The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-11-12

l outs XIV, decorated with inlay OF
.cquer-gilt mountings and marvellous
awnings and upholstered with bro
ade.
At the end of the room was a carved
'rchway, which showed a vista Of
What appeared to be another and much
arger m great audience hall.
Or something Of that sort-which was
'lso brilliantly Illuminated.
The whole scene was one Of incom-
parable %splendour, the scene of a Roy
III Princess, with treasures of priceless
worth and beauty upon every side.
In the center of the room, standing
close to the archway which led into
the larger hall, were two people.
One was a tall, elderly woman,
dressed in full evening costume of
crimson velvet and wearing a long
rain. Her figure was as erect as a
dart, and gave a marked impression
Of extreme dignity. She wore a cor
onet of diamonds in her hair, and from
her small, chiselled ears two emeralds
fell, winking with green lights. Her
DAiC TAI "VIC SofClCu Will louS
bracelets, made of flexible gold plates
and jewelled with some dark red
stones. In one slender hand she held
a long black fan of ostrich feathers.
Her face was regal, though worn and
lined. But what attracted the immedi-
ate and almost terrified attention of
the two men was the fact of the blaz-
inr ouoC vuhtch vunro 0yarhurr hxy
stern and massive brows.
These eyes were more brilliant than
any jewels in that brilliant and jew.
elled room. There was an extraordi-
nary intensity Of light and n in
them. They were basilisk eyes, the
eyes of a Medusa, terrible, glowing,
wonderful eyes!
both Basil and Michael knew at once
into whose presence they had secretly
come-was a tall, forid young man.
He was dressed in evening costume,
though his coat was of purple, and he
wore satin knee-breeches, silk stock
ings and low shoes with leather buc-
kles-the court dress Of Wohlau.Lans-
krona.
Both men recognized him immedi-
ately. He vas the same man who
had driven up in the automobile at
Cologne. It was the same man who
had led them such a sorry race to the
shores of the Rhine, outside the old
town of Bonn. 1t was the man who
had snatched the little Duke from
their pursuing hands.
1t was Fritz Won Ravenstein, the
man whom Daisy Hobson had de-
scribed, the son of Miss Decies, who
now lay cold in her ~dishonored grave.
Both young men shivered with ex-
element and bent eagerly to listen.
1t was fortunate that the Princess
and her aide-de-camp were speaking
in French. Basil was an excellent
| German scholar; Grant was not Who'll
ly u~nacquainted with the language, but
it was far easier for both of them to
follow the august couple upon whom
! they spied while they spoke in the
language of Courts.
The m was speaking.
Fritz, you have done we'll. and have
| deserved well Of me. l shall not for
get it,"
Princess" the man replied. II have
done what you told me to do. but it
has beer a terrible task. What it has
meant to me you know. 1t has ended
in my mother taking her own life in
order that your revenge might be con-
summated!"
A note Of resigned bitterness had
come into his voice. and his head was
bent as he spoke.
The Princess placed one jewelled
hand upon the young mans shoulder.
Won ~Ravenstein," she said, Il
know, and do not think that my heart
has not wept for you and for your
mother also. Your mother was Eng
lish, as you are not. Your father was
one of our Court. a descendant of
the Princes of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. for
hundreds upon hundreds of years. 1t
Is in your blood to serve me. 1t is
your life to serve me! You are the
hereditary descendant of those who
have served us. Therefore. come what
may, let what has happened have hap.
pened-you have done your duty as a
true and faithful servant of our will.
You shall not lose by it. You are
destined to the highest Offices that the
State of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. can con
fer. Forget the past, and receive only
the most heartfelt and grateful thanks
of your Princess"
She withdrew her hand, and the
young man seized it and kissed it pas
~siOnately.
Princess" he said, my life-the
lives of all who are dear to me-are
yours to do with as you will today. as
my family have yer proffered them il
the glorious past"
Grant and Marriott watched thi:
strange scene with Wild amazement
and even contempt. This absolute
surrender of personality to the idea Of
kingship, this curious survival of the
DlI fo.,Aol Instinct uoc rttprly NOV