The Colonel of the Red Huzzars

d went for a horseback ride into the country. Though I knew about all the roads in the vicinity, I confess it never o

ay further admit that I ordered my horse the night before for no other purpose; and I have no excuse to offer. From

in-and always with the same result: I would enjoy it while it lasted. Afterward-well, afterward would be time enough when

rapidly nearing. Thinking it might be a messenger from the Embassy I swung around i

and figure struck me and I recognized Lady Helen Radnor. Evidently she had already made me out, for she

!" she cried. "One might imagi

hington," said I,

e people that make th

Dornlitz as wel

, la

ceited I would guess

" she

ot conceited

quite the same, the

e no

en ready to believe I fol

ver do tha

d. "We are

ay ride w

o you think I

se's neck. "I am

ght to

it seemed to me, a bit sharply; but sh

all we go

ve no c

Besides, you forget I came here only two d

the Forge and around by the

e the guide

en; we turn to

"--I

ime for breakfast," she cut

hip is a mi

an enough to have

the way," I suggested. (Th

s nothing to eat before Dor

d one that has a brea

al; I know them

ou will take

ll be

have you in Dornlitz

y. "Maybe I'm luc

was folly to be serious with he

sadness, "but I would like to know how many poor devils

u m

most consummate

compliment?

depe

n wh

ay you use

e I ever used it improperly

tion. "You admit

t that I do not like to

t here; there was almos

have you otherw

u say that only because

and happy disposition is a t

to you just now-I am paying it every day o

when he is guilty of bringing on the trouble, he is sure only to make

r notion of me," she said. "I have given you every reas

my hand i

game from the start." (I hope I had the grace to blush; I think I had.) "But the other night, somehow, the game got too fast for me-and I-well, I bungl

ng tones and melting eyes of beauty in distress; and in another moment I should have cut and run like the rankest coward. For, what would you? A handsom

ould not act. I was vacant of ideas. And so she waited; while our horses wal

id, "I owe you an apology

w perfectly well that when a woman is kissed

a bargain," I insisted;

; you didn't imagine I would be angry?-you

in, of course

ly. "You have answer

the instant, though you chose to act otherw

ps. "Confess, that you then t

deliberately to

id, half defiantly, "what mattere

it beautifull

d I proposed playing it all over

me there,"

ged her s

at your going

. "You might, at least, spare me the

us, I assure yo

"I am so sorry to have b

t understand-

you think that a pretty view?" and she pointed with her cr

I know I tried to keep it out of my voice. But I fear I grew altogether too

imagine you a l

harply. "Are my look

ssociate such tastes with professional soldiers. Nature, to them, would no

laughed. "If they did, every lawyer when he saw you would have but the

ink that complime

not so i

rust

to illustrate

make me quarrel wit

ely

s avoid the

rve the peace," I said-"and

ends entirely

the r

your good behavior and-the future." And now, s

d. "Come, let us give the horses

log on a saw-buck-and our route was around it to the left. Just beside the track a spring bubbled out into a wide rock basin. At the basin a tall bay

us upward fling of his head. Then she held ou

then, who likes the ea

of the day," s

swered. Then she laughed. "I forgot, Major Dalberg

offee, I ad

anywhere in parti

Lady Helen; "don't you see Maj

hip?" the Princ

d. "I am very hum

st with me at the Summ

id Lady Helen, without even

too gracious," I prote

ere is only one shaft, sir

n bridle and gallop away. A man is very helpless wit

re. I glanced across and found her eyes on me. I nodded toward the spot where

ry charming r

ess, is it not?" asked Lady Hele

terested in somethi

he horse and little travelled and I enjoy the quiet of the forest."

fixing something about the girth. I wanted to see the Princess go down that tree-lined way as once before I h

farewell. I sprang to saddle and dashed ahead, almost fearing to find her vanished and it only a dream. When I rounded the corner, t

rode into the grounds. I noticed that the Princess acknowledged the salut

the correct o

uch the prettie

why I used it,

t justification,

ists that the Colonel of the Blue Gua

ficer," I said, and used

d Lady Helen. "I would wear the unifo

be otherwise

sir," she s

oned, "or you will be asking, presently, if

agine you on the field

infliction of birth. It belongs to the elde

rown does not follow the Colonelc

p. The Princess was out of saddle as quic

an contrive some excuse," she

isk a royal breakfast i

ng up her skirt; "you wouldn't f

," I retorted, as I

d over her shoulder;

d to be a portion of the Princess' private suite-and was of the s

g Lady Helen, rather than me, "but, if the English Ambass

the American Ambass

don't matter," La

d. "Lady Helen and I have been so concerned for your reputation; you risk

ger," I answered, and looked

n her plate; but Lady Helen

haved, sir, I'll take yo

premium on a continua

ghness; he hasn't fin

wise," the Pr

You see, I've known Major Da

met before the n

gotten that I myself had told her, on the

ners in Washington," Lady Helen expla

was it, Major Dalberg?" Dehra aske

ease," exclaimed Lady Hel

Helen is, in herself, the best an

p in the corridor and the

iful old-fashion; "it is a pleasure to see you here again." Then he bent and kissed Dehra on the

about him forget his crown and see only the quiet-mannered gentleman. With a word of

"you've been

sm

first breakfast with H

her

u have often met he

gain a

d to meet her th

," she said, with a shrug. "Yo

m always the last to detect a

me through hal

ch m

look in kind. "W

should I deliberately bring you and

ndeed?"

Blood:-the Palac

hand sharply

e window, with a derisive smile. "True,

e no

would be a trifle dif

would ask an expla

you would have

easy," I said

with Lady Helen Radnor, on the terrace at the Birthday Ball, that you told her the secret o

I, looking her in the eye. "I p

stantly. "You don't

d. "I trust you entirely

I had no appointment

wish it,

the Princess ret