Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-08-24

culfhed I0rLn Lue seventh n0ufs n
she rang for her maid. IT was time
that she began dressing.
Thus, for the present, | shall leave
her. There are several reasons why
my imagination should take this step;
for, what should | know Of a woman's
toilet, save in the general mysterious
results? However. / feel at liberty to
steal into the dukes dressing-room
Here, while ! am not positive what
happened. at least | can easily bring
] my imagination to bear upon the pic
| tgre.)
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. It was thus he created
awe; It was thus he became truly the
sovereign, uTbane 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 a not assert any particular de-
gree of dignity with a valet at ones
| side.
But 1t was only a corridor attendant
who entered. He approached the
dukes valet and presented a letter.
For his serene highness." He bowed
Il and hanEnd atat rTacfy0 the ANar
gently.
At once the valet bowed also and
extended the letter to his master. For
mality is a fine thing in a palace.
"Ah, a letter" unused the duke, pro-
foundly Innocent of the viper which
was about TO sting him. my glasses,
Gustav; my eyeglasses"
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 mar is a hero TO his
valet, he pointed to his glasses, at the
same time returning the letter to it's
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 few out of the door, while
the duke began pacing up and down
the room, muttering and growing, and
balling his fists, and jingling his shin
ing medals. He kicked over an inof-
fensive hassock and his favorite hound,
and don't know how many long-wind-
ed German oaths he let go. Cts a
mighty hard language to swear in,
especially when a mans under high
pressure.)
The silly little fool! And on a
night like thisl Curse it, This is
what m of mixing Spanish blood
with German. of letting her aunt's
wishes override mine in the matter of
education. But she shall be brought
back. ever 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 vas 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 peer four ministers
of police in three years.
Yes. Read this"
The minister took the letter. He
read it with bulging eyes. Good heav-
ems, It must be n of her highness'
jokes!"
1T will be a sorry joke for you II
she crosses any of the frontiers"
But"
Butt" roared the duke. Don't you
H 00lO piih5 w Ahdl WI oCddludls
Seek her. Turn everybody out,-the
army, the police, everybody. When
you locate her, telegraph, and have a
| special engine awaiting M at the sta
| ton. And If you play a poor game of
cards tonight I'll take away your port
folio. Remember, if she passes the
frontier, off goes your official headi"
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
| S~teinbock?"
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 1t out of my
| private purse"
"1ll find her" said the minister
Il oriu,Iy ufe DortfOIfo hung II Tho haI