The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-03-05
CHAPTER XIII
BuckinrliAm's Gratitdue


In a room aboye.siairs which hie
grace had commanded IN an inn at
tho corner Of Paternooter Row. they
sat alone, the Duke 81 Buckingham
and tho man To whom he owed his
life. There was no doubt OF the cX'
tent ~ the debt. as both we'll knew,
For on that night. long years ago,
when his graee lay faint and wound.
ed on that stricken field Of battle. he
had fallen a prey 10 a pair Of those
human jaeitais who aoour the battle
ground 60 strip tho living and the
dead. And then out % tho surround
ing gloom had sprung young HOLES.
brought 20 that spot BY mereHi
chance. His heavy out'Rndthrua,
blade had opened tho skull Of the
villain who welded knife. where.
upon hts fellow had incontinently
fled. Thereafter. half supporting.
half carrying the lovely wounded boy
whom no had rescued. the young
crowmcllian officer had ausstsdi him
20 the safety and shelter Of royallst
yeoman's cottage.
A table stood between them. and
on thar table a quart Of burgundy
which the duke had called for. that
he might entertain his guest.
an my heart said HOLES, II al.
ways believed that va should meet
again ono day; which n why ! have
chung % this jewel. Had l known
your name. should have sought you
out. "A Il was. harbored the con.
viciion that Chance would bring me
across your path"
Not Chance. Destiny" said his
grace. with quiet conviction.
why. Destiny. II you prefer 20
call !; 40. This jewel now I, i very
oddi have chung 20 q, thru all
these years. ns l have said; I have
chung 10 Il thru some odd shifts
which the sale q u nigh, have re-
iievcd. chung 20 Il against the day
when We should mec, again. thar 4
might servo rs my ercdentiai,' lie
did not add that 20 him tho eldest
thing % oil was that today. AZ the
very moment OF this meeting. he was
on his way 10 sell Tho jewel. com.
PEELED to q az las; By 1ircst need.
Tho duke was noddlng. hia face
thoughtful. Destiny. you see. II,
was prcoFaalnrd. The meeting was
fcr.iosd. Did I not say boY'
And again HOLES asked him. a. 10
had asked before: ''Forctold b.
whom
This tins the duke answered him
"Isy whosnf ~ tho stars. They
are th1 only true prophets aud their
messages arc plain 80 him who can
read them. ! suppose you never
sought that loreT''
iIollea stared az him moment.
Then no shook his head. and smiled
in manner to Imply his contempt
Of charlntanr.
7 arm soldier. sir" he said.
WHY, 80 am I.-when tho occa.
sion serves. But that DOES not pro.
vent me from being a reader Of ths
heavens. a writer Of verse. a law
giver IN the north. a courtier here.
and several other things besides. Man
in his time plays many parts. WHO
plays one only may NJ well play
none. To live. my friend. you must
sip at many wells OF life.
when Just now you chaneed upon
me-" no concluded. II was playing
hero and lover. author and hummer
all In ono. and playing them all so IN.
successful that ! never found myself
IN moro ve1atious part. You raw.
perhaps. how the little wanton used
me- He laughed. and yet thru his
laughter ran a note Of bitterness. 1T
IL Of yourself. sir. that would hear.
What are you now that were once a
Commonwealth man7''
''Nobody's man at present. I have
seen 4 deal Of service Ainco those
days. both NJ homo. and abroad. yet
Il has brought mo small gear. as you
can see for yourself"
The duke raised his eyebrows. lis
Il 30 bad? | vow am Ericvcd." Hts
face settled into the lines Of courtc-
GUS regret. But II IL possible may
be Of service 20 you. There IL a debt
between us. ! should welcome tho
opportunity to discharge It. What Is
your name. sir7 You have not told
me.
Randall Holes, lately n
colonel OF horse In the Stockholders
service"
The duke frowned rcficctivcly.
'Randai Hollcs7" he echoed slowly,
auestionlngiy. That was the name
Of a regiclde who i. But you can.
not be he. You are too young by 20
years >. :"
"He was my father" said the
colonel.
"ohr' Tho duke considered him
blankiy. II do not wonder that you
lack employment hero In England