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

tenu 10 trust me, OF WnOm you know n0tn-
ing, with such large sum of money-in
fact, as you have told me, with all the
money you possess p
"There is nothing" replied the Duke
in quick manner, ''with which | would
not trust you; my faith in you is bound
less" Medea had also risen, and with a
smile, extended her hand.
"You need not bid Mr.. Brooke good
bye" said her father; she will soon return,
when he has executed my commission. y
Mr.. Brooke put the bank-notes in an in
ner breast-pocket, and buttoned up his coat
Mr.. Brooke was so astounded that when
the Duke said ''Of course you will not
mention my name, but let it appear as
though you were buying the shares for
yourself" he could only utter few awk-
ward and scarcely Ineligible words Of
compliance.
CHAPTER III.
When Mr.. Brooke left the hotel he
walked little way before he was able per
fectly to collect his thoughts, and then he
entered hanson in order to be driven tc
the city. While he was pondering on the
almost incredible confidence that had been
placed an him, terrible doubt suddenly
entered his mind as he asked himself the
question: care the notes genuine?" This
thought caused sharp pain to shoot
through his heart, because if his dread
was confirmed he knew that his idol would
be broken and lost to him for ever. AT
this moment the cab was passing rapidly
along the Strand, and just opposite Coutts's
bank he babe the driver stop, and, alight-
ing, entered the building. Unbottoning
his coat he took out the roll of notes and
handing them to cashier, he said; GCan
you tell me if these are all right?' He
had an account with the bank, so he was
well known. The cashier rapidly turned
over the notes, and then said, "Shall put
this ten thousand to your credit, sir?
"They are all genuine?" Certainly"
With radiant face Mr.. Brooke hurriedly
held out his hand and received the notes
back; and then, muttering something about
having to pay the money in the city, he
placed them in his pocket again, and left
the bank with such an elated expression
that the cashier, who was looking at him in
surprise, had some doubt as to his sobriety.
Mr.. Brooke's spirits had indeed undergone
a striking reaction since the period of their
depression before he entered the bank; and
when he reached the Office of his stock
brokers, contrary to his wont, he appeared
to be under the influence of considerable
excitement. The firm which did business
for him was of high standing on the Stock
Exchange, and, as rule, declined to under
take speculative transactions. The partner
to whom Mr.. Brooke gave his order knew
him well, and on hearing his clients wish
he looked at him in surprise.
"Of course" he said, "you know what
you are about?'
Perfectly" was the reply. The astute
broker saw that his client possessed private
information, and without saying another
word he left the Office and entered the
Stock Exchange. In less than twenty
minutes he returned aud told Mr. Brooke,
who was waiting, that the order was execut-
ed and that the shares had been got at his
own price-namely, twenty shillings each.
Mr.. Brooke received his contract note, and
as next day was settling day, he thought it
best to pay over the ten thousand pounds
at once, which he did, on the understand
ing that the shares were to be delivered to
him as soon as possible.
Well satisfied with the rapidity with
which he had transacted his business, Mr..
Brooke left the Office in order to return to
the Grosvcnor Hotel He had not gone
many steps when it occurred to him that
he ought not to permit such favorable
ofmakingmoRey toslip through
his fngefs, especially as the Duke would
be the reader to listen to his suit if he
were still wealthier man and a co-proprietor
with him in the Phrygian mines. As the
result of these deliberations Mr.. Brooke
hurriedly retraced his steps to the brokers'
office and gave a second order, this time to
the extent of twenty thousand pounds.
No comment was made now upon the trans
action; 1t was clear that Mr.. Brooke knew
Just as he was leaving Capel Court
with his two contract-notes in his hand
Mr.. Brooke met Sir Charles Davis, one of
the titled members of the Stock Exchange
and a member of the same club. ''Do
you know anything about the Phrygian
gold .mines9" asked Mr.. Brooke, and at the
same time he held out his contract-notes.
Sir Charles glanced at the amounts, and
said ~ have just seen the tape, and they
are quoted one and half If you follow
my advice you'll take your profit at once. !"
'I have bought for investment.
"Yoq mean to take them pp9" Seer.
tainly." Sir Charles gave low whistle of
surprise. "Well," he said, "no wonder
they are going up if you are bulling them
10 that extent. Tell us what you know"
Mr.. Brooke shook his head as he placed
she CONTINGENCIES in his pocket-book.
''You are cute fellow said Sir Charles
.dmiringly; and as he went away he delib
Grated whether he ought not to buy few .
tPhrygians" for himself, but ultimately
lecided not to do so.
When Mr.. Brooke returned to the
Grosvenor Hotel he found the Duke await
ng him, and he naturally manifested great
on learning that his business
lad been transacted, and that the shares
lad already had rise. As Mr.. Brooke,
to his instructions, had bought
he Dukes share in his own name, he be-
,an to speak about their transferrence; but
he Duke said there was no hurry about
hat and it could be arranged at any time.
Ir. Brooke felt that the confidence repos-
d in him was almost sublime. Medea
vas not in the room, and Mr.. Brooke
waited in eager expectation Of her appear
nee; but she did not come. His disap-
however, almost disappeared
vhen the Duke invited him to dine with |
hem two days later. He therefore left the
Iotel in good spirits.
On going to one of his clubs that even
ng Mr.. Brooke was questioned by several
f the members regarding the Phrygian
old.mines. Their curiosity had been ex-
tied by Sir Charles Davis, who had told
everal of his friends, as an extraordinary
iece of news, that Brooke had s'gone a
uster in Phrygians." As Mr.. Brooke's