The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-12-02

We'll, Thomas" said Mr., Remjnp
on, Il think all the worry is over TO
Eonight."
The footman had never heard th,
naJor-domo speak i'm such a pleasan
ana condescending way before. Herr
vas the great Mr.. Remington himself
Iefore whom even the butler trembled
actually talking with him-Thomas.
u was a great moment for the tai
iervan with the powdered hair.
i hope so, indeed, Mr.. Remington
5ir!' he answered, in a voice which
jhowed how deeply he was moved. %
nope so, indeed, sir"
we have got them out. Thomas:
We have got them OUT" said Mr.. Rem
!ngton, rubbing his hands with a
shuckle. Il had the report brought tc
my room at eleven o'clock, and No
less than thirty-two of those nasty
'ellows have called during the even.
.ng. Therell be a fine TODD of non,
sense in the papers tomorrow morn,
.ng, Thomas"
/ expect so, yes, sir" the footman
replied. Yes, indeed, sir!"
It's a shocking thing, Thomas
continued Mr.. Remington, what the
papers will say. Well, this is a happy
day-a happy day, indeed-now that
his Grace and her Grace have re-
turned"
Yes, indeed, Mr.. Remington, sir"
said the footman.
1T is her Grace's intention" con-
tinued Mr.. Remington, ito give the
servants a party next week, when
everyone will be allowed to invite a
friend-subject to my knowing exact
ly who he or she may respectively be.
You will all be asked to drink the
health of the little Duke"
1T is very kind of her Grace, Mr..
Remington, sir" the footman answer
ed. Eyes, indeed, Mr.. Remington, sir;
very kind of her Grace"
At the end of a certain corridor in
a certain wing Of the house a great
room furnished as a nursery was very
brightly lit. Upon the walls was a
pattern of paper depicting hunting
scenes in vivid colors-the fox gen
orally getting the better of both
hounds and huntsman, and repeated
half a hundred times in different
squares. crouching upon the roof of
a matched cottage, grinning derision
at the stupid dogs and mortals who
fought for him below.
The room was full Of toys-toys
which had obviously been in recent
use and had not been put away. And
it was quite empty.
The door which led into the inner
room-into the night n~ursery-was
open, however. and from it came a
low murmur Of voices.
Michael Grant and the Duchess of
London were standing together in the
night nursery, which was lit by a rose
shaded electric lamp standing upon a
little table by the side Of a cot. In
the cot the little Duke of London lay
sleeping peacefully.
The baby face was in calm and love-
ly repose. The breathing was deep
and regular. The long black lashes
lay upon a cheek like the inside Of a
shell, One tiny hand lay pom the
coverlet-a little crumpled hand-a
sweet little hand.
Michael looked very tall and straight
in his black evening clothes. The
Greek head was poised as proudly as
ever upon the lean and massive torso.
The poise of the body was as alert
and graceful as ever. But something
had come into the fine, ascetic face
which had not been there before. The
lines OF resolution had hardened and
we're much deeper. The eyes, a little
sunken, were more steadfast than
ever. Experience had moulded the
young mans face into something finer
and more spiritual than ii had ever
been.
And the Duchess-the Duchess was
radiant! Her great beauty blazed u
in the silent room like a star.
She wore a simple evening gown of
black. and there were no jewels in her
hair nor round her neck. She was
standing some two feet away from
Michael, and her head was bowed.
Their voices had ceased, and there
was a silence.
The Duchess broke 1t.
Eyes, Michael" she said, in a curl
ously nervous voice, quite unlike her
usual tones of proud, bright conf
dence. Yes. Michael, as you say,
dear little Fitzroy has passed through
all these horrors without 1t leaving a
trace upon his mind. Thank God.
Thank God that he is too young to un-
d~erstandi"
Her voice quivered away into ST.
lence.
Then Grant spoke.
Beatrice" he said. you remember
what you promised me-" and his own
deep voice %quivered and vibrated like
the string of a violin. Beatrice. do
you know that the time and hour have
come when l claim the fulflment of
your promise?"
She did not answer, but the color
all faded away from her face and left
her beautifully white and statuesque.
Suddenly the man in front of her
took w quick steps and caught her