The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-16
'sThe Duke of Oblivion .
The guards stood their ground

The guards stood their ground
advanced. but plainly
nervous and fearfu1-waiting for
me to come where they might
rush me.
THE guards await you, Mr..
said the officer in
pleasantly. What is
1t to be?"
I drew my sword and offered
II to him, hilt to the front.
II surrender" / replied, PRO
viding you take me at once to
join my party before the Duke"
1T is indeed pleasure to deal
with so proper gentleman" he
bowed, accepting my sword and
passing 1t to one of his men.
will you not, sir, be SO good as
to favor me also with your PTS
toi?"
Certainly" | acquiesced-and
passed it over.
Now" said he, 1T will afford
me much pleasure to escort you
to the Presence.
| went straight to Rosalind.
"Dick!" was all she said, as |
took her hand.
She and Justine were calm
with the calmness of suppressed
despair and anger. They had
been taken so quickly that even
their gowns were scarcely rum
pied. De Verdenois greeted me
with smile and shrug.
Hello, old mani" said he.
I've made frightful mess"
The Dukes voice cut him
short.
1--WE are not inclined" he an
ito show resentment
against you for your attempted
escape. 1t was natural under the
But we shall ex-
pect you to appreciate our Glenn
ency and to submit without fur
Their resistance to our decree.
Now, If you will accompany us
back to the pyramid, we shall per-
NIT you to rest until tomorrow
Your nerves, my dears,"
With an apish smile at Rosalind
and Justine, ARE doubtless some
what overstrung by reason of the
recent happenings; so we have
deferred the marriage ceremonies
until the morrow-immediately
after the morning meal. You see,
we have endeavored to be
thoughtful and considerate in the
matter - Marquis. escort Miss
Beauchamp, look to
Mrs. Leighton. Come, sirs-we
will away"
Il suppose we must bow to SUI
perior force" Rosalind flashed
back; but If that odious crea-
ture"-looking the Marquis full
in the face-"comes near me, you
will have to carry me to the py-
You might, at least, spare
me his disgusting presence until
the morning
Steady, little woman!" Il
tits a long time un-
til morning, and much may hap
pen in the meanwhile"
Whom do you wish to escort
you, Miss Brinsmade?" the Duke
asked courteously.
Il will walk with Mr.. Cardi-
gan, since my brother is not
here" Rosalind replied placidly
leaned upon my arm.
Would you, my dear Mrs
Leighton" the Duke inquired,
prefer to go with Mr.. De Ver-
denois as your escort, rather than
with your prospective husband?"
81 most undoubtedly would"
Justine replied bluntly.
Very we'll! Then let us pro-
coed. Marquis, your arm. Mrs.
Leighton, Miss Brinsmade, your
most obedient!"
And with him in the lead and
us following We returned to the
pyramid.
At the top of the pyramid
paced the usual guard, who look
ed at us curiously as we assembled
and drew aside for the Duke.
Darkness comes with startling
suddenness in the tropics. AL
ready the shadows were upon us;
in a, few minutes il would be
dark-until the moon, which was.
as l remember, about at its full,
came to its own above the hazy
II assume, my dears," said the
Duke to Mrs. Leighton and Miss
Brinsmade, that you will prefer
to go at once to your quarters,
and to have your evening meal
served quietly there-am l
right"
your Highness is exceedingly
Rosalind replied
coldly.
"To that end, have directed
that for tonight you all be pro-
vided with room in the palace set
apart for our guests. 1t happens
also to be near the chapel
which may not be amiss, under
the circumstances. Beauchamp,
will you do me and yourself the
honor of conducting our guests
to their quarters. Until tomor-
row, my dears!"
With a smile at the women,
and formal bow to De Verde
nois and me, he 'ambled away.
At the guest palace Beachamp
bowed himself away, leaving us
n charge of some functionary In
white and blue, with staff of
office, who, with much dignity,
us into our quarters
two very large bed rooms, with q
sitting room between, on the west
side of the building.
Two maids were in attendance
On Rosalind and Justine; two
Wallets on De Verdenois and me.
In about half an hour, we all
met in the living room; instantly
supper was announced. De Ver-
n a., rxto md - 4, uASI.x.