The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-09
CHAPTER VII.
One Woman's Diplomacy.


Counsellor was one of these. He gave
the impression of being a spectator
one who looked on at the play of com
mon ambitions and intrigues with an
amused and impersonal interest. He
was drawn into no quarrels. Those
who hated him most continued to shake
hands with him, and none could accuse
him of being a partisan. Yet he was
rather truculent than meek, entirely
ready to give his opinion, often with a
surprising frankness, but maintaining
throughout the complex relations of
his life a superb reserve that formed a
defense behind which neither favor nor
enmity could penetrate.
He stayed on at Revonde, though the
tsa continued to blow relentlesSly. AZ
fairs were yet in a chaotic condition,
and he fingered grumbling at the club.
declaring il was too cold to travel, land
apparently finding his chief relaxation
in privately deriding Hollywood for the
fSvorS which ReVonde society was
thrusting so lavishly upon him.
In the untiring whirl and tangle of
court life and gayety Hollywood lived
and moved with a growing enjoyment
that half surprised himself, and for
which he accounted on the score of
change from the dull drudgery of the
lIOIlltT. his acceptance ny TIC udIQ
had been thorough; even the colonel
in-chief, Count Sagan, whose strongest
point was not courtesy, had given him
a pronounced recognition. The pretty
countess demanded a good deal of his
attention and attendance, and this fact
brought down upon him some of Coun-
sellor's most scathing jeers.
"GallantrieS are in vogue, my boy,
and you are qualifying for high place
amongst the Maasauns," he said. She
is a deuced pretty woman. L offer you
my compliments
''She is pretty" replied Rallywood.
but there are a good many people IN
Nassau who think her handsomer than
/ do"
Yet you tell me that you are again
on your way to her house this evening.
Can't you get through the day without
u glimpse of her."
Does it seem so bad as all that?"
asked Hollywood, refiectively. Yes, I
suppose 1 like going there; yet, as 1
have said before, there are a good
many people who appreciate her more
than l do
Then what in the world takes you
there
An odd expression grew slowly into
the young mans face.
Because of the other people, 1 sup
pose" he repeated, dreamily.
As, for instance
Hollywood woke up from his thoughts
and shook himself
'.Unziar." he returned, with grin.
Counsellor opened the stove and
threw in the remnant of his cigar
All" he commented significantly;
"and / presume Unfair goes there to
meet you. l begin to see
Hollywood laughed.
I'm hanged if l do, BY the way, the
countess wants ofall things to make a
friend of you. She says the English
are so reliable. But you are such an
old bear the women can't get at you
so much the better for me-" was the
grim reply. Also l am sorry that L
can't reciprocate the countess opinion |
Of me. There are very few reliable !!
women. If 1 had ever found one 1 |
might have married her"
THAT is a hard saying, major. You've |
been unlucky. That's where it hurts |
with you!"
No, I've no personal feeling in the |
matter. l share the opinion in common
with many wise men, Let me refer you |
to Solomon. the census of whose harem |
warrants US in believing that what he
iidn't know about women wasn't worth
knowing Yet he records as his expert
.nce, One man among thousand have
found; but a woman among all these
have l not found.
delicate quality in the bulk, retorted
Rallywood. and was already at the
loor. when an idea stopped him. Look
mere, major; come with me and revise
-our verdict.
To his surprise Counsellor stood Up
md asked one more question:
Countess Isolde invited me-
Any number of times, as you know
The more fool She growled Coun-
.plior IN go.
The cotillon, danced with its hundred
"a garies, was as fashionable at Rev
,nde as elsewhere. Counsellor, like
.ourtly bear, was induced to join in its
Whimsical vagaries.
The details of the cotilIon obtaining
t that period do not concern us here.
t is sufficient 20 say that, as a result
# some evolution, by chance or by .
hoice Counsellor found himself with
he countess on a raised dais at one
nd of the room. while Mile Selpdorf
nd Rallywood formed the correspond
ng couple at the other end BetWeen
he dance proceeded, thus leaving the
espective couples virtually isolated for {
few minutes.
1T was delightful of you to come to ]
ur little party tonight" the countess
ras saying TO her companion. Now I
hat you have come TO see me here,
an / not induce you to come also to &
aRdn next week w Z DIRE SpllS Jul q
here for a few days. Do think OF ~ g
You are too kind, my dear madame. s
ut an old man like myself may be out s
f place" t
The countess sighed a little. /
'.Of course you are not at all old"
ne said shaking her head at him, 1
though you are fond of playing the
art But if you want to be old you a
an be old in good company at the b
astle, for the duke will be there-you a
now he is cousin of ours
Counsellor looked back into the blue, 7
Milling eyes. Most men would have
lccumbed TO their innocent flattery. t
o the major they only suggested an I
finite capacity for foolishness. Y
Don't you think we could exchange v
III duke for another, d more interest T
IL one?" she added, misled perhaps a
Y his look. Duke Gustave is SO
raped up in his stupid gambling, "
nd altogether there are many things" S
her speech tailed off inconseQuently h
TO a confused silence.
wanting? Certainly, For example. s.
@ have no duchess" said Counsellor, is
allantly. 1--WE need a pretty duchess. b
ut is il not possible that Nassau may
t boast the most adorable duchess in {,
urope?" a
Countess Isolde started, and flushed
ze a pleased child, and her eyes lit n
= Tr-----~ollns.'S q