Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07
The PRINCESS DROGUCA.

NO. Herbert, l can't do it. You
will have to get out of the difficulty by
yourself 1t is useless my going to
your father any more; he said the last
time he would never again cripple
himself by paying your debts. His
mind is made up about it; and even if
it wasn't | know he has not got the
money. As for me, ycu know l have
not"
Then what on earth am l to do?'
INQUIRED the Hon. Herbert Farnham.
THE Jews will do no more for me-
I'm broke and that's the truth. They
say there's a baronet working down at
the docks, glad of three shillings day
when he can get it. ! suppose / shall
come to that"
Lady Chetwynd looked at her favor
te son and smiled a Ii tile. 1t was a
funny picture That OF this grand
creature, rcsplcndent with the beauties
Of nature appropriate to a "masher,
and adorned by clothes perfectly built
working at anything but the obtaining
as much amusement as possible out Of
life The smile was but transient on
Lady Chetwynd's handsome face; it
died away soon, and she fell into pro
found thought. Presently she said
very gravely, "There is your Aunt
Margaret"
"What of her?" inquired the Hon.
Herbert looking up from his admira,
BILE boots, which he had been studying
attentively, possibly wondering whether
the hundred wcll-cut pairs that stood
in his dressing room would be of any
use to wear out when he was dock
laborer, or whether it might become
necessary to have a sale of his personal
belongings.
"Well- know she is in England.
She wrote and told me so, in fact.
And it has occurred to me, once or
twice. to wonder whom she will leave
all her money to-
HAS she no one?" inquired the Hon.
Herbert quickly.
mo one at al, I.believe; absolutely
no one She was an only child, and
with no near relatives, when she mar
ried your uncle George. That is how
she came to be sole heiress to such an
enormous fortune"
"Made out of sausages, wasn't it?"
"Oh, no; nothing worse than pickles
and jam. I'd have forgiven her the
source of her money, for, her father
being dead when she married, it might
all have been forgotten, but l found it
difficult to forgive her for being her
eolf."
"What's the matter with herr"
asked the Hon. Herbert.
"Well'-said Lady Chetwynd, hesi-
tating a little, "she's -vulgar--and-
rather flighty. She never seemed to
me good enough for George"
"Why did he marry her, them"
"Oh, as for that" answered Lady
Chetwynd, her color rising slightly, "I
believe he married her for her money.
I can imagine no other reason"
"Ahv' said her son; "then she's been
married twice for the same reason, ]
suppose?"
"Yes," observed Lady Chetwynd,
that second marriage made me more
angry with her than ever. Now, her
second husband is dead, l really wish
she would call herself Mrs. Rolleston
again. instead of going about as the
Princess Droguca."
"Never mind" said the Hon. Her
bert; "as the prince cleared out with
out squandering her money at cards
I'll forgive him his sins and even speak
respectfully of his memory. Now tell
me where to find my Aunt Margaret,
the Princess Droguca. Surely I must
have inherited some Of those fascina-
ting powers you and Uncle George
seemed to have possessed in common;
] will try them on her. | viii be-
humble, dutlful, the most eyen1nlary