The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-07-21

| pAuUCuO vi btCn uClu "
large extent. On the day succeeding that
the excitement continued; all the shares
had been bought up, and they were
at premium. Mr. Brooke might have
sold his shares at an enormous profit, but
he was waiting to consult with the Duke,
from whom he had heard nothing, though
he had written to him. On arriving at the
hotel at the hour that had been fixed for
dinner, Mr.. Brooke was terribly disap-
pointed on learning that the Duke had
suddenly been summoned abroad, and,
with his daughter, had left for the Cont
nent that evening. Mr.. Brooke had been
looking forward to such triumphant and
happy time! His vexation, however, was
somewhat modified by the belief that he
must soon see the Duke again, as he still
held the shares that belonged to him. Mr.
Brooke had resolved to consult the Duke
upon the matter, but he now determined
to sell his own shares and so secure the vast
profit which their rise had brought him.
He accordingly wrote TO his brokers that
night instructing them to sell his shares as
soon as the market opened next morning.
Various causes kept him awake for long
time, and when at last he fell asleep his re-
pose was restless and unrefreshing. 1t
was therefore late when he rose. As soon
as he had taken breakfast he went into the
city to see that the brokers had carried
out his instructions and to learn what
price the shares had brought. When he
entered the office he saw the partner who
had bought the shares for him.
"What did you sell them at? asked Mr..
Brooke in an eager voice,
HThey are not sold yet, )" was the reply,
spoken in somewhat supercilious tone.
"Why?" asked Mr.. Brooke, who was
evidently displeased, "my letter must have
come by the first post, and
awe got your letter in good time-had
there been any market. But the fact is
Phrygian shares are unsaleable at any
price; 1 doubt if you could get a shilling
apiece for them"
Mr. Brooke sank into chair and stared
at the speaker in helpless fashion. He
did not attempt to speak, and the broker
continued:
II have always had very high opinion,
sir, of your prudence and financial ability,
and I would consider it favor if you
would tell me how you were induced to
put so large a sum of money into bubble
such as this" 1t has been said that he
had advised several of his clients to follow
Mr.. Brooke's lead, and he wished to be
able to reconcile them to their losses by
giving some more satisfactory reason for
his advice than any he had at present.
But Mr.. Brooke uttered not a word in re-
ply. "You first bought the shares" con-
tinued the broker, ato the extent of e10,-
900; and soon afterward you returned and
risked another 100000. You must have
been influenced by some one in whom you
had great confidence"
"No one advised me- to buy the shares" "
The broker on hearing this uttered an ex-
claimation of surprise; but before he had
time to say anything more Mr. Brooke had
hurriedly left the office. Mr.. Brooke tried
hard to struggle against the conviction that
the Duke of Macedon had deliberately de-
deceived him, but the fact that the Duke
had shown himself so indifferently about
having the shares transferred to him, and
also his sudden departure, seemed to point
to fraud Mr.. Brooke's doubts about the
matter entirely disappeared laterin the day,
when he learned the reason of the great
fall in the shares. A telegram he heard,
had reached the Stock Exchange from some
one who had been sent to inspect the
mines, and his report was that the old
mine was absolutely worthless; that appar-
emily it had once, many years ago, been
worked fol- lead or silver ore, and ii, as had
been allegded, gold had recently been discov-
cred, it must have been placed there. Mr..
Brooke knew now that he had been made
a victim of novel form of the old econ
fidence trick" which had been performed
on gigantic scale by man of talent and
edueation, who possessed thorough know
ledge of human nature. But was it pos
sible that that loving face, which still con-
tinued to haunt him, could be the mask of
an abandoned heart? Mr.. Brooke could
not believe that; he knew that she was in
nocent; and yet depressing fear would
sometimes arise Many of his friends who
had lost by their speculations assumed
very unkindly expressions when they saw
him; but as he had never advised anyone
to invest in the Phrygian mines, it was
impossible to blame him openly Although !
it was known that he had lost heavily, he
was still wealthy man; so that many,
when they saw his pale face and downcast |
expression, wondered why he was taking
his loss 30 much at heart They were ig-
norant that it was not the loss of his money
only that he was grieving for, but that he
had lost his faith in man, and almost his |
faith in woman.
More than month passed by, when one
evening at public dinner he met MEM
ber of the Athepian Legation whom he
had numbered among his friends many
years before. While talking to this gen
tleman Mr.. Brooke abruptly said, after a
brief reyerie:
"Have you ever heard of any one in
Greece called the Duke of Macedon?"
81 know him well, was the reply Il
mean by reputation, continued the speak
er, "as | cannot boast of a personal acquain-
tanoe."
81 should like to know something about
him."
'The information possess regarding him
is limited, but weighty. He is, l believe,
the greatest swindler in Europe. He is
throughly unscrupulous and possesses great
abilities. He is no common rascal, who
for the sake of few hundreds, or even
does something that brings him
into the hands of justice. He is only at
tracted by stakes of the greatest magnitude,
and he seems to be able to secure his plum
der without falling into the clutches of the
law 1t is singular fact that his victims
are invariably reticent regarding their loss
es, and so faF from seeking to punish their
iefrauder they generally do their utmost
TO conceal their injuries. Hemust possess
/ large amount of capital, and he is. thus
able to conduct many operations which
would be altogether beyond the scope of
my ordinary adventureE, A short time
lgo he was concerned in raising loan for