look.
And will assure NJ Solpdort thss am aoous-
toned to make UP my own mind You know II
already, Selpdorf!"
Il have always known it, sire" said the subtle
chancellor.
you will hear my roasonY" asked Saean.
angrily
The duke nodded
Shpshiu nhuy WOOu Wdb Buhty VI GIVnb uib-
obedience Of orders His oase has been laid before
court-mar,ial OF his brother officers, and he has
boon condemned TO DO shot Tho trial has been
conducted with Justice"
What wero Capt Rallywood's ordars thsn?-
"Hc was ordered 70 carry oertotn dispatches to
the chancellor, but he carried thom elsewhere for his
own purposes
Tho duke nodded slowly, and half closed his
cyoe He remembered q certain damp morning by
tho river. when Hollywood had ridden to talte
ders from Selpdorf.
$50 you are in this, also Seipdorf,- no said.
What dispatches were these7 Pray tell mo
frankly. l believe know something already"
Dispatches sent to mo from tho frontier. sire"
Which he failed to bSing to you. Whore thcn
did he take them"
The delay and the persistent unex peoted ques
tionng Of the duke it;itated sagan almost beyond
endurance. He stuck in.
"Src, does il matter what he did with them,
as we have proof that he dsoboyed ordefs2 That
is the pOut--what need TO ask further Then
the duke still shook his head he burst out We'll
then. he carried them to the British legation-to
his own countrymen, mind you He was false
TO his oath as soder He must be shot"
Gustave of Nassau was man who lied much
and often. those Of poor moral calibre will
He lied now with Test
my personal instructions Simon'" he said quietly
Sagan sprang To his feet
Yes" resumed the duke warming to his role
Yes he acted under my orders, for the dispatches
were connected with the agreement have within
the last hour signed with England, and about
which the first proposals were laid before me at
midnight by the British envoy during my visit
to your CASTLE"
What" shouted Saean his house OF cards
fell about him. you lie, Gustave, And Ger
many? Selpdorf, we hold your promises! II
is impossible to think this to be trus."
1T is true" said the chancellor. ~ hog you
will recoect that his highness is present my
lord This is excitement
Sagan stood gasping and staring His pas
sion seemed to choke him he stood. but tine duke
still exalted by the sense of triumph and powor,
mstook the silence for speschless hiimili alton.
His temper rose as the others seemed TO sink.
You can deceive me no more my lord Saean!"
he cried in high excited voice You took
Colendurp from me. you would now take Rally
wood one by one all my faithful suavd! But
am sovereign still! You shah not tamper any
longer with my loyal state; you shnn never bring
your tratorous German schemes to an issue"
But there things impossible for Count
Simon Of Sagan to endure Never before had
he been twitted with impotence and failure He
could mt survive utter defeat a man to
bear these things must be less thorough than
the count He too fierce, too imperious
To bear no great a reverse. II ne must be put to
shame before the world II even paltry captain
of the guard IN be permitted to negative
his will, why then life had best he over!
He seemed to struggle for speech; al last with
out warning, his passion leaped into flame Like
wild beast he sprnuV ACROSS the table at the duke
the poor, snivrng coward, who had dared
al,
the new fury as he clutched Gustave.
Tho duke gave a shrlll feoble cry not such
cry As ono would have expected from u man of
his age, and Their Sepdorf was between them.
shouting for the guard.
"You false hound" Sagan gnashed his teeth
in Sepdorfs face the chancellor threw him
self upon him.
Shots and shouts and tho wild turmoil of a
deadly struggle. Then the guard had secured
Sagan. The duke stood trembling and inco
herent leaning upon the table and between them,
face downward on the floor, the chancellor, with
bullet in his groin. and for once playing a role
he had not prepared.
Sagacious, supple self seeking. yet not utterly
scared in the last resort he offered up his life
for the master he had almost betrayed.
CHAPTER XXXu
ron sEAsoN.
Queens Fain lies upon the inner edge of Lin
colnshire. in an undulating countryside among
great old trees, where OF an evening the sun
throws bars Of light the lovels of turf whore
homing rocks fly in scattered lines ag ainst a
cleaning sky. the air brsaths GOODNESS and peace
and the scene lays that ineffable spell upon tho
heart of which only tho exile can ever know the
full pathetic power.
Round the house tall fences Of yew and holly
fend off tho colder winds On an evening in
early spring RailywOod and Counsellor strolled
under the shelter of massive black wall of yew.
The daffodils blowing about the border
OF the lake below them. and along the distant
hedges furry catkins wcre already noddng and
floating on the crisp breeze
Il have found IL necessary once or twice before
to say that you fool, John" said Coun-
selor, looking up at a corner OF the great stone
built mansion. its cold aspect yollowed and mel
lowed by the strengthening sunshine
Always OCCASION" Hollywood laughed
easily.
Mostly. You will not leave the guard II
I were you should go tomorrow. Marry tho
girl soon she will lot you and bring her here.
Then sit down and shoot partridRes She will
like Il II is bettnr than NIaaSnu