The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-01-27


Bienheim. the Austrian government
took possession of the Dukedom of
Friedeck and until lately the family
have remained IN exile. 1t was only
year ago that the present duke re-
gained his rights and all the great es-
tates. He was introduced TO us by no
less a person than Nine Koluchy-ah, 1
see you start. You have heard of her,
of course?"
who has rot?" 1 replied.
do you know here"
81 have met her" ] said. IT was
with an effort l could command the un-
goVornable excitement which seized
me at the mere mention Of this WO-
mans name.
"She dimes with us next week." con-
tinued De Brett; "a wonderful woman,
wonderful. Her cures are marvellous;
but that is after all the least part of
her interesting personality. She is so
fascinating, so wise and good natured,
that men and women alike fall at her
feet. AS to Geraldine, she has taken
an immense fancy to her.
Where did you first meet herr"
asked.
''In Scotland last summer She was
staying with my old friends, the Camp
bells, for q couple of nights, and Erie
deck was also one of the guests. If sire
rather expect SO from your manner
Will you dine with US again next
Thursday ia order to meet her? We arc
going down to my place. Forest Manor,
in Essex, and Madame is to stay with
us for couple OF nights. We expect
quite a large party and can give you
a beG-will you Gomez"
Il wish 7 could, but ] fear il will be
impossible" I replied. 1T is true that
To- l. 81. l..
of. Don't ask me any more at the
moment. De Brett. The fact is your
news has excited me. you will say I'M
reasonably"
De Brett gazed at me with earnest
ness.
You have fallen under the spell Of
the most beautiful woman IL London"
he said. lis that so. Head?"
You may put it that way if you
like" 1 said after a somewhat pro-
longed pause. but / cannot explain
OF my deep interest i'm this matter
Pray tell me anything more YOU hap
pen to know with regard 10 the Duke
Of Friedeck."
You certainly are a strenge fellow"
said my host. You are wearing at
the present moment an air OF quite
painful mystery. However. here goes.
You wish to hear about the duke-I
have nothing but good to tell OF him.
He is rich man. and dabbles now and
then on the stock exchange but not TO
any serious extension. A week ago he
arranged for loan from my bank, de-
posting as security some of the most
splendid diamonds / have ever seen.
They are worth a kings ransom. and
each stone is historical He brought
the diamonds away from The estates
in Bavaria and they are to be reset
and presented to Geraldine Just before
the wedding"
How large was the amount Of the
loan?" I asked.
De Brett raised his eyebrows He
evidently thought that ] was infringing
on the privilege even of an old friend.
Compared with the security the
loan was a trifiing one" ne said, after
q pause; not more than 10000. Erie
deck Will pay me back next week i'm
order to have them ready to present to
Geraldine on her wedding day
And when do you propose that the
wedding shall take placer J continued.
"Ah, you have me there. Head: that
is the painful part. You know what
my motherless girl is To Newell the
duke insists upon taking her away be-
tween now and Christmas. They are
to spend Christmas in the old feadal
style. In the old castle in Bavaria II
is a great wrench parting from the lit
tie one but she Will be happy I
never met man i took more warmly
TO than Karl, Duke OF Friedeck. You
can see for yourself that the child is
devoted to him"
Il can" ] said. Il will wish YOU
good night now, De Brett. BE assured
once again of my warm interest in all
that concerns you and Geraldine"
1 shook hands with my host, and a
moment later found myself iE thu
street. / called a hanson and desired
the man to drive straight to Dufrayers
fat III Shaftesbury avenue. He had
Just come in and welcomed me eager
".
"By all that's fortunate, Head" he
exclaimed I was just on my way 10
see you"
Then we have well met" an
swered. "Dufrayer, have come here
on most important matter But first
OF ali tell me. have you ever heard
of the Duke of Friedeck?"
1.-THE Duke of Friedeck." cried Du-
I frayer why. Il was on that very sub
( ject / wished to see you. You have, OF
course, observed the announcement OF
his approaching marriage in the society
papers p"
| 1 nave, i repned. he Is engaged
to Geraldine de Brett. 1 have beer
dining at De Brett's house tonight and
met the duke at dinner. De Brett has
been telling me all about him. Du-
frayer, j have learned to my consterna-
/ ton that the man was introduced tc
/ the lie Bretts by Nine. Koluchy. That
fact is quite enough TO arouse my sus-
piciops. but see you have something
to communicate on your own account
What is it2''
"Sit down, Head. You know, Of
course. that 7 am having Madame
Watched Tie Duke OF Friedeck is be-
yond doubt one OF her satellites, and ]
am strongly inclined TO think that shss
/ is a new plot brewing"
Just my opinion" / replied; but
/ tell me what you know"
81 was coming to see You, for / hoped
that you might remember the dukes
name from your old association with
the brotherhood"
Il do not recall it. but names NEAR
rcthing. The man is handsome. and
has the manners of n gentleman. Wher
/ he entered De Bret's drawing room I
thought for a nome Mt that ] must have
/ met him before but that idea OuiclSl,