The Colonel of the Red Huzzars | Page 3

Courtney quickly, lifting his own and
clicking mine.
I looked at the picture again--and again it seemed to smile at me.
"The Princess!" I echoed; and we drank the toast. "We're a pair of old
fools," said I, when the glasses were emptied.
Courtney picked up the News and held the picture before me.
"Say that to her," he challenged.
"I can't be rude to her very face," I answered lamely.
Just then one of the "buttons" handed me a telegram. I tore open the
yellow envelope and read the sheet, still damp from the copy-press. It
ran:--
"Titia declares war. Detail as attaché open. If desired report at
headquarters immediately. Hennecker relieves you in morning.
Answer."
"(signed) HENDERSON, A. A. G."
I tossed it over to Courtney. "You're that much nearer the dinner," I
said.
"And the Princess also," he added.
"Then you're actually going?" I asked.
"My dear Major, did you ever doubt it?"
"Your vagaries are past doubting," I answered.
"And yours?"

"I am going under orders of the War Department."
"Of course," he answered, "of course. And, that being so, you won't
mind my confessing that I'm going largely on account of--a woman."
"I won't mind anything that gives me your companionship."
"So, it's settled," he said. "Let us have some dinner, and then cut in for
a farewell turn in the game of hearts upstairs."
"It will be another sort of game over the water," I observed.
"Yes--with a different sort of hearts," he said thoughtfully.
"Is it possible, Courtney, you are growing sentimental?" I demanded.
He shrugged his shoulders. "There's no fool like an old fool, you
know," he answered.
"Unless it be one that is just old enough to be neither old nor young,"
said I.
Then we went in to dinner.
Courtney is a good fellow; one of the best friends a man can have; well
born, rich, with powerful political connections in both Parties, and
having no profession nor necessary occupation to tie him down. His
tastes ran to diplomacy, and Secretaries of State--knowing this fact, and
being further advised of it at various times by certain prominent
Senators--had given him numerous secret missions to both Europe and
South America. Legations had been offered to him but these he had
always declined; for, as he told me, he preferred the quiet, independent
work, that carried no responsible social duties with it.
It happened that General Russell, our representative at the Court of
Valeria, was home on vacation. Naturally, he would now return in all
haste. Here, I imagined, was an explanation of my sudden orders. He
was an intimate of our family; had known me since childhood, and,
doubtless, had asked for my detail to his household, and also for

Courtney's. And Courtney, naturally, having been early consulted in the
matter, knew all the facts and so was able to bluff at me with them. It
would be just as well to call him.
"Is General Russell crossing with us?" I asked carelessly.
Courtney shook his head. "He is not going back to Valeria."
"Oh!" said I, realizing suddenly my mistake, "I didn't appreciate I was
dining with an Ambassador."
"It's not yet announced. However, I'm glad it does not change me," he
laughed.
"I can tell that better after we reach Valeria--and you have danced with
the Princess."
He sipped his coffee meditatively. "Yes, there may be changes in
Valeria in us both," he said presently.
"Don't do the heavy reproof if I chance to forget the difference in our
rank," I answered. "But you must manage one turn for me with Her
Royal Highness, if you're to eat my dinner, you know."
"How many times have you been to Valeria?" he asked suddenly.
"Some half dozen," I replied, surprised.
"Ever been in the private apartments of the Palace of Dornlitz?"
"No--I think not."
"I mean, particularly, the corridor where hang the portraits of the
Kings?"
"I don't recall them."
He laughed shortly. "Believe me, you would recall them well," he said.

"What the devil are you driving at?" I asked.
"I'll show you the night you dance with the Princess."
"A poor army officer doesn't usually have such honors."
"No--not if he be only a poor army officer. But, if he chance to be----"
"Well," I said, "be what?"
"I'll tell you in the picture gallery," he answered.
And not another word would he say in the matter.

II
CONCERNING ANCESTORS
However, I did not need to wait so long for my answer. I knew it quite
as well as Courtney--maybe a trifle better. Nevertheless, it is a bit
jolting to realize, suddenly, that some one has been prying into your
family history.
On the west wall of the Corridor of Kings, in the Palace of Dornlitz,
hung the full-length portrait