Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-05-13
CHAPTER lv.-(continued.)

He came back to consciousness
just before he died.. she said. in a
faint voice, "and he whispered to me
toislools after Fitzroy. They'll go for
the little chap now he said. They've
done for me, old girl Then he said,
God bless youH and those were the
last words he ever spoke. He was
dead in an hour.
"From that day to this, Michael,
nothing has ever happened, except
once. i received letter about a year
ago. From the postmark 1t had been
posted In the West Central district.
1t was a square sheet of paper on
which few words were typewriter.
! forget the exact words. though l
have the paper locked away, and /
have never liked to look at it since.
But the words were to the effect that
might think myself very happy and
love my little son very much, but that
u should pay in bitter sorrow for my
happiness. The words were quite
plain and brutal. The man you got
to marry you and to whom you bore
Q child, they said, has gone from. you
forever. But there is fate stronger
than you can fight against which will
take your child from you also Then
1t will be your turn. Husbandless,
you shall drag out long and painful
life In an agony that you can only
guess at. but which is as sure and
4 Inevitable as the passing of time.'''
Michael started up his hands
clenched, his eyes blazing with pity
and anger. The duchess raised her
beautiful white hands and her head
fell into them, while she shook with a
storm of agonized tears inexpressibly
dreadful to see.
IN. Oh she sobbed, 1--WE never told
any one, but 1t has been hanging over
me all these years. And now it has
come at last. They have taken my
boy. The blow has fallen. Michael
am the most unhappy woman in
England"
He did not know what he could do
4 or say in the presence Of a grief so
dreadful, a sorrow SO sinister and
strange. He knelt down beside her
and gently took one trembling hand in
his.
There is only one thing that you
can do. Beatrice" he said, In low,
steady voice. You can trust in me.
am strong. am not afraid swear
that / will penetrate this mystery,
vanquish these dreadful terrors of
yours. find Fitz for you, and bring
what seems to be foul conspiracy to
the light
She raised her head swiftly and
looked him straight In the face. The
tears were still, yelling up in the love-
~ eyes, the perfect mouth was drawn
into sweet piteousness, like wound
ed rose. But there was slight hope
upon her face as she answered him. 4
y feel this" she said, gravely; 'in
Ill my agony feel this. 1t is a great
relief ohaye told you everything. we
shall know more about it all very
y soon. when the people we have sent
for come; and meanwhile
And meanwhile he broke in, II
am going to devote my Whole self to
yonr service. OF course, the hidden
+ ngure behind It all is
She nodded with a little frightened
nod. s'It must be- she whispered.
Tell me, Z he said, aif you can. Tell
me quickly, before any one comes.
Where. and what, is the Princess So
\ phia now?"
She has never married." she an
swered, with shudder.'' Her brother,
the Grand Duke George, reigns in
4 Wohlau-L andskrona. The princes
lives alone with her ladies in the Cas-
tie OF Gmunden, on the Rhine. She
Is said TO devote her life to good
!. works among the peasantry of the
dukedom. Nobody knows MUCK about
her She is thought to be eccentric.
But, Michael, Michael. her arm Is
1 long!
Suddenly she rose and began to
3 tremble exceedingly. The sense OF
4 her loss. the whole horror of the situa-
tions had come upon her in a swift
fiood.
NY boy!'' she said. .My dear lit
tie boy! Where are you? Where are
your,
Her voice was rising into high
note. Michael was standing before
her In an agony Of impotence when
the door OF the room was suddenly
thrown open, and with the pomp and
6 parade Of the ducal household. which
sven at this moment Of distress and
excitement could not be- entirely sun.
pressed the butler announced, .Sir
y Anthony HELLER IA little. thick Set
J0SsY ri