The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-09
CHAPTER VII.
A Question of the Guard.

n 9utSltOl VI Tie oudIU
The really great strategist is not the
man who loves an intricate plot. His
method is simple-he Eliminates.
On a certain cold morning, when the
sun shone pinkly through a sea haze
over the glitteriug roofs of Revonde, d
| review of the guard. and of a few reg
| iments that happened TO be stationed
within a short distance of the capital,
was to be held, in honor of the duke 5
! birthday. on the spacious parade
ground of the guard, which occupied
the whole of a small plateau lying high
between the beetling hills behind the
| barracks.
Baron Won Elmur paid an early visit
to the chancellor on his way to the re-
view, and found NJ. Se1pdorf, though
brisk and urbane as ever, little diff
ficult
we do not progress. monsieur" FL
muir was saying.
What would you, my dear baron
/ We have so many obstacles in our
path" answered the other. Struggling
his shoulders. good humoredly.
Elmur leaned his elbow on the table.
good end ne said. You have agreed
that a certain course is desirable no
less for your country than mine"
Have | agreed to that proposition?
Not altogether! Remember, l cannot be
expected to see with German eyes,
Even to the most patriotic Maasaun
it must be evident that sooner or later
the state must fall to us. 1t is merely
a question of time
The time has already been long"
said the chancellor, softly.
For an excellent reason; because we
have not always been. as now. a huge
bulk. The bulk of the new empire must
by force of gravitation attract all the
smaller bodies round it to itself. 1t is
by miracle only that Nassau has
stood alone so long"
And by another miracle she might
go on standing along little longer"
This is not the age of miracles, my
friend
Il remember also something which
your excellency forgets," said Selpdorf,
with a touch of sadness in his voice,
that there have been Selpdorfs help
ing in this miracle of the independence
of Nassau for generations
Elmu~ altered his attitude with open
Impotence.
You are a far-sighted patriot mon
sieur. 1t is needless to repeat that if
Nassau joins the confederation of the
empire by her own act she will do so on
very different terms TO any which
could possibly be conceded to state
that had forced upon us the unpleasant
necessity of coercion. Remember Frank
furt She paid for her obstinacy.
Whereas. we are prepared to deal gen.
erously toward those who cast in their
lot with ours. Besides" he added. sig
Il am urging you to consult
not only the interests of Nassau, but
your own also
They are the same. and it is difficult
to know where our true interest lies
said Selpdorf. thoughtfully. DO You
go to the castle at Sagan next week?"
The abrupt change of subject seemed
to have it's effect upon Elmur. He
turned away from the table. crossed
his legs and lit a cigarette in a leisure
ly manner before he answered.
Yes, and you, MONSTER
Il have no inclination for these gale !
ties. but my daughter goes" Won Ell
muir shot a glance at his companion.
ITO repeat my own words-we do not I
progress. my dear Selpdorf.'
so? Women finesse in these affairs, /
Valerie follows the custom of her sex, |
and perhaps she has become little 1
spoiled by overmuch admiration. Were /
she aware of your-wishes, it would |
solve many of the present doubts.
lit takes two to make that especial |
kind of bargain said Elmur, with a
curious smile, lone to ask, the other to |
grant. am prepared to oct ---'---- -,