The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-03-17

~ softly upon the roof of leaves
hat covered the sidewalks
along Castle emu
Almost i'm the center of the imposing
line of p~alatial residences stood the
home of the Duke Of Perse, minister
Of finance. flanked on either side by
structures as grim and as gay rs it
self, yet far less significant in their
generation. Here dwelt the most i'm
portant man in the principality, not
excepting the devoted prime minister
himself. Not that Perse was SO well
beloved, but that he held the destinies
Of the land in Midas-like fingers. More
han that, he was the father of the far
famed Countess MarlanX, the most
glorious beauty ut the Austrian and
Russian courts. She had gone forth
from GrauStark as its most notable
bride since the wedding day OF the
Princess Yetive, late in the nineties.
Ingomede, the beautiful, had ~journeyed
far to the hymeneal altar. The hus-
band who claimed her was a hated,
~dishonored man in his own land. There
were those who went so far as to say
that her father had delivered her into
the hands of Il latter day Bluebeard.
who whisked her off into the high
lands, many leagues from Vienna.
She was seen no more In the gay
courts for a year. Then Of a sudden
she appeared before them all. as daZ-
Zlingly beautiful as ever, but with a
haunting, wistful look in her dark eyes
that could not be mistaken. The Old
count found an uneasy delight in ex-
hibiting her to the world once morp,
plainly as a lit Of property that all
men were expected to look upon with
envy In their hearts.
Then the Duke of Perse resumed his
residence in Edelweiss. opening the
old palace once more to the world. His
daughter after the death Of the prin-
cess began her extended visits to the
home Of her girlhood. So long as the
princess was alive she remained away
from Edelweiss, reluctant to meet the
friend who had banished her husband
long before the wedding day in Buda-
pest. Now SIZE came frequently and
stayed for weeks at n time. apparently
happy during these escapes from life
in the great capitals.
OF late she came more frequently TO
Edelweiss than before. John Tullis
was always to remember the moment
when he looked upon this exquisite
creature for the first time. That was
months ago. After that he never ceased
hoinr N uncpnf ci1nnt yvnrChinn- al hnr
transient shrine.
Ten o'clock on this rainy night a
carriage has drawn up before the low
er gates to the Perse grounds, and a
tall, shadowy figure leaves it to hurry
through the shrub lined walks to the
massive doors.
Tullis had long since ceased to be a
welcome visitor in the home Of the
Duke of Perse. The men were openly
unfriendly to each other. The duke
resented the cool interference Of the
sandy haired American; on the other
hand, Tullis made no effort to conceal
his dislike, if not distrust, OF the older
man.
The countess was alone in the long,
warm tinted library.
at is good Of you to come" she said
as they shook hands warmly. do you
know it is almost a year since you last
came to this house?"
at would be q century, countess. if
/ were not welcomed in other houses
where | am ure Of a glimpse of you
from time to time and a word now and
then"
They both seated themselves before
a glowing open fire.
"The duke has gon to Ganlook to
play bridge with friends" she said at
once. HE will not return till late. !
have just telephoned-to make sure
Her smile did more than to reassure
him.
ITO be continued.)
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