Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-09

HIS progeny ID the QlrecL line nave sat from then till this very hour--with one short interval. And, finally, if you walk through the picture galleries at Burlesdon, among the fifty portraits or so of the last century and a half you will find five or six, including that of the sixth earl, distinguished by long, sharp, straight noses and a quantity of dark red hair; these five or six have also blue eyes, whereas among the Rassendylls dark eyes are the con- moner.
 That is the explanation, and I am glad to have finished it. The blemishes on honorable lineage are delicate sub ject, and certainly this heredity we hear so much about is the finest scan- dalmonger in the world: it laughs at discretion and writes strange entries between the lines of the "peerages."
 It vii. be observed that my sister-in- law, with a want of logic that must have been peculiar to herself (since we are no longer allowed to lay it to the charge of her sex), treated my com plexion almost as an offense for which I was responsible, hastening to assume from that external sign inward quail ities of which I protest my entire in- nocence. and this unjust inference she sought to buttress by pointing to the uselessness of the life had led We'll, be that as it may, had picked up a good deal of pleasure and good deal of knowledge. I had been to a Ger man school and a German university and spoke German as readily and per fectly as English; was thoroughly at home in French; had a smattering of Italian and enough Spanish to swear by. was, believe, a strong, though hardly fine. swordsman and good shot. I could ride anything that had back to sit on and my head was as cool one as you could find, for all its flaming cover. If you say that ought to have spent my time in useful labor I am out of court and have nothing to say. save that my parents had no busi- ness to leave me f2,000 year and a rowing disposition. .
 "The difference between you and Robert" said my sister-in-law, who of- ten (bless herb speaks on a platform and oftener still as if she were on one, ''is that he recognizes the duties of his position and you only see the opportun- ities of yours"
 'To a man of spirit, my dear Rose," answered. opportunities are duties"
 "Nonsense!" said she. tossing her head And after a moment she went on, Now here's Sir Jacob Borrodaile offering you exactly what you might be equal to-"
 "A thousand thanks"' I murmured.
 Hes to have an embassy in six months, and Robert says he is sure that he'll take you as an attache. Do take 1t. Rudolf. to please me-" Now, when my sister-in-law puts the matter in that way, wrinkling her pretty brows. twisting her little hands and growing wistful In the eyes, all on account of an idle scamp like myself. for whom she has no natural responsi- bility. I am visited with compunction. Moreover, I thought it possible that I could pass the time in the position sug- gested with some tolerable amuse- ment. Therefore I said:
 My dear sister. if in six months time no unforeseen obstacle has arisen and Sir Jacob invites me. hang me if I don't go with Sir Jacob"'
 "Oh. Rudolf. how good of you. I am gladr'
 Where's he going top
 "He doesn't know yet, but it's sure to be good embassy"
 Madam" said I, flor your sake I'll 20 if it's no more than a beggarly lega-' ton. 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 eternity. and inasmuch as they stretch cd between me and my prospective in- dustry q suppose attaches are indus trious: but know not. for never be- came attache to Sir Jacob or to any body else> I cast about for some de- sira5le mode of spending them. And IL occurred to me suddenly that would visit Ruritania. It may seem strange that I had never visited that country yet, but my father Gin spite of sneaking fondness for the Elph- bergs. which led him to give me. his second son, the famous Elphberg name of Rudolf had always been averse to my going. and since his death my brother. prompted by Rose. had ac- cepted the family tradition which taught that a wide berth was to be given 10 that co-Rtry.
 But the moment Ruritania had come Into my head was eaten up with GU riOsity to see if. After all. red hair and long noses are not confined 10 the house of Elphberg. and the old story seemed q preposterously insufficient reason for debarring myself from ac- quaintance with a highly interesting and important kingdom. one which had played no small part in European his tory and might do the like again un- ~A e- Sa " sS~Ms aAu httDho0s ruler. such as the new king was ru- mored to De My determination was ciinched by reading in the Times that Rudolf V. was to be crowned at StreI- sau in the course of the next three weeks and that great magniicence was to mark the occasion At once made up my mind to be present and began my preparations. But inasmuch