The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1907-07-04

| The duke was rather pleased with
| himself He liked to put on his state
uniform, with its blue-gray frock the
white doeskin trousers which strapped
| under the patent-leather boots, the gold
| braid, the silver saber and the little
rope of medals strung across his full,
| broad breast. 1t was thus he created
awe; it was thus he became truly the
sovereign, urbane and majestic.
His valet was buckling on the saber
| belt when there came a respectful tap
| on the door.
Enter" said the duke, frowning.
| One can not assert any particular de-
| gree of dignity with valet at ones
side.
But it was only a corridor attendant
who entered. He approached the
dukes valet and presented letter
For his serene highness." He bowed
and backed out, closing the door
| gently.
At once the valet bowed also and
extended the letter to his master For
mality is fine thing in palace.
"Ah. letter" mused the duke, pro-
ioundly innocent of the viper which
was about to sting him. MY glasses,
Gustav; my eye-glasses!"
The valet hurried to the dresser and
returned with the dukes state eye
glasses. These the duke perched de-
| liberately upon the end of his noble
nose. He opened the letter and read
| It's contents. The valet, watching him
| slyly, saw him grow pale, then red, and
finally purple,-wrath has its rainbow.
His hands shook, the glasses slipped
from his palpitating nose. And grieve
to relate that his serene highness
swore something marvellous to hear.
"Damnation!" he said, or some such
word THE little fool!" Then sud
denly remembering his dignity and the
phrase that no man Is hero to his
valet, he pointed to his glasses, at the
same time returning the letter to its
envelope, this letter which had caused
this momentary perturbation. Call
the minister of police, You will find
him in the smoking-room off the con-
servatory. Make all haste!"
The valet flew out OF the door, while
the duke began pacing up and down
the room muttering and growing, and
balling his fists. and jngling his shin
ing medals. He kicked over an inof-
fensive hassock and his favorlte hound,
ed German oaths he let go. Cts a
mighty hard language to swear in,
especially when mans under high
pressure)
THE silly little fool! And on a
night like this! Curse it This is
what comes of mixing Spanish blood
with German, of letting her aunt's
education. But she shall be brought
back, even if / have TO ask the assist
ance of every sovereign in Europe.
This is the end. And / had planned
such a pleasant evening at cards!'
The duke was not wholly unselfish.
In less than ten minutes time the
valet returned with the minister Of
police. The duke Immediately dis
missed the valet,
Your serene highness sent for me?"
asked the minister shaking in his
boots. There had been four ministers
OF police in three years.
Yes. Read this"
The minister took the letter. He
read 1t with bulging eyes. Good heay-
ems, it must be one of her highness'
jokes!
1T will be a sorry joke for you II
she crosses any OF the frontiers"
But"
But" roared the duke, Don't you
dare bring up that word scandal! I!
Seek her, Turn everybody out,-the
army, the police, everybody When
you locate her. telegraph, and have a
special engine awaiting me at the sta.
tion. And ii you play a poor game of
cards tonight I'll take away your port
folio Remember, if she passes the
frontier, of goes your official head"
And the fellow. who is he?"
THE good Lord only knows! That
girl! Witness these gray hairs.
Put the rascal in irons; I'll attend to
his case when arrive, . , Where is
Steinbock?"
He was arrested this morning in
Berlin; | have already applied for his
extradition."
Good! Now, be off with you Leave
no stone unturned The expense is
nothing; | will gladly pay it out of my
private purse"
'Tll find her" said the minister
grimly His portfolio hung in the bal.
ance.
All at once the duke struck his hands
together iubilantly
What is dt?" asked the minister.
"A clew?"
Nothing nothing Be gone; you
are wasting time"
The minister of police dashed out OF
the room as II pursued by thousand
devils. He knew the dukes mood; 1t
was not one to cross or irrltate No
sooner was he gone than the duke left
his apartments and sought those OF his
niece. II might be Joke; II would do
no harm to find out positively, But
the beautiful suite was empty; even
her hiehness maid Was gone. He thea