The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1909-11-12

At the end of the room was a carved
| rchway, which showed a vista OF
hat appeared TO be another and muct
| )r something OF that sort-whch was
| .lso brilliantly Illuminated
The whole scene was one of incom
parable spierdour, The scene OF a Roy
| Il 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
| he larger hall. were two people.
One was tall, elderly woman
| lressed IN full evening costume of
| crimson velvet and wearing a long
| rain. Her figure was as erect as a
lart, and gave marked impression
| Of extreme dignity. She wore cor
onet of diamonds in her hair and from
| her small. chiselled ears two emeralds
fell. winking with green lights. Her
bare arms were covered with curious
bracelets. made Of flexible gold plates
and jewelled with some dark red
stones. In one slender hand she held
4 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-
ing eyes, which were overhung by
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 menace in
them. They were basilisk eyes, the
eyes of a Medusa, terrible glowing
wonderful eyes!
BY the side of the Princess--for
both Basil and Michael knew at once
into whose presence they had secretly
come-was tall. fiOrid 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 was the same man who
Cologne. 1t 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-
scrbed. 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-decamp were speaking
in French Basil was an excellent
German scholar: Grant was not Who'll
ly unacquainted 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 woman was speaking.
Fritz. you have done well. and have
deserved we'll of me- shall not for
get it,"
Princess" the man replied. Il have
done what you told me to do. but it
has been a terrible task. What it has
meant to me you know It 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 81
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, descendant of
those faithful mobiles who have served
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 :
true and faithful servant of our will
You shall not lose by it. You are
destined TO the highest Offices that the
State of Wohlau-Landskrona 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 1t 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 ever proffered them In
the glorious past"
Grant and Marriott watched this
strange scene with wild amazement
and even contempt. This absolut,
surrender of personality to the Mca a.
kingship. this curious survival Of the
old feIdal instinct was utterly mex
! plicable to both of them
One Of them was an officer in thC
service of His Majesty. King of Eng
land and the Dominions Beyond the
Seas, Emperor OF India. He woul(
have diad 0iadlv for his Kiuc aud haf