The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-01-05

/ Dut. uCAbS ASAANo"f
he resolved to stick to his guns and trust
to the chances of the chapter of accidents.
refrain, for decencys sake, from mar
rating ali the little arts and intrigues which
the supposed matrimonial intentions of the
Duke called into play. Suffice it to say
that the mother of Ophelia distanced other
competitors in the success with which she
I improved the intimacy This is not love
story, so there is no need to go into details
/ 1t was difficult to say whether the Dukes
intentions were serious or whether his be-
havior was merely French politeness. As
for 0phelia, she could not get herself to
care for him; only as dutiful and sensible
girl she would never have dreamed of re-
4 jecting proposal had he seen fit to make
one. Fitzhubert began to be urgent with
his father and mother that it was full time
one of them asked Pure Cerulean his In
teutions; to which his mother replied:
/ aFitzhubert, how absurd you are; as if
one could treat the Duke like an ordinary
gentleman
"He is certainly most extraordinary
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 viii seek one in
the old English aristOcraey, not in our
rank of life For my part I'd quite as
soon see our 0phelia married to young
( Christopher Scrub, whom We have known
T all our lives, as to this French aristocrat,
Of whose antecedents we know nothing.
Il dare say you would John, said his
/ wife. 'As if 0phelia could be as happy
as Mrs. Scrub as she would be as La
I nuchesse de Montanvcrtl And | have
the highest opinion Of the Duke. The
zeal he has shown about the Peony League
in France Is most commendable. BY the
WY, have put you down for 200 guineas
toward its funds
The deuce you have exclaimed Mr..
Rossendsle, sand pray what is the Pcony
League. should like to know!
It's interests are the same as those Of
the Primrose League, John, oaly il aims
at the restoration Of monarchy and morality
instead Of. as in England, at their prcser
vatiou. Captain FOsSe takes the greatest
interest ia Il. He has actually given
$500. while the Frumps have given E300,
and others in proportion. We couldn't
Cor very shame, have promised less than
zoe guineas,"
jus, then che byll rang, and Captain
Possr was announced. He seemed rather
excited, and locked round the room with
an air Of disappointment. Il hsd hoped,
F be said, ito have found the Duke here.
Have you seen him today? have hunted
for him everywhere. bat nobody has seen
either him or Vinccat
aHe has no, been here for two days,
was the reply "Dr KnowAll told US he
was sufIcring from rheumatism. No doubt
he has gone OF suddenly to Bath.
He would hardly have gone, think,
said the Captain, without letting me know.
IL Is moss mysterious.
The next day. on inquiry at the Hall,
it was asccFtAined that letter had come
from the pake bearing the London Postmark
and saving that his doctor in the mstropo-
lis had ordered him OF instantly to Aix-les-
+ Bains, whence, it was hoped, that after 4
short period be would return completely
eonyaleScent.
Then we're there searChings Of hearts in
+ Littlcswamp. After basking 80 long nm
der the sun Of ducal glory the little place
seemed plunged back into an intolerable
state Of Cimmerian gloom. Depression
was far aud widely felt, but nowhere more
kcenly than ia the RoSsendale family.
One DAY stranger called ON them--a
quiet looking, elderly gentlcman-who he
gan TO make inquiries about the departed
tenants of Beresford Hall When he had
heard all they could tell him, and that the
Duke and his friend had gone to Aix-les-
Raius, whence they hoped to return in
few weeks, the stranger seemed overcome
with unaecountAble merriment as he said.
The Duke viii never come back.
Oh but he has said that be viii, OBJ
jected Mrs. ROssendale, surprised at his
manner aud family alarmed.
Hell never eome 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.
RoSsendale
"My dear Madam, this Duke you've all
been entertaining SO graciously is one OF
the greatest rogues aud impostOrs at this
moment in England or cut of it. We've
long wanted him at Scotland Yard, but 1t
appears he has again given us the slip.
The Duke de Montanvert and Mr.. Edwin
Vincent are simply Jonathan Coppin and
William his brother They were tailors
originally, but became bankrupt, and then
took to a life of adventure and amusement.
Then occurred scene, Ophelia burst
into tears; her brother whistled; her father
grinned; her mother all but tainted.
Il 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.
Mr.. Rossendale told him about the
Peony League, after which the gentleman
left, laughing with bitter scorn, as he drove
away, at the facility with which 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
CaDtain Fosse the Frumps. and the other