Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-03-14

IVA sz39ss. weeks Of rain, and
ss& rssssisss,. already suggested
"a, -. the speedy Up
proach Of blighting
summer heat
The harbor Of Nalletta wore the
usual aspect of European animation.
The Russian Corvette Ladislas had just
cast anchor, having on board a young
grand duke, no 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
nimble tailors and washerwomen in
search of work Occasionally Il tor
pcdo boat of sinister appearance
glidcd through the throng of ship
ping, and vanished in some adjacent
sulet, or the gig OF man-of-war cleft
a passage with rhythmical fash and
din Of oars toward the quay.
One OF the latter. quitting the side
of her majesty's ship Sparrow, recent
" 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 shrines 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 saluted 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 a small and shapely
head, a closely trimmed beard framed
a handsome face with clearly-cut
features and lighted by u pair Of keen
blue eyes, capable of great variety
of expression The sum bronzed tint
of the cheek. below the margin Of
fair and open brow, revealed by the
removal Of the cap, and certain ne
centuations Of resolution and maturity
gradually deepening around the lips,
al IL ~,
nomy from youthful insoucanee ana
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
The sword of war opens the way of com
1nerce"
Truly the officer was ready to cope
with any adventure or danger which
fate might have in store for him on
this day Of titful spring weather.
He came of a family noted FOR in
trepid courage and originality of r,iud
and character A commonplace won ia,
devoid of enthusiasm, pronounced tae
race eccentric, perhaps "A trile mad
Descended from scandinavian sea
rovcrs who had settled on the north
ern coast of Scotland centuries ago,
the Curzons numbered prelates sol
diers, 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