The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-07-15

- SAN Wv anu W. ~ oD"NN ~
set out upon what may prove to be a
most perilous enterprise in order to
gain news Of the little duke and, IL
God wills 1t, to restore him to his
mother"
The sailors name was most earn
est and impressive. He felt deeply,
and he vas a little surprised to see
that the beautiful girl who stood OPP
posite him seemed to lack something
of his own enthusiasm.
"Of course" she said, Capt. Mar
riott, I 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 l 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 frst-class 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 n~ewly-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 II she had not already taken o
than a usual interest in him.
His voice had quite a new ring in 1t
as he replied.
Miss Hobson," he said, "I think
that, with n exception, the duchess
OF London is the most beautiful
woman I 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 IL
Grant-who you say, seems to be
~singularly epris in hat quarter-and I
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. OF
course, one rather likes to do anything
for such a charming girl as the Ouch
ess, as I think she Is almost the most
beautiful woman | have ever seen;
but heaven preserve me-" he added,
in a lower voice, from ever 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'-T
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
son, | would rather be any one in this
world than Michael Grant, famous and
celebrated as he is. To be In love
with a girl so highly placed, so utterly
remote as the Duchess Of London,
must be a continual torture. At least,
that is the way l 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 mere W SEC IL L Coulu SiNC you
any information"
"By Jove!" the sailor answered, "of
course | did, Miss Hobson. Please do
forgive me. But-but-" He hest
tated for a moment, and then conclud-
ed, rather lamely, as he felt himself,
ut 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.
at is GSi A,any,' he replied - not
without a repetition of the same JOY
Gus thrill that he had experienced be-
fore-"that we expect to find the so
luton of the mystery"
1T is indeed, Capt. Marriott" she
answered, with a deep gravity In her
voice.
Then you known"
IT know that the late Miss 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-talk to her about all sorts
Of things. After all, 1t was his duty
to remember the business upon which
he wac coma
Tell me-" he said, simply.
"It is a strange story" the girl re-
piled. "and it's significance is only APP
parent now, after the event. At the
time when what l am going to tell
you about happened I was 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
F~urstenberg. which is. as you know,
one of the well known cure places.
1t is in the State Of Wohlau-Lands-