The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1894-12-08
summer he,


summer heat.
The harbor of Vallctta wore the
usual aspect of European animation.
The Russian Corvette Ladislas had just
cast anchor, having on board young
grand duke, who was making the tour
of the world in leisurely and princely
fashion. Mercantile steamers came
and went, amid pulling tugs,
launches and yachts, while the native
shore craft, the dhjaisos, darted about
laden with fresh fruit, or transporting
nimblc tailors and washerwomen in
search of work. Occasionally tor
pelo boat of sinister appearance
glidcd through the throng of ship
ping, and vanished in some adjacent
inlet, or the gig of a man-of-war cleft
passage with rhythmical flash and
dip of oars, toward the quay.
One OF the latter, quitting the side
of her majesty's ship Sparrow, recent
ay arrived from Suda Bay, brought
Flag Lieutenant Curzon to the shore.
The young man made his way
through noisy crowd, and assembled
the steps to the city of Valletta.
Below him stretched the sparkling
Mediterranean sea, and docks and
moles thronged with shipping. Above
him, towers, churches, palaces, with
quaint balconies and margin of
stone wall, rose with background of
blue sky. His eye was attracted by
wayside shrincs at the angle of build
: ings where lamps burned before saints
gaudily adorned, shops displaying fila
gree ornaments of gold and silver, and
whole webs of Maltese lace, and
groups of soldiers, nuns and priests.
His nostrils were salutcd by the fra
GRANGE of flowers, coffee and those
latent odors of the southern seaport
garlic and fish frying in oil. His ear
was stunned by the tangled peal of
church bells, mingled with the hum of
voices.
Lieut. Arthur Curzon was supple and
vigorous of form, and alert and de-
cided in manner. His golden hair
curled tightly on small and shapely
head, closely trimmed beard framed
handsome face, with clearly-cut
features and lighted by a pair of keen
blue eyes, capable of great variety
of expression. The sun bronzed tint
of the cheek, below the margin of
fair and open brow, revealed by the
removal Of the cap, and certain ac-
centuations of resolution and maturity
gradually deepening around the lips,
alone redeemed the entire physiog-
nomy from youthful insouciance and
merry audacity which were eminently
attractive and boyish.
Climbing the stone steps from the
port to the old town on the height of
this most populous of islands, he may
have aptly represented that,
"lhc sword Of war opens the way Of COM
merce''N ~
Truly the officer was ready to cope
with any adventure or danger which
fate might have in store for him on
this day of ftful spring weather.
lie came of a family noted for in
trcpid courage and originality of mind
and character A commonplace world,
devoid of enthusiasm, pronounced the
rae, eccentric, perhaps a trifle mad.
Descended from Scandinavian sea
ruvcrs, who had settled on the north
ern coast of Scotland centuries ago,
the Curzons numbered prelates, sol
dicrs. and faithful followers of the
Stuarts among their members.
The first object ever noticed by
Arthur Curzon in infancy had been the
portrait of an ancestor suspended
above the chimney-piece in his grand
fathers castle, wearing a helmet of
different colored metals, gold chain
around the neck, and carrying horn
OF the chase, studded with precious
stones.
Lieut. Curzon had won honorable
mention at the storming of Alexan-
dIia. and aspircd to promotion in the
service by fresh exertion, when oppor-
tunity offered. For the rest, he was a
sailor on shore for a holiday.
lie directed his steps to the Strada
Zccca, and paused before palace of
sou,ber aspect with projecting roof
which cast deep shadow on the pave
mcnt below The memory of the
Knights Templar seemed to brood
over the spot, undisturbed by modern
innovation or change
The visitor was met at the door by
servant with the intelligence that the
mistress of the house was absent on
M excursion. Mrs. Griffith had left
u charming note. written on pink pa
rcc. in three lines Of gigantic feminine
c..rography, urging the young officer