The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-12-18

eQCc.
eyes, I did not allow for som
delays at the docks, Noel nodded
"Sorry to have kept you waiting
Sit down. You have brought tn
information | wanted?"
The private detective permitted
himself to smile.
ooh, certainly, sir Very sim
pie, and, if l may say so, mucl
pleasanter work than we generally
have" He drew a note book from
his breast pocket. "You wanted
information concerning a Miss
Bruce, of a family of that name
who lived on Madison avenue"
"Yes!"
Miss Constance Berkely
Bruce" the man read. "Born al
the above residence June 4, 1892.
Educated in New York and Eur
ope. Debutante four years ago.
Married April 20, 1913, to the
Hon. Cecil Rhodes Lancaster, of
Fairmeade Manor, England. Pres.
ent residence, London, England
He closed the note book with a
cheerful snap and waitd.
Absolute silence held the room.
David Noel did not move; not a
line of expression changed in his
face. Only he lowered his gaze to
the cigar between his fingers, so
that his eyes were hidden.
Not too dull to suspect a ro-
nance, the other man copied the
example Of silence; meanwhile
glazing alertly around the rose
and gold apartment by way of di-
version.
Have you by any chance a per-
sonal description Of Mrs. Lancas-
Noel finally spoke.
II saw her once, sir, at a big
ball where [ was on guard against
5hieves," the man answered. He
.ooked his surprise at this devel-
opment. "A handsome young lady
brown hair and eyes, and a nice
complexion"
There was no mistake, then! The
description fitted too we'll. Noel
deliberately reached for a match
md relighted his cigar.
Very good!" he said, when the
ask was ACCOMPLISHED. "You I'M
lerstand that l wished to trace
childhood friendship. The lady
vas 10 years old at the time / last
aw her. Let me write a check for
our charges"
81 hope the service was salts
actory, MI. Noel?"
"Quite."
That was all. When the little
detective presently bowed himself
Tut, David Noel turned his back
Lpon the trail Of the magic shoes.
Or, rather, the trail had run out.
80 far it had led him, by such
TRANCE ways, yet up, always up!
lie had the emotions of one who
las struggled toward some sun
mountain peak through a
hardships and bitter dis
engagements, and who finally,
oil worn, SCARED, reaches the
:ovcted goai-to find that tie
ummit its barren, a naked rock.
The princess was married! Now
e wondered why he had expected
else. What to her
Gould the street boy have seemed
'ther than a hungry sparrow on
window sill, or one of the
many beggars who doubtless had
,rofited by her sweet generosity?
In that country which he had
made his, David Noel had been
licknamed the Reconstruction. An
Jour after the detective had left
lin he was resolutely busted in
constructing a new purpose in life
o take the place Of the shattered
me,
He told himself that he could
lot possibly feel any sense of per
'onal loss, SO delicate, vague and
had been that innocent
owe dream. he had worked and
quilt his success for his own sake:
or months at a time he had not
lad athought to spare for the girl
,hild. True, she had stood on the
peak. Hers had been the
in the far off Temple of
Success, but
But that was over! He had come
lorth to take a wife. Very well.
lie would take one. He wanted .
lome, and he needed a wife in his
career.
The princess was married-yes,s
tut there were other princesses
1e calmly made his decision. He
marry one Of the beautiful
'astidious. extravagantly reared
Americans whom he was certain
o meet in New York and Wash.
ngton. He would spend on her
IA lovich maa1+h mnan& for +ho