The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1909-07-16

90 the duchoss. end we ara o 10
set out upon what may prove to be a
most perilous enterprise in order TO
gain news of the little duke and, II
God wills it, to restore him to his
mother"
The sailors name was most earn
est and impressive. He felt deeply
and he was a little surprised to see
that the beautiful girl who stood OPP
posite him seemed to lack something
of his own enthusiasm.
cot course" she said, Capt. Mar
riott, l have long known that Mr..
| Michael Grant was the vowed bench
man of her grace, and, indeed, every
body has been saying that some day
or other the two will marry; but did
not know that you also were, so to
speak, one Of her sworn courtiers."
He heard her words, and took in
their meaning in a fash.
The captain Of a irst-c!ass cruiser
who is still a very young man is not
a fool. Basil realized that the girl
had, quite unconsciously, betrayed a
little jealousy Of his own newly-vowed
allegiance to the radiant and beautiful
young duchess.
The realization set his heart beating
~furiously, and his eyes grew bright.
She could not, she would not have said
that If she had not already taken more
than a usual interest in him.
His voice had quite a new ring in 1t
as he replied.
Miss Hobson," he said, IT think
that, with one exception, the duchess
of London is the most beautiful
woman l have ever seen. I was glad
and proud to join Michael Grant in
this business. My father is a very in
innate friend of the duchess, and II
Grant-who you say, seems to be
singuiarly epris In that quafter-and |
cannot get to the bottom of this bust
ness, then I do not think Scotland
Vary and all the rest of it can, either.
My point of view in joining in the af-
fair is simply a sporting one. or
course, one rather likes to do anything
for such a charming girl as the duch-
ess, as I think she is almost the most
beautiful woman l have ever seen;
but heaven preserve me-" he added,
in a lower voice, from eyer falling in
love with a woman with red hair"
His eyes twinkled as he spoke, and
Daisy could not restrain a little rip
pie of laughter.
"'Come down into the valley'-r
think I quote correctly" Basil said.
Don't you remember Tennyson's
poem about the shepherd? 1t is safer
to love in the valley; that's the point
the song makes. Seriously, Miss Hob
| would rather be any one In this
world than Michael Grant, famous and
as he is. To be in love
with a girl SO highly placed, so utterly
as the Duchess OF London,
must be a continual torture. At least,
that is the way I look upon It,"
"You did not come here to talk
about being in love, did you, Capt.
MARRIOTT" Daisy said, with a smile.
You came here to ask me what |
could tell you about Miss Decies. You
came here to see If / could give you
any information"
by Jove!" the sailor answered, "of
l did, Miss Hobson. Please do
me. But-but-" He hesi-
for a moment, and then conclud-
ed, rather lamely, as he felt himself,
TT is so jolly to be in the country
after London; and really, one quite
forgets. You see," he continued, ito
night Michael Grant and myself leave
for Germany by the midnight train"
For Germany" she said. And her
voice seemed suddenly strained and
anxious.
1T is Germany" he replied - not
without a repetition of the same ioY-
Gus thrill that he had experienced be-
fore-"that we expect to find the so
OF the mystery"
1T is indeed, Capt. Marriott" she
answered, with a deep gravity in her
voice.
InSn you hHOW
81 know that the late Mise Decies
was, in some strange way. connected
with German people OF a very curious
order indeed
Basil pulled himself together and be-
came alert.
There would be time to talk to her
afterward-tatk to her about all sorts
of things. After all, 1t was his duty
to remember the business upon which
he was come.
TELL me- he said. simply.
1T Is d strange story the girl re-
piled, eand its Significance Is only APP
parent now. after the event. AT the
time when what I am going to tell
you about happened I vas simply puz.
zled and in the dark. 1t is like this.
when I and my sister were chill
dren. and before my younger brothers
and sisters were born. We lived for
four years in Germany. Ny father
was the English chaplain at Bad
Furstenberg, which is. as you know.
one OF the well known cure places.
It Il in the State OF Wohlau-Lands
kronn.
LAD = GsrraE .9azse 10 whom
we were very much attaehed-Greia
Schmidt When NV father WAS an