The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-06-18
Copyright. 1899. by Doubleday & Nc.
Clure Co. All rights reserved-)
CHAPTER 1.
A Lieutenant of Frontier Cavalry.


even on the largest-sized map of Eu-
rope-is tormented by dry and weary
ing northeast wind. And nowhere is
its influence more unpleasantly fell
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 almost to where
tshe yellow waters of the river spread
fan-wise into a gray green sea.
The tsa was blowing strongly on a
certain November afternoon, eddying
and whistling about the wide spaces
Of the Grand square as John Rally
wood, tall figure in military CLOAK.
turned the corner of a side street and
met its full blast. He faced it for
soAe yards along the empty pave
ments. then ran up the steps of his
club. A few minutes later he passed
through a lofty corridor and entered d
door over which is set a quaint invita-
ton to smokers. which may not be
written down here. for it is the jealous
ly guarded copyright Of the club
1t CHANGED that the room for the mo-
ment had but one occupant, who sat III
a roomy armchair by the white stove.
This gentleman did not raise his head,
but continued to gaze thoughtfully 1T
his well-shaped though square and
comfortable boots.
RaliywOod paused almost impercepu
bly, 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
view of a red, challenging face, heavy
eyebrows and a huge white droop of
mustache He looked down at Rally
wood consideringly before he spoke.
$50 you're here? I imagined they kept
you pretty closely on the frontier The
world been kicking you?
Hollywood laughed.
No, but it would do me good to kick
the world" he answered as he helped
himself from the majors cigar-caSe-
Five years, almost six, spent on the
frontier, with nothing to show for 1t.
isn't good enough. I've come up to
send in my papers"
Then you'll be a fool, returned the
major, with decision.
Hollywood was busy lighting his q
gar When that was arranged to MS
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-other-
wise?"
Railywood pulled his mustache.
why is it a pity?" he asked, slowly
Because there is going to be trouble
here, and with trouble comes chance.
Rallywood smoked on in silence. He
was a big, shallow-flanked man, with
the marks of the world upon him, and
that indescribable air which comes to
one who has passed a good portion of
his time in laughing at the arbitrary
handicaps arranged by fate in the race
of life.
s.Where do you propose to go?" asked
Counsellor, after an interval.
Back TO Africa l think-Buluwayo,
johannesburg. anywhere. South At
rica's still in the bud, you see.
Yes but it is a biggish bud ana VIII
wait and-it may be worth your while
Rallywood threw swift glance at
Counsellor'S inscrutable face
Seven years ago." he said in a dellb- |
crate manner, you told me 1t was
worth while. but life has not grown
mere interesting since then
ALI Counsellor paused, then went 1
on with a grim smile. lat your age, |
John, there are possibilities. Think !
over it After hanging on here Tor |
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 |
A few troopers, their cloaks Tapping In
the wind, were galloping across .the
square on the way to relieve guard at
the paIace. and under the statute OF the
late grand duke on horseback three
men in tall hats stood talking together;
then they turned and walked toward
the club.
know them" asked Counsellor.
Hollywood shook his head
..The man with the beard is Stokes
of the Times: next him is Bradley; he's
on another big daily. Their being here
speaks for itself Nassau is going TO
take up peoples attention shortly. The
grand duke is in d tight place. and
here will be a flareup sooner or later
And you advise me TO stop and see
If fhrough?'' said Hollywood medlta-
tively from the window; then he
lounged back to his chair. How VIII 1t
end?" -;
aSelpdorf is the man of the hour.
be said.
on the autumn evening when these
two men were talking at the club the
duchy Of Nassau was, in the opinion
Of Maasaun patriots, going as 1ast as
II could TO the devil. With them, ii may
4
bore the name of a neighborinS nation.
The one person who ignored this fact
VS. the grand duke. With an inset,
stubborn pride he believed that ms
country must remain for ever, as the
one centuries had known her, Nassau !
he Free. This being the case, he felt
himself at liberty to spend his time in
.I.,-sine the fate that had refused blue
seas and skies TO wintry Revonde, thus
lenrivine it of these sources of revenue
s-hjch depend upon climate, and which
ire enjoyed by places far less naturally
beautiful than the capital OF Nassau
The duke, prematurely aged by the
manner of his life, made it his chief
business to devise schemes for raising
nancy whereby he might carry on the
falling pleasures of his youth. Beyond
his the administration of public affairs
vas left entirely in the supple hands OF
he chancellor, NJ. SelDdorf, while the
luke. with those who surrounded him. {
,lunged into the newest excitement OF |
he hour. for who knew what day !
night bring forth? The court was like I
stage lit by Iurid light, on which the
Ictors laughed and loved, danced and J
ought to the music of wild male, |
hat whirled and maddened before the {
rash of the coming end. z
Once upon a time Nassau was ac- Q
ounted of no particular Importance or q
alue among its bigger neighbors :-but
z late for various reasons, its fortunes s
adj become the subject of attention I
nd discussion in at least three foreign j
where old maps were be- I
ne looked up and new ones bought and o
ajnted different colors. according as a
aanoed most desirable by the bearded s
,en. who sat in council to aDportion u