The Colonel of the Red Huzzars

ell as Courtney-maybe a trifle better. Nevertheless, it is a bit jolting to

enry, third of the name and tenth of the Line. A hundred and more years had passed since he went to his

arn of this resemblance to my famous ancestor. For, handed down from eldest son to eldest son, since the first Dalberg cam

I chanced to be of the bloo

Frederick, the elder son, in due time came to the throne and, dying, passed the title to his o

Casimir, King of Titia,-and

nd the inborn hostility to England that, even then, had existed in the Valerians for a hundred years, Hugo watched with quickening interest the struggle between the North American Colonies and Great Britain which began in 1775. When

s' fortunes waned, he at last determined to brave his fierce old father and join the struggling American army w

end,-too quietly, indeed, to presa

such would be scarce fitting for a Dalberg. Neither is it fitting that a Prince of Valeria should fight against a country with which I am at peace. Therefore, the day you

ry's was not obscure. Indeed, Hugo remembered it so well that he made it a sort of preface in the Journal which he began some months

im colonel of a regiment of horse; and, as such, he served to the close of the war. When the Continental Army was disbanded, he purchased a place upon the

sapeake the Valerian Minister to America and, with many bows and genuflections, presented a letter from his brother Frederick, announcing

he heritage of the eldest son. In his soldier days his nearest comrade had been Armand, Marquis de la Rouer

lways was it the head of the family, as in my case. For the rest, we buried our royal descent. And though it was, naturally, well known to my grea

aware of the relationship; but this was absurdly unlikely, Courtney was not one to stop at half a truth and Dalberg was no common name. Doubtless the picture had first put him on the track a

ick's minister had rumbled away from that mansion on the Chesapeake, a century and more ago, there had been no word passed between us.

th the desire to see the land of my people. It was a breaking of our most solemn canon, yet I broke it none the less. Nor was that the only time. However, I

mpertinently by some officer of the Guards and I knew he had noted my resemblance to the national hero. I never made any effort to b

s such he clean forgot to return my salute; and a glance back showed him at a stand and gazing after me. I kne

orse. She was alone,-no groom in sight,-and drawing rein I dismounted and asked if I could be of service. Then I saw her face,

ghness's pardon," I said. "

aid, with a frank smile. "I have lost the groom,-his horse was too s

ING ANC

he mare's hoof. Pressing back the fro

so easy,

exceedingly, but s

I may

bo

rting Lotta

d. Then there was the swish of a riding skirt, the glint of a patent-leather boot, a

ack and rai

slowly; then bent and

e no

aid presently, with a

oom," said I, lookin

You won't," she said. "He

r Highnes

ok so stupid,"

en's looks a

she is waiting for you to mou

groom?"

long as you ride beside me

t the vault and

ask for your attend

dared not

ion in your loo

. She had

an American officer

ssed most shrewdly," I

ng at the Emba

t on the staff. I am o

ow General

answered, evasively, and turned t

lay the Summer Palace and the gates of the Park were but

ful for your cou

r to be grateful for y

g into my poor brain-"A woman usu

bo

mstances she likes to kn

my cousinship? I was sorely tempted. Then I saw what a m

l Highness, and your m

ied my face an instant, then said, with a pause b

ral-S

wered. "We do not climb

ks three miles away, came

I must hasten. Good-bye, mon Ca

d her hand. I bent and kissed,-possib

And then, half under my breath

t smile. "'Auf Wiederseh

he rod

full glory of the sinking sun upon her, and the shadows of the great trees close on either

e has told it (which, somehow, I doubt), none knows it but ourselves. I had never seen her since. Perhaps t