Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-11
BY ANTHONY HOPE.
Copyright. 1894. 1893. BY Henry Holt & Coz

with conjunction. Moreover, thought II
possible that 1 could pass the time in the
position suggested with some tolerable
amusement. Therefore 1 said:
MY dear sister, IL in six months time
no unforeseen obstacle has arisen. and
Sir Jacob invites me. hang me If don't
go with Sir jacob"
90 Rudolf. how good of youl am
Where's he going tor
HE doesn't know yet. but It's sure to be
good embassy"
MADAME" said I. "for your sake I'll
go If It's no more than a beggarly legation.
When I do a thing don't do it by halves. "
My promise, then, was given; but six
months are six months and seem an eter-
nifty. and inasmuch as they stretched be-
suppose attaches are industrious, but /
know not, for never became attache to
Sir Jacob or to anybody else) 1 cast about
for some desirable mode Of spending them.
And 1t occurred to me suddenly that I
would visit Ruritania. It may seem strange
that I had never visited that country yet.
but my father Tin spite of sneaking fond
ness for the Elphbergs. which led him to
give me, his second son, the famous Elph-
berg name Of RUDOLF had always been
averse to my going, and since his death my
brother, prompted by Rose, had accepted
the family tradition which taught that q
wide berth was to be given to that country.
But the moment Ruritania had come into
my head I was eaten up with curiosity to
see It. After all, red hair and long noses
are not confined to the House Of Elphberg,
and the old story seemed a preposterously
insufficient reason for debarring myself
from acquaintance with a highly interest
ing and important kingdom, one which had
played no small part in European history
and might do the like again under the
sway of a young and vigorous ruler, such
as the new king was rumored to be- My
determination was clinched by reading In
the Times that Rudolph the Fifth was to be
In
next three weeks, and that great magnifi-
cence was to mark the occasion. At once I
made up my mind to be present, and began
my preparations. But inasmuch as it has
never been my practice to furnish my rela-
tives with an itinerary of my journeys, and
in this case anticipated opposition to my
wishes, l gave out that was going for q
ramble in the Tyrol-an old haunt of mine
and propitiated Roses wrath by declaring
that l intended to study the political and
social problems of the interesting COM
munity which dwells in that neighborhood.
Perhaps" l limited darby, there may
be an outcome of the expedition"
What do you mean?" she asked.
WELL" said I carelessly, there seems a
gap that might be filled by an exhaustive
"Oh! will you write book?' she cried,
clapping her hands. That would be SPLEEN
did. wouldn't it, Robert?"
Its the best of introductions to political
life nowadays" observed my brother. who
AdcS Wy LILO way, lulIOQuCCQ ulIuSSll III
this manner several times over. Burlesdon
on Ancient Theories and Modern Facts
and THE Ultimate Outcome" by a Politi-
cal Student, are both works Of recognized
eminence.
II believe you are right, Bob. my boy"
said I.
Now promise you'll do it, said Rose
earnestly.
mo, won't promise; but II find enough
material I WILL
That's fair enough" said Robert
"Ohl material doesn't matter she said,
pouting.
But this time she could get no more than
a qualified promise out of me. To tell the
truth. I would have wagered a handsome
sum that the story of my expedition that
summer would stain no paper and spon not
a single pen. And that shows how little we
know what the future holds, for here am
fulfilling my qualified promise and writing,
as never thought to write, book-though
1t will hardly serve as an introduction to
political life and has not jot to do with
the Tyrol.
Neither would 1t, I fear, please Lady
Burlesdon, II were to submit it to her
critical eye-a step which I have no inten-
ton Of taking.