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

experiencing no evil results from his accl-
dent. One of the hotel servants now
entered, bringing some wine.
at has just occurred to me that l have
not yet introduced myself" said the host
as he handed Mr.. Brooke card, on which
appeared the words, "The Duke of Mace
DON" Mr.. Brooke would not have beer
surprised had he found that his entertainer
was a prince. He now expressed his
pleasure at making the Dukes acquaint-
ance, and gave his own name, mentioning
the more select of his two clubs as his ad
dress.
They had been sitting talking for short
time when the door opened, and Mr.. Brooke
felt his breath checked as he beheld the
original of the lovely portrait which he had
so greatly admired, and the beautiful vision
which now dazzled him seemed fairer far
than the photograph. On seeing him the
girl stopped. She evidently expected to
find the room empty, or at least no stranger
there. She was about to turn back quickly,
when the Duke bade her enter, addressing
her by the name of Medea. Then he In
troduced Mr. Brooke to her, calling her his
daughter. The Duke began to tell her
about his accident, and in the course of his
narrative she uttered some exclamations in
broken English, which Mr.. Brooke thought
the sweetest music he had ever heard; and
once, when her father spoke in warm terms
of the assistance he had rendered, he met
her eyes, which had turned to him with a
look of gratitude. When her father
stopped speaking she essayed a few words
of thanks, which made Mr.. Brooke feel as
confused as if he had been sensitive boy.
Then she rose and left the room. Mr..
Brooke thought that he could detect an
unmistakable resemblance between father
and daughter in the deep blue eyes and
finely chiseled features.
When they had talked little longer to-
gether, and Mr.. Brooke was on the point
of leaving, the Duke said GAS my stay in
London is short and 1 may have no other
opportunity of seeing you, will you do me
the favor of breakfasting with us tomorrow
morning?" This invitation surprised and
delighted Mr.. Brooke, so without hesitation
he accepted it. Halfpast ten was named
as the breakfast hour, and the Duke added
that no one would be present except himself
and his daughter.
"One word before you go, said the
Duke, after he had hidden Mr.. Brooke
goodbye "Pray do not mention my name
to any one meanwhile, as | do not wish my
presence in London to be generally known" 7"
II shall observe your request. Your
reasons are doubtless political, " said Mr..
Brooke, smiling.
II shall explain my reasons tomorrow
morning" was the reply. As Mr.. Brooke
walked away he felt as though he were
treading on air. He could scarcely collect
his thoughts; the events of the last two
hours differed so much from those which
usually entered into his rather commonplace
life; and he was conscious of sensation
which partonk both of joy and fear, and
was such as he had never before experienced
He soon entered hanson in order to drive
to his club, and ere he alighted he had
seriously asked himself the question whether
he was in love; and to his dismay he was
unable to answer in the negative. As he
was held to be slightly eccentric, no one
paid much attention to his thoughtful ex-
preston and absorbed mood that afternoon.
His behavior did, however, cause few to
conclude that he must be maturing some
plan in order to save and invest his money.
Mr.. Brooke was really considering the
question whether the Duke of Macedon
would be likely to regard him as an eligible
suitor for his daughters hand. He knew
that Greek nobleman was not person who
would probably be very rich, and he won-
dered if his own money would have sufii-
cient weight with the old man to overcome
any scruples which disparity of birth might
awake. As to Medea herself, he believed
she was gentle, afectionate girl, who in
this matter would be guided solely by her
father, and that if he had the chance it
would be easy to win her by proving the
devotion of which he was conscious. Mr.
Brooke was not man of great wealth-as
wealth is reckoned nowadays; but he never
theless possessed large means, and it is GER
tain that many English noblemen would
gladly have accepted him as son-in-law.
As Mr.. Brooke neyee tQok any one into
his confidence on the subject Of his money,
it is impossible to say what he had. Never
before had the matter occupied so much of
his thoughts as it was doing now; and ere
he went to sleep, which was at no early
hour, be bad decided that, without making
declaration, be would endeaEor to discover
next morning what manner of spitor the
Duke of Macedon would think worthy of
his peerless child.