The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-05-13

BY GUY THORNE
Sweet is revenge, especially to a
woman."-Lord Byron.

CHAPTER V.-(continued.)

He came back to consciousness
Just before he died." she said, in a
faint voice, land he whispered to me
10 look after Fitzroy. They'll go for
the little chap now,' he said. They've
done for me, old girl Then he said,
God bless you!' 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 / received q letter about a year
ago. From the postmark it had been
posted in the West Central district.
It was a square sheet Of paper on
which a few words were typewriter.
] forget the exact words, though |
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
! should pay in bitter sorrow for my
happiness. The words were quite
plain and brutal. The man you got
to marry o and to whom you bore
q child they said, has zone from you
forever. But there Is a fate stronger
take your child from you also. Then
II will be your turn. Husbandless,
you shall drag out a long and painful
life in an agony that you a only
guess at, but which is as sure and
inevitable as the passing Of time"
Michael started up, his hands
%cienched, his eyes blazing with pity
and anger. The duchess raised her
beautiful white hands and her head
Tell into them, while she shook with a
storm Of agonized tears inexpresslbly
dreadful to see.
oh" she sobbed, I've never told
any one, but 1t has been hanging over
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
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 a low,
steady voice. You can trust in me.
am strong, l 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 q 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-
iy eyes, the perfect mouth was drawn
into sweet piteousness, like a wound
ed rose. But there was a slight hope
upon her face as she answered him.
Il feel this" she said, gravely; in
all nay agony I feel this. 1t is a great
relief to have told you everything. We
shall know more about it all very
soon, when the people we have sent
for come; and meanwhile"
And meanwhile" he broke in, 81
am going to devote my whole self to
your service. or course, the hidden
ngure behind II all is"
She nodded with a little frightened
nod. TT must be-" she whispered.
Tell me-" he said, IF you can. Tell
me quickly. before any M comes.
Where. and what, is the Princess So
phia now?"
"She has never married" she an
swered, with a shudder." Her brother,
the Grand Duke George, reigns in
Wohlau-Landskrona. The princes
lives alone with her ladies in the Cas-
tie of .Gmunden, on the Rhine. She
IL said to devote her life to good
works among the peasantry of the
dukedom. Nobody knows much about
her. She Is thought to be eccentric.
But, Michael, Michael, her arm Is
long,"
Suddenly she rose and began to
trembie exceedingly. The sense OF
her loss. the whole horror OF the situa-
tion, had come upon her in a swift
food.
My boy!" she said. my dear lit
tie boy! Where are you? Where are
your"
Her voice was rising into a 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
parade Of the ducal household, which
even at this moment Of distress and
excitement could not be entirely sup
pressed. the butler announced, "Sir
Anthony Heller" A little, thick.set.
black-bearded man in evening dress,
followed by a tall person In an over.
coat who was not announced, came
hurriedly into the room.
1t was o three minutes after the
entrance Of Sir Anthony and Mr..
Downes from Scotland Yard when the
old duke of Perth himself hobbled In,
leaning on the arm of his valet.
Miss Decies was sent for and Joined
the group.
The doors were shut, and the Ouch.
sss, h~alf-fainting. prompted and helped
by her sunt and Michael Grant. told
The astonishing story Of the night.
The old duke mumbled and splut-
tered In amazement. and In almost
senile incapacity to grasp the situa-
ton.
The president of the local govern
nent board. the little dukes other