The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-04-15

almost suggested cruelty. But Sne
was a familiar figure in London so
ciety, nevertheless, in as far as her
capacity of the elder lady In the
menage of the ducal house made her
that.
How d'you do. Mr.. Michael?" she
said, extending a long, thin arm in it's
black silk mitten. Il am pleased to
see you. We have not met for a con-
siderable time; in fact, it was almost
four days ago"
Michael flushed a little. He always
found II difficult to keep on ordinarily
good terms with Miss Decies. She
was unable to interfere with the life
OF her niece in any way, but she re-
venged herself-or so the young man
thought-by being particularly I'M
pleasant to any one of whom she did
not approve.
And Michael was quite certain that
for some reason or other Miss De-
cies did not approve of him.
rs Ii so long as that, Miss Decies ?"
he said, with a little laugh-"or so
Shoi " lin as liz Fol NY OWL
part | have no wish to measure time"
The duchess put her hand upon the
old lady's arm.
"Auntie and l." she said to Michael.
with a smile, have called you in to
consult upon a family matter"
(Which you will probably settle
without any reference to me-" said
Miss Decies; and probably would
have added something more il at that
moment the doors of the room had not
been thrown open and the house
steward announced that dinner was
served.
The duchess laughed merrily, and.
playing with her fan, led the way
from the drawing room, while Michael
gave his arm to the old lady.
They passed through a little avenue
Of servants; the house steward. in
ordinary evening dress, and with the
manner of a head official who had
just looked In to see that things were
being properly done; the butler, alert,
pompous, conscious of his own high
position, but a little subdued by the
presence of the steward: and the tall,
motionless footmen, all strangely
alike in their plush and powder.
Dinner was not very gay. Miss De-
cies acted as a wet blanket. The old
lady was always rather bitter in
speech and manner at any time. Peo-
pie said that 1t CALLED a somewhat
soured and envious nature to see her
own niece so great and important in
the eye of the world. The young
duchess, with an income which need
hardly be measured. a place only a
little lower than royalty itself, a
charm and beauty which was as
unique a part OF ner fortune ss all
else, may well have suggested to Miss
Decies that she herself was of the
same blood. had been a beauty in her
youth, and. but for the nig~gardliness
of fate, might have had all this
Grant was quite conscious Of the
slight embarrassment of the meal,
though he did his best to brighten it.
"The duchess tells me, Miss De-
cies," he said. that poor little Fitz
came home quite worn out from the
party. and wouldn't go to sleep for
ever SO long"
Miss Decies waited for a moment
before replying. and put down her
knife and fork with some delibera-
ton. Then she looked Michael Grant
straight in the face.
His Grace" she said, was GER
tainly ~fatigued, but his goverress and
nurse We're able to persuade him to
sleep, thank YOU"
"Oh, auntie." the duchess broke in,
what a tarradiddle! You know that
Fftz wouldn't go to sleep at all until
I came-and you too,' she added, has
tily. Poor little fellow, he's so very
young yet to go where there are a lot
of children. I don't think I shall let
him go to parties again just yet; but,
OF course. today was quite different"
Michael Grant tried another tack.
Il was at my club just now" he
said. land saw dear old Sir Hercules
Marriott. He was with a younger
man who looked very like him-his
o In the service. | suppose-so |
didn't go up and speak to him. But
what a nice old fellow he Isl"
"Oh, did you see Sir Hercules, Mi
chael?' the duchess said. so did /.
just as we were coming away from
Marlborough house. in the middle of
st. James street. He must have been
going into the club then. | am quite
fond of Sir Hercules. He can always
give any sort of information one wants
about anybody"
For my part" said Miss Decies,
acidly. Il think that Sir Hercules
Marriott combines the bad manners
Of a naval officer with the imperti-
Of a private detective. When.
ever he comes near me | feel as if a
cold 'sou-wester' or some horrid wind
had blown upon me-"
"Oh, he's a dear old man, auntie."
the duchess answered with continued
good humor. and he's so fond of
Fitz."
"Fitz has too many odd friends for
a child of four. in my opinion. Beat.
rice the old lady replied. And now
Il think we might go back to the
drawing room. unless Mr.. Grant wish