Omaha daily bee., 1899-08-06
CHAPTER XVII.


The duke retired to his room at an early
hour under the plea of WEAKNESS. He was,
as a matter of fact. worn out by the flood
OF fears and cnxieties that Valerie's one
reckless sentence had let loose upon him.
So long was it since he had placed these
weightier matters of diplomacy and govern
ment in other hands that the renewed sense
of responsibility and the imminent need for
action seemed to be crushing in his brain.
But the instinct Of self-preservation, backed
by the one kingly attribute left him-love
of his country-strengthened him to at
tempt a final effort to combat the overpow-
ering odds which he felt rather than knew
to be against him.
Tossed and harried by a hundred terri
flying thoughts, the self enfeebled creature
broke at length into that dreadful crying,
the scanty, painful tears, the aching sobs,
which is the weeping Of age or Of an ex-
hausted constitution.
When the paroxysm was over he lay back
in his bed. absolutely drained Of strength
and Of all power to think longer. Whether
he do2ed or not he scarcely knew, but after
an interval he seemed to awake as IL from
sleep, with his thoughts once more under
control.
Unfair and RaHywood, with two troopers,
watched in the guardroom, through which
lay the only approach to his sleeping cham
Der. Unfair. could Unfair be trusted =?
He had heard something of Unfair and that
handsome vixen of Selpdorf's. Then COLLEEN
orp-ah, there was no doubt there! Dark
and resentful, his poverty and his pride
were the bywords Of the barracks; he, what
ever the temptation, would never fall from
honor.
There remained Rallywood. He, too,
was to be depended upon, the duke decided
quickly, though for no special reason but
that he had taken some vague fancy to the
Englishman's bronzed face and swinging
stride. Yet Simon was powerful and I'M
scrupulous; how could this handful of men
oppose him?
He sprang up in his bed as the door
opened and a man stood on the threshold.
Sire, there is treason! Collendorp has
been murdered"
rs it you. Unziar?' The dukes voice
came strangely from his pillows. "Send for
the whole escort Of the guard from their
quarters"
Impossible, sire! The corridors are held
by Count Sagan's men. Mile Selpdorf has
brought the news"
What! You told me not two hours ago
she was engaged to Won Elmur. She is the
price of Selpdorf's treason"
Unfair stepped nearer.
mile. Selpdorf has already risked her life
TO warn us that we are in danger. I'd stake
my soul she is loyal"
Good, indeed, Anthony I'd sooner have
your honor than your soul. But go, In the
name OF the Virgin, and since the corridors
are closed to the men or my guard, send
the girl for Major Counsellor. She can
but die!"
unfair saluted and hurried back to the
nnteroom where Valerie and Rallywood were
waiting, In spite of his personal horror at
the thought of her danger, he was well
aware that only by Valerie's aid could they
hope to reach Counsellor.
Valerie listened to the dukes order. then.
wrapping the lace as before about her head,
turned to Rallywood. He accompanied her
through the guard room and some little way
along the passage. 1t seemed as IL he could
not let her go forth on this perilous en-
terprise.
For Gods sake, take care Of yourself!"
he said. III anything were to happen to
you!"
The prolonged excitement of events, the
sense of responsibility and danger, the ex-
altation OF such a moment must have re-
acted on Valerie. Whether prompted by
some instinct of coquetry, or betrayed into
a touch of real feeling, or perhaps moved
by the knowledge that death stood close
beside them both, she drew her hand from
his arm and raising her face asked in her
soft voice:
DO you remember what you said to me
once-on the night OF the palace ball?"
He saw the deep eyes upturned to his,
though their meaning in that dim place he
could not be sure OF, but a rush Of quick
memories cam over him.
Yes"
She gave a little excited laugh.
Then expect mel" she said, and she was
gone.
When Valerie returned to Nine. de
Sagan. half an hour later, she was still
white and breathless. Isolde. in a fever
OF impatient terror, caught her by the arm.