The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-04-08

what d uedNy DufueH anu strain IL 10
upon the life of any one to bring up
a child born TO such a heritage as his
very few people a realize"
"Of course, there have beeen lots of
people who have wanted to marry
herr"
Scores. my dear boy-scores. But
she has encouraged m Of them, so
il is said, except perhaps"
"Yes?" the young man said,
eagerly.
The old gentleman hesitated for a
moment.
1T may or may not be true" he
said, "but | suppose you have heard
of Michael Grant, Basil?"
"Of course I've heard Of him." Capt.
Marriott answered, his face lighting
up with interest. Who hasn't? Do
they mention him in connection with
the duchess of London?"
Certainly they do" the admiral re-
piled, but with what truth | can hard
ly conjecture. Michael Grant is the
son of old Mr.. Harvey Grant, whose
estates are near MINIS Godscroft,
where the duchess was brought up.
Certainly no one a deny that they
see a good deal Of each other now,
but whether it is platonic or whether
it isn't, | am sure | can't say. The
general supposition is that the Ouch
ess, who Is known to be absolutely
devoted to the interests of her little
son, is more or less in love with Mi
chael Grant, but will never marry him
because she feels 1t a sacred duty to
give her whole life to the boy. She
feels, as | said before, hat the career
of this child, with such an immense
position, and who is destined to play
so great a part in the affairs of his
country, must have her undivided at
tention."
Basil sighed. at is very noble and
all that, of course" he said. But it
seems hard that a young and beauti-
full woman should remain lonely for
life because her son happens to be
born a sort of prince; and, besides,
| should have thought very few women
in London would refuse Michael
Grant"
He spoke with immense enthusiasm
and admiration in his voice, as proba-
bly, nine-tenths Of the men Of his gen.
Grafton would have done when speak
ing of Michael Grant.
To the younger men Of England the
70 ,onV,9 nth1nta The .D-% -
head Of all that was finest and most
manly in British sport, was a hero.
He represented everything that the
young Englishman cares for and emu
lates. The finest amateur boxer in
the country, probably the completest
and most finished oarsman in the
world, he was, at the same time,
more than a mere athlete. His name
had become synonymous for manli-
ness and chivalry in public schools,
universities. regimental messes, and
all places where men meet through.
out the empire. 1t is but rarely now
adays that either Sir Galahad or Her
cules, or a combination of the two,
becomes, SO to speak, a figure head.
a name In modern life. The days for
such eminence seem past. But the
name OF Michael Grant really was one
which few men heard without a word
OF appreciation, while the splendor
of his personal appearance, added to
his celebrity. made II a constant won
der that he had never married, and
that, at thirty-two, he was still a
bachelor.
They'd make a splendid pair" Ba-
sill went on. in a thoughtful tone of
voice. What a fine couple they'd
make, by Jove, he and she!"
Grant is a member here" the ad-
miral answered, q little amused.
perhaps. at his sons enthusiasm.
He's"
He broke OF suddenly in his speech.
Good ~heavens!" he whispered:
talk Of the-why, here's the man
himself!"
The door had opened, and q young
man had come into the room with
long. easy strides. He was tall. lean.
rather dark Of complexion, and with
close-cropped black hair. The eyes
we're a deep blue-a rare and singular
thing In a dark complexioned man or
woman. The straight Grecian nose.
the perfectly chiselled but firm and
many lips, the whole air Of extraor.
binary health and alertness about
him made up a personality as striking
and unusual as could be seer any,
where In England. Nobody could look
at Michael Grant without feeling
that here was a somebody" a man
who was something or who had done
something.
During the admiral's conversation
with his son the club had more or less
filled up. and several men were sit.
ting about here and there.
There was a stir and movement as
Grant came in; men looked mr. from
their evening papers and smiled ar
nodded; n or two of them rose with
unusual alacrity and went up TO the
newcomer.
The ordinary man." thought pas,I
Marriott. does not enter a london
club like that. So that's M,cbae,
Grant. the famous Michael Grant,
Well. he's just as fine a looking chan
as he really is."
The Admiral Ma