Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-07

one, mamma"
Il really think, Maria" said her hus-
band, ''that you carry your infatuation
about the Duke rather too far. If he
wants an English wife he will seek one in
the old English aristocracy, not in our
rank of life. For my part I'd quite as
socn see our Ophelia married to young
Christopher Scrub, whom we have known
all our lives, as to this French aristocrat,
of whose antecedents we know nothing"
/ dare say you would, john" said his
wife. GAS if Ophelia could be as happy as
Mrs. Scrub as she would be as La
Duchesse de Montanvert, And | have the
highest opinion of the Duke. The zeal he
has shown about that Peony League in
France is most commendable. BY the way,
l have put you down for 200 guineas to-
ward its funds"
The deuce you haye." exclaimed Mr..
Rossendale, "and what is the Peony
League, | should like to know?n
Its interests are the same as those of
the Primrose League, John, only it aims at
| the restoration of monarchy and morality,
instead of, as in England, at their preserva-
ton. Captain Fosse takes the greatest in
tere5t in it. He has actually given $500,
while the Frumps have given $500 and
Others in proportion. We couldn't for
very shame, have promised less than 200
guineas"
Just then the bell rang, and Captain
Fosse was announced. He seemed rather
excited, and looked round the room with
an air of disappointment I" had hoped"
he said, "to have found the Duke here.
Have you seen him to-day have hunted
for h L.. / I.
| either him or Vincent"
He has not been here for two days"
was the reply. DR.. Knowall told us
he was suffering from rheumatism No
doubt he has gone off suddenly to Bath"
I" He would hardly have gone, think"
said the Captain, without letting me
know. 1t is most mysterious"
The next day, on inquiry at the Hall, it
was ascertained that letter had come
from the Duke, bearing the London post
mark, and saying that his doctor in the
metropolis had ordered him off instantly
to Aix-les-Bains, whence it was hoped,
that after a short period he would return
| completely convalescent.
Then were there searchings of hearts in
Littleswamp. After baslling so long under
the sun of ducal glory, the little place
seemed plunged back into an intolerable
state of Cimmerian gloom Depression
was far and widely felt, but nowhere more
keenly than in the Rossendale family.
One day a stranger called on them, a
quiet-looking, elderly gentleman, who be-
gan to make inquiries about the departed
tenants of Beresford Hail. When he had
heard all they could tell him, and that the
Duke and his friend had gone to Aix-les-
Bains, whence they hoped to return in
lew weeks, the stranger seemed overcome
with unaccountable merriment, as he said:
The Duke will never come back"
"Oh! but he has said that he WILL" OBJ
jected Mrs. Rossendale, surprised at his
manner, and family alarmed.
Hell never come back from Aix-les-
Bains," said the man, for the best of all
possible reasons, that he's no more in AK
les-Bains than | am"
Pray explain yourself, sir" said Mrs.
Rosendale.
My dear madam, this Duke you've all
been entertaining so graciously is one of
the greatest rogues and impostors at this
moment in England or out of it. We've
long wanted him at Scotland Yard, but it
appears he has again given us the slip.
The Duke de Montanyert and Mr. Edwin
Vincent are simply Jonathan Coppin and
William, his brother. They were tailors
originally, became bankrupt, and then took
to life of adventure and amusement"
Then occurred scene. Ophelia burst
into tears; her brother whistled her
father grinned; her mother all but tainted
" dare say" said the detective, "they
did not leave without getting some money
out Of the place, but l should be glad if
you would explain to me the manner"
MIR. Rosendale told him about the Rony
League, after which the gentleman left,
laughing with bitter scorn, as he drove
away, at the facility with witch the wor-
ship Of rank and blood had rendered this
foolish neighborhood the dupe of two
clever impostors
But the neighborhood was not long in
awakening and bitter that awakening was.
Captain Fosse, the Frumps and the other
contributors to the Peony League deplored
the loss of their money, but the Captain
had to deplore, in addition, the loss of his
reputation. Where's the Duke ?" urchins
called after him, and Duke" was
scrawled in chalk all about his black
palings. The tradesmen who had been the
dupes of his stupidity and who had never
had penny of their money from the
Duke, revenged themselves on the Captain.
They giggled audibly as he passed. they
were most insulting to his sons. But,
verse than this, they threw of Unionism,
and many who had been true-blue Tories
all their lives, followed the stream, and
declared their intention of voting for Row
antree. Rowantree became more and more
popular every day. His speeches were
spiced with sarcasm and invective that ex-
actly suited the taste of the time. The
Captain, on the contrary, failed to get
hearing at all; storms of ridicule and
shrieks of laughter, mingled with objurga-
lions, drove him from every platform, and
when the election took place Rowantree
headed the poll with an enormous major
ity. And Ophel:a? She married, after
all, young Christopher Scrub, with the
willing consent of her mother, who no
longer attached that Importance to consid-
erations of Blue Blood, on the value of
which she had received so severe lesson.
-Belgrarid.
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