Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-23
CHAPTER XII.
Anthony Unfair.

AntnOhy hzlhr.
No one could have gathered, from the quiet
aspect OF Rallywood's tall, soldierly figure,
that a whirl of emotion was passing through
his brain. Yet above all rose one dominant
sensation-a vast relief. Counsellor shared
his own opinion with regard to Valerie. Her
daring words to the duke had no serious
meaning. They were only the natural
echo of a girls preference for a
young and beautiful woman to preside over
the court, rather than the bloated rake who
now lolled uneasily in the chair before him.
He recalled the forlorn little smile with
which she had accepted Won Elmur's lover
like protestations at Nine. de Sagan's door,
way. Its forlornness had been lost upon
Unfair, who had drawn but one merciless
conclusion from the little scene. Close on
the heels of these reflections a vivid recol-
lection rose before Rallywood's mind OF the
first night he had met her. The lights and
music of the grand saloon Of Sagan died
away and he was standing again on the ridge
below the Hotel du Chancellor, looking out
over the %glimmering lamps Of Revonde,
dominated, as always, by the regnant red
eye of the guards dome, and he felt once
more that strange new warmth and thrill
in his veins which, at the time, he had be-
lieved to be born of an opening career beset
with danger and difficulty. Tonight, how
ever, he judged more clearly; he knew that
his dull life had been rekindled and his am
billions had taken fresh fire from the dark
! starlit eyes Valerie Selpdorf had raised to
| his in the chancellor's anteroom two months
ago.
Captain Rallywood!"
Hollywood started. The duke made him
a sign to approach. Then, rising from his
chair, he took the young mans arm, and
leaning heavily upon 1t, moved toward the
card room, meeting Unfair with Mademoi-
selle Selpdorf on the way.
Hey, Mademoiselfe Valerie" he stopped
abruptly, would you teach my guards
treason?"
ITO teach your highness' guards treason
is IMPOSSIBLE" replied Valerie, with a slight
lifting Of her proud head.
1.-THE influence of a beautiful woman has
no limit" retortcd the duke.
Valerie's red lips trembled.
Generations have already proved the
fidelity of the Selpdorfs has also no limit.
But / beg you to accept an apology for my
foolish words"
"But such words from a Sefpdorf!"
w have always been loyal, sire"
The duke shook his head sadly.
"But the world changes-what has been is
not. And the first reason nowadays why a
thing should no longer be Is the fact
that once II was!"
Valerie was almost as tall as the duke
himself. and she looked level into his weary
eyes.
Have we changed with the world, sire %
"Not-yet," replied the duke, bitterly:
then, struck, as 1t seemed, with the intrinsic
spirit Of the young imperial face gazing into
his own, he added; Though you tempt a
man to believe in you, mademoiselle!"
II say this before your highness and these
gentlemen OF your guard" Valerie said, her
eyes flashing. May the Selpdorf, who
ceases to be true to your highness and to
Nassau, die!"
In after time events brought back the
vehement words TO the minds OF the three
who heard them.
And / say. 'Amen!'" The duke took
her hand and added, (Which proves, Va
lerie, that you have conquered your old
friend, Gustave of Nassau. Come, Captain
Hollywood, half an hours play and then TO
bed"
Valerie looked up at Unfair, as she walked
beside him.
And yet you would not believe me?"
Comet" was Unziar's reply.
She faid her hand within his arm and
passed silently through the reception rooms
beside him.
she ieh thar the time had come when
Unfair could nc more be put off by the
little wiles and eyasions a woman employs
who has nothing to give to the man who
loves her but a definite answer. Two luxuri-
Gus chairs stood ready for occupants in the
nook TO which he led her, but he had no
thought to give to conyentionalities. He
stocd before her keen and white and desper-
ate with doubt.
valerie. what does all this mean?"
Though only a girl in years. Valerie was
a woman in experience. Experience, not
gained eltogether at first hand. be it under
stood. but such as a clever woman easily
gathers frcm the lives of those about her.
AS the motherless daughter of NJ. Selpdort
she had had exceptional opportunities.
Thrown into the midst OF a brilliant but