Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-29
Chapter XVI. A Royal Sutton

l said Thurley pausing with Alice on the stairs My
heart is nearly breaking through.
so is mine, replied the fairy godmother, for fear
the Duke may totter with age. An old one might not
understand joke. have given him absent treatment
for an hour to make him young.
Her treatment may and may not have been respon-
sible; but the Duke young.
Thank Heaven! she said to herself when they
tered the with its brilliant lights and the richness
of its furnishings and behed their royal visitor uni
formed, decorated Respondent, standing with easy
military grace to bow them into his presence.
He was barely more than boy,-a tall, slender
youngng of long succession of Kaisers fine featured
proud rosy girl and adorned with dark and
downy mustachelet, snguarly becoming in the empha
SIS 1t lent to his lip
Instructed to what she ought to do at once Thur
ley approached their noble visitor in her gracious half
shy Impeled by the dictates of her impulse
she held out her hand.
The Duke had Immediately raised his eyes to regard
her she came. A light of amazement, shadowy
puzzlement, and blaze of sheer, uncomfortable adj
miration flashed in quick succession from the penetra
tive gaze he bent upon her-and Alice beheld it all
Neither she Thurley had than discerned
that Otto Wenck purple with excitement and solicude
present, a little apart.
In the candor Thurey placed her hand in that
of the Duke and met the concentrated look of his eyes
Il am Miss Thurley," she said in German that flowed
from her lips water in rill. MAY | assure you of
your welcome and express pleasure at meetng?
'You-you have given me more-more than you
possibly derive from this happy OCCASION, he told
her in boyish murmur, charged with grace and self
control; and lifting her hand his lips, he kissed it
softly then gazed before in the liquid depths of her
glance.
MAY l present my-my fairy godmother?" said
Thurley, turning to Alice. Mrs. Van Kirk"
The Duke advanced to exchange formal salutation
with his hostess and to murmur conventional
ment. beamed her brightest, made engagingly Amer
reply of welcome, and tactfuy abandoned the pair
at once to proceed where Wenck still engorged
with official worry to set him more at
Thurley had wished for assistance, support, in her
trying situation. The Duke, the contrary, seemed
enormously relieved to behold Alice fade away.
TT is a great surprise to find you here" he said.
which might have meant almost anything, as Thurley
was amply aware He added, 1t is also very great
pleasure. could not have believed this meeting would
restore my happiness.
MAY l not ask you to be seated?" said Thurley
She and more puzzled by his attitude, and
swiftly wondering if such thing could be possible
as self deuson on the part of such fiance. and it.
mayhap he had been engaged without previously meet
arrived in New York this week."
To-day, said the Duke, accepting chair and gaz-
ing with i'll concealed rapture on Thurleys face Il
confess my Impotence to seeI am incredibly grateful
for this early opportunity of discovering Will you ac-
cept my declaration of very great joy at this meetngo
Thurley Redeemed with exquisite fire. 1T is likewise
determine precisely the state of his mind and knowl
little prepared for your coming y Herr WeneK."
He leaned little toward her. You had not antici-
pated little pleasure in my arrival them"
She laughed lightly, the color playing in her face
the perfume plays about rose Isn't it sufficient
that betray my pleasure now?"
"You knew had come very great distance, that
my action perhaps without precedent in my
guished search forfor the beautul-for the mate my
heart would select?"
Thurley nodded, crirnsoning at the ardor and
frankness of his gaze . knew you were coming
knew Hertzegotha was-quite long way off, knew
that, of course"
MAY ask you other questions personal questions?
"Why-ce rtainly-f you do not require that shall
answer-unless l please"
He smiled. do seem like that? 1t is not so much
that wish to ask-so much to you perhaps; but
Shall you insist that call you always Miss Thurley