The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-04-02

quiringly.
Take it, Fitz, DEAR" she said; land
say THINK YOU to the lady"
The little boy scrambled to the side
Of the carriage and lisped out his
thanks, just as a mounted policeman
ahead succeeded in clearing a way
and the horses began to trot. The
child turned and kissed his baby hand
to tn egiver of the flower, and the car.
riage turned up st. James street at a
smart pace, amid a perfect storm of
applause from all who had witnessed
the pretty little incident.
Perhaps there were no two more
popular figures of the moment than
the beautiful young widow and her lit.
tie son. There was something which
greatly interested the popular mind
III the somewhat romantic and lonely
flgure of the duchess of London. The
guardian of the richest peer in Eng.
land, herself of enormous wealth and
great personal beauty, the fact that
her son was known to be a favorite
playfellow Of the little prince whose
birthday was being celebrated that
day-all these and many other circum-
stances combined to make the couple
who had just driven of a constant
subject of conversation and regard.
About half way up st. James street.
just as the carriage Of the duchess
was driving by, two men were about
to enter the door of the Cocoa Tree
cub. One was an elderly gentleman
wearing a pointed gray beard, and
dressed with singular nicely and pre-
clsion-an elderly dandy, with man
about town" stamped On every line of
him, The other, who was clean
shaVed and much yo niger, was also
dressed IN the conventional frock coat
and tall hat, and his blue eyes, rather
hooked nose, and firm mouth BETRAYED
his relationship to the elderly man.
They were, indeed, father and son the
elder being Sir Hercules Marriott, a
retired admiral of the British navy
and a very well known figure in So
clety; the younger, his son, Capt. Basil
Marriott, was also a sailor, and one of
the youngest commander in the serv.
ice.
As the duchess passed Sir Hercules
turned and bowed. She smiled in an
sWer and waved her hand, while the
little duke, obviously recognizing a
friend, plped out a greeting which
was lost in the noise of the wheels.
The carriage rolled onwards up the
famous hill Of Clubland.
Capt. Marriott turned to his father.
his brown face animated with sudden
interest. He had just returned from
a three years cruise on the North
American station. and knew little or
nothing OF London society.
MY dear father" he said. "what
a charming looking woman! Who is
she?"
That, my dear BASIL" said the adj
mlral, with the precise manner Of an
earlier generation, combined with that
rellsh In the voice which men of his
stamp evince when asked for informa-
ton on a social topic--'that, nv dear
basil, is the young duchess Of London
one of the most charming, wealthy
and popular people in town"
The young mans brown, weather
worn face flushed a little.
I'VE don't see girls like that on the
North American station" he said.
What a radiant. beautiful creature,
Do you know her well?"
Come into the club, my dear bow"
said the old gentleman. I'VE will have
tea, and will tell you all about her"
together they mounted the stairs
which led to the large room of the ia.
nous club, where the shining cocoa
tree, beneath which all the great wits
and gamesters of the past were wont
TO risk thek' fortunes at hazard. still
stands as me Of re most singular
mementoes Of = b. gone age in Lon
don. They sat down by one OF the
great open fireplaces in two arm.
chairs OF red leather. Hardly ANYBODY
was IN the large. luxurious room at
this hours the traffic outside in st.
James street came through the old
Georgian windows In a faint and
soothing hum. It was indeed, an ideal
time and place for condolences. A
waiter answered the bell and brought
them a little table with tea. Basil
Marriott stretched his legs with q deep
sigh Of enjoyment.
How pleasant 1t Is to be back
father" he said; back again at the
heart Of, things. l am looking forward
to a splendid time for the next three
months"
well, my dear lad" Sir Hercules
answered. Everybody has been anx-
iously awaiting you. and r expect you
will have hard work to keep all your
engagements. IL almost wish l were
q young man again. coming back on
leave from my first command to en-
joy London and all it has to OFFER"
Il intend to make the most Of it,
| can tell YOU" said the younger man,
his face lighting UP in a frank, boy
ish smile 'bf enjoyment. "And now
then, father, tell me abut the duchess
Of London.N os .
The admiral carefully poured out a