Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-24
THE DUKES SHARES.
by ,. CRAWFORD SCOTT.
rGonuemens Magazins.l

rlng the seven years II had been in his
possession, as he had lived far within his
income.
Though the bulk OF his money had
hccn acquired in trade, Mr.. Brooke had
never himself engaged in business, aud
,ras rather a swell in his way, A. be was
nmember OF a very select clpb and had
"a large circle OF Sristocratio friends.
But for lis parsimony no might have
been IN Parliament, and, as he did
not lack ability, might have taken a
far more prominent position in society
thaa be aid. lie also was debArred
,rom close intimacy with many mem
heIs Of his club. who would gladly have
rsltiyated his friendship. but he could
never be Induced TO back horye for
more than ave pounds or play whist for
1.sher than hslt-crown points. So
ioreiCn 20 MS nature were expenditure
and speculation Of any kind, that.
though nearly thirty-seven, hO had
.tb,rto reirained from taking a venture
, the instrumental lottery. IN an older
man bis extreme cautiousness would
elvc peen less remarkable, but when
rv6vc he had the prudence Of three
.,aro ard ten.
One afternoon Mr.. Brooke was waiting
rt a crossing near tho Piccsdily entrance
.. lvGo Park till the trsffic would permit
2 hs getting 10 tho other side Of the
s. waeu h,s sttsntion vas attracted to
r, a'atccrstic looking old gentleman
,ho vas standing close by him, with APP
.ar,uty the ssme object as himself. he
rr- 70 t.ue-lookipg mRR, foreigner np-
.sr,ulv. and clearly man OF rank.
.u,t "a Mr.. BrOoke's eye fell upon him
.7r tae second tine the old gentleman
.raIe arun in order to cross the street,
r there was a temporary break in
liza line OF vehicles but be had
observed rapid " advancing ham
u. md in his Efforts to avoid
..c fell. and the next moment he was
-- OPP The horse, which the driver had
, 10 pull up in time Uttering sn
smauon OF horror Mr.. Brooke
-...ed 70 ths rescue. he was the first
. reach tko place, and succeeded in ex-
.rautg the old gentleman from his
u icus position. Fortunately he did not
..o 10 have received any injury. a
sd soon gathered, and when police
SPIN cane I'D 10 take tho cAbman's num-
s- and address the gentleman protected
The fault had been entirely his own,
rI that it was impossible the driver
...l have seen him. On finding that
,e was nothing 10 look at the
..le. began to disperse almost
quickly as they bad col
teL Though he had received no
rv t1e old gentleman TOLD his de-
.-rer thst he felt slightly stunned by the
so when they reached the pave
he walked along leaning on the
-u vtlch Mr.. Brooke bad offered him.
10y had not gone many steps when
'i Brooke suggested that he should
.ai cab; hat IN reply his companion
,3 t5at he had only short distance to
.o and would prefer to walk. SO they
scat together N the direction of Veto
a Owing 10 the opinion which lee
"a regarding the old ReBtleman's sta
.u in lie, Mr. Brooke wss not surprised
. .raru from him that he WAS staying at
. Grosyeuor Hotel. When they reached
ILL.,. hotel entrance, after a few courtly
seids Of thanks, lac begged Mr. Brooke
dc him the favor Of accompanying
n within, and after a slight hesitation
rr. Brooke consented. He was then
.ouducted 70 luxurlously- furnished prl-
.8te drawing room, which evidently be-
poped to one Of the tirst suites. Mr..
Brooke Eat down at the bidding OF bis
host. Who then asked TO be excused for a
short time. and as he spoke he pointed
Cd the dust that adhered IN several places
20 his clothes. When Dir. Brooke found
himself alone he looked curiously
Ground In addition to the costly
furniture which belonged TO tho
room be could see numerous ar
tces which were evidently the
property Of the occupant and in
The elegant and tasteful though unstu-
died arrangement of certain nickRacks
and fancy work there was plainly reveal
sd 10 Mr. Brooke the touch of 3 lady's
hand. ON small davenport near him
ae noticed some note-paper lying, on
wAich was stamped coroRet Suddenly
re started, as his eyes fell upon the most
ucautiul face he had ever seen. 1t WAS
70 portrait on porcelain, OF large size,
which stood framed upon q small OccA-
gional table in a corner. The picture
was that of girl OF not more than
1iueteen or twenty; her hair clus-
tered thicklv over low brow,
-iat was wide aud instinct with
intellect, and the charm OF her exquisite
hirh born features was enhanced by the
rave, pepsiye expression Of the poetic
eyes such a face Mr.. Brooke had
never seen except in sculpture, and be
arose aD0 approached closely ere he
nas cOnviIc sd tkat this WAS portrait
'aksu from life, and not the localized
emory Of ln artists dream.
lie had barely returned 10 his seat
sd er bis hort re-entered the room. In
n4.y tOMr Brooke's question he said that
. was experiencing no evil results from
accident. One OF the hotel servants
-op entered. bringing seine wine.
1T has just occurred to me that have
rot vet introduced myself" said the
aot. as he handed Mr.. Brooke card, on
~ icb appeared the words, 1.-The Duke
ID. MAceaon." Mr.. Brooke would not
ave been surprised had be found that
lbs entertainer was prince. lie now
- pressed bis pleasure at making the
Dukes acquaintance, and gave his own
name, mentioning the more select OF his
.Wo clubs a. HE address.
They had been sitting talking for a
hort time when the door opened. and
dr. Brooke felt his breath suddenly
.hecked IS he behcld tue original of the
ovelv portrait which he had SO greatly (
.dmifed, aud The beautiful vision which .
low dazzled him seemed faircr far than
ho photograph. On seeing him the /,
nl stopped. She evidently expected to /
md the room empty, or Vt least no
tfanger there She was about 10 turn
lsck quickly, when the Duke babe her +
inter-. addressing her by the name /
Jedea. TheH he introduced Mr. Brooke .
. her, calling her bis daughter. the (
luke began to tell her about bis acct 4
lent. and in the course OF his narrative
Le uttered some ordinations IN broken
ughsh, which Mr.. Brooke thought the
weetest music he had ever heard /; and
nee, when her father spoke in warm
suns Of the assistance he bad rendered,
be- met her eyes, which had turned to
Iim with look OF gratitude. When her
ather stopped speaking she esssyed
- words Of thanks, which INSIDE Mr..
jrooke feel IA confused ps as III he had