Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-24

7 WIS net IBhu OF Rreat Nehlt3-ab wealth.
is reckoped nowadays but he neverthe-
less PossesSed large means. and it is GER
tam that many English noblemen would
gladly have accepted him as a son-in-
law. AS Dir. Brooke never took any
one into bis confidence on the subject Of
hig money, it is impossible to say what
he had. Never before had the matter
occupied so much Of his thoughts as it
wss doing now and ere he went to sleep,
which was at no early hour, he had
decided that, without making a declara-
lion, he would endeavor 10 discover next
morning what manner of sutton the Duke
OF Macedon would think worthy of his
peerless child.
ii.
Next morning at the hour appointed
Mr.. Brooke returned to the hotel and
was kindly received by his host and his
lovely daughter. After repast, the
character Of which seemed fitted for the
refined beings for whom it was prepared,
Mr.. Brooke accompanied father and
daughter to the room in which he had
been on the previous day. Now that he
was in the presence of his enchantress,
Mr. Brooke felt that he would be power
less to carry out the resolution which
ne lad formed OF seeking to learn
the views which the Duke entertained
regarding his daughters future. TO act
so prematurely would, he thought, be
almost a Decoration Of her divinity.
But it was almost certain that a friend
ship formed 50 fasorably and progressing
so Auspiciously would continue and
when he was invited to their an
cient homo, then among the wales OF
Greece. Mr.. Brooke'a reyerie WAS in
terrupted 10y the Duke, who had also been
bordering. Medea had taken up
volume of Tennyson her father had
already explained that although bis
daughter could not speak English, she
could read it fuently.
There is a small favor ! wish to ask
Of you" said the Duke, addressing MIR.
Brooke, "but before / state it must
give you few particulars regarding the
history of lny family" His daughter
rose as if she were about TO leave tho
room. "stay, Medea, said her father;
81 wish that you, too, should hear what
/ have to say" So the girl sat down
again, in an attitude of attention,
fixing upon her fathers face look
OF flial regard. Then the Duke con-
tinued: "My family was ancient before
some Of the proudest dynasties OF Eu-
rope had their origin. l can trace my
lineage back, through the period of my
country's greatness, till it is lost in the
dim twilight Of fable. The only Ian
gusge which my daughter can speak is
the language spoken by her ancestors
when il breathed from the harp Of Sap
pho and swelled III the thunder Of De-
mosthepes " Such declaration might
well explain the fire which, contrary to
their wont. appeared in the old mans
eyes.
"But do not think" he proceeded,
"that possess an inordinate pride In
nv descent, for | am not q rich man
and rank without wealth is, in my opin-
ion, contemplate. OF the two, when
divorced, think money the preferable
and, especially for my daughters sake, L
would, were it possible, freely barter tho
qualification which | have for that which
] lack" So Mr.. Brooke, without any
effort on his own part, had learned the
Dukes sentiments upon the matter
which he had SO much at heart. BE had
redeemed like schOol-boy, and his eyes
plainly beamed with satisfaction. The
Duke had paused, and was appa-
rently awaiting a reply; so Mr..
Brooke said --a and, almost uncon-
sciously, he had looked round at tho
luxurious apartment ere he spoke
Wealth is, of course, a comparative
term for what would be opuleRce to
man Of moderate views might be poverty
10 a noble Of high rank" 81 shall not
conceal from you the extent of nay
means, and although, as you may infer,
| am neither destitute nor in any way
dependent, my entire capital would not
equal the annual income Of poor Eng
hsh noblsman." SIR. Brooke heard this
statement with unmixed satisfaction, and
could not help thinking that it was rather
mean Of hun TO feel pleasure for such q
cause.
al have come TO London" continued
the Duke, Gin order to invest the money
[ possess, and before leaving my coun-
try realized all the property had for
this purpose. You will, doubtless, con-
lecture that had special object in
view. Such Is the case, and il my ven
ture prospers, l shall no longer be n
poor man though l may not become
wealthy in the English acceptation OF
the word. ! shall now lay before you
nv plan, as / am confident that it is safe
in your keeping. and that you will mot
divulge it" Mr.. Brooke was about
to make some pFotestation OF his
good faith. but the Duke raised
his hand to signify that this was I'M
necessary aud proceeded "Fcr many
generations il was tradition in my
family that il ever a time Of need should
arise our fortunes would be restored by
the riches which were contained in u
small territory which we owned in Phry-
gia.. There were known TO exist here
certain old gold-Inines which had re-
NAMED unworked probably from the time
OF the ancient Persian monarchy, but 4
which were thought still 10 contain large /
auriierous deposits. None OF my ances-
tors, however, seem to have had I
the energy TO reopen the work
ings; or, perhaps. fortunately for
they never experienced
the need OF doing so. My father, how
ever, who at one period of his life WAS
much 10 want OF money, instead OF seek
ing to test the accuracy Of this tradition
OF our house. actually sold the territory
where the old mines wers situated.
Since my fathers death | have often
resolved TO obtain again possession OF
this land and recently, chiefly for my
daughters sake. decided TO take active
steps ia the matter. Bat as found that
All 1 had in the world would be needed
to purchase the ground, which in other
respects would have proved but poor
investment, l determined that ere |
concluded the bsrgais l should per-
sonally investigate the value of thsaod
workings, After some trouble ! made
he discovery that our family tradition
had fallen far short Of the truth, and
dat tbs mines stu contained untold