The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-03
The thrilling story
of q mothers love
and a woman's hate.

ION. Il think all the worry is for
onight."
The footman had never heard the
naJor-domo speak in such a pleasant
and condescending way before. Here
vas the great Mr.. Remington himself,
before WHOM even the butler trembled,
actually talking with him-Thomas,
t was a great moment for the tall
servant with the powdered hair.
Il hope so, indeed, Mr.. Remington.
ilr!' he answered, in a voice which
'howed how deeply he was moved. Il
aope so, indeed, sir"
we awe got them out, Thomas;
We nave got them OUT" said Mr.. Rem
lngton, rubbing his hands with a
buckle. Il had the report brought to
my room at eleven o'clock, and no
less than thirty-two of those nasty
fellows have called during the even
ne. There'l be a fine TODD of o
sense in the papers tomorrow morn
ing, Thomas"
Il expect SO, yes, sir!" the footman
replied. Eyes. 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, "to 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. Yes, 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 nursery-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 upon 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, q little
sunken, were more %steadfast than
ever. Experience had moulded the
young mans face into something finer
and more spiritual than it had eve
been.
And the Duchess-the Duchess was
radiant! Her great beauty blazed out
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 vas bowed.
Their voices had ceased, and there
was a silence.
The Duchess broke 1t.
"Yes, 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 it leaving a
trace upon his mind. Thank God!
Thank God that he is too young to un-
derstand!"
Her voice quivered away into 81.
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 fulfilment of
your promise?"
She did not answer, but the color
all faded away from her face and left
her beautifully white and statuesQue.