Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-10-14
Basil is very wonderful


simply Basil Is . very wonderful
mani"
Something in the young girls voice
seemed to stir up and reanimate the
Pickering courage Of the Duchess.
She rose from her chair, caught
| Daisy round the waist and drew her
towards the old medieval fireplace.
| Then, once more, she raised her arm
to the heavy carved stonework, which
spoke of the Dukes of Wohlau-Lands-
krona for SO many generations. Lis
| ten, Daisy!" she said, almost in a
whisper, to the young girls ear. Lis
ten! You have given me back my
| courage. / defy all which that coat
of-arms means, to my life's end!
defy it, and trust utterly in dear
| Michael and your Basil. We have
been three days here now without
news. After the dreadful sight which
we saw from the high tower of Co.
logne Cathedral we carried out exactly
the instructions of Michael and Basil
and here we areas two American
ladies', visiting an ancient German
Principally, unknown and unsuspect-
ed by anyone. We are both in the
dark, the most dreadful anxiety as
sails us, but trust! l trust! trust!"
AS she spoke thus, she stopped
short and bent her regal head in an
attitude of listening.
Clearly echoing from the ancient
embattlemented houses in the street
came the sound of trumpets.
What is that?" Daisy said.
81 don't know" the Duchess an
swered What can it be-"
They stood there listening, and once
more the trumpets' flourish of brazen
instruments reached them very clear
ly and wildly, now pulsing through
the bright light of the ~.:orning with
a sound of triumph and joy.
The two women looked at each
other strangely, when there was
loud knocking at the old carved door
of the room.
"Kommen Sic Hinein," said the
Duchess, and in second the door was
thrown open by Herr Schwartz, the
fat, blond proprietor of the hotel, who
rushed in excitedly.
"Meine Damen," he began, then
continued in his thick, gutteral Eng
lish. He had been waiter once at
the Gambrinus, in Glasshouse Street,
Piccadilly Circus. "Donnerwetter!
This is a sight you ought aot to
miss!"t
What is it?" said the Duchess, very
pale and calm, as she looked at the
fat little person in long frock-coat, his
waxed yellow mustache, and his ex-
cited blue Teutonic eyes.
Miss" Herr Schwartz replied,
miss! Her Royal Highness the
Princess is coming through the town
AN equerry has just galloped up
to the hotel to say that she will BE-
here ugenblicklich-in moment or
two. Her Royal Highness is, miss,
the sister of the reigning Duke, as
doubtless, gnadige Frau, you know.
But she will stop here, at my hostel"
Daisy, who had been listening to
the little, excited man with amused
interest, suddenly saw that the
DuSLeSS #Cud1loSu Ill dllu fllCiL
her face took an expression of ex-
IRENE and noticeable eagerness.
Il 'But why" the Duchess said, will
the Princess stop at your hotel?"
"Ach, mein Gott! You know mott"
said Herr Schwartz, eagerly. "You
American ladies understand not.
Whenever the Princess passes thru
the town in state it is an old custom
that she stop here-at the Princess
inhof, and that the Wirth, with cup
of old Rhine wine from the cellar
to meet her-kneeling on his knees
goes, and proffers the cup"
II see," said the Duchess, very
| quietly and calmly. 1T Is an old
feudal custom?''
"Jawohl, miss" the little man re-
piled, "and If you will stand at the
| window here you will all Of it see"
There was sudden and much near
er flourish Of trumpets, and as the
| joyous sound swerved and quiyered
into the room Herr Schwartz threw
| up his hands, made little ducking
bow to the two girls, and dashed away
| Ito be continued.)
! Learn TO Distinguish colors.
l 3 4. u. kIH% N n