The Delta independent., 1889-01-29
A Duke in Disguise.
BY HoRATIo ALGER, JR.

disguise going forth to seek such
adventures as might present them.
selves. On one occasion, being over
taken by u storm, he took refuge in 6
small house just on the outskirts OF the
city of Bruges. The house was neatly
furnished, but still in plain, inexpen
sive manner. The door was opened by
Q matronly-locking woman, to whom
the duke addressed his petition:
.My good dame, I have been sudden
ly over taken by the storm-will you
in your kindness, allow me to tarry
with you until it is overp'
t'With pleasure" was the reply
yet as there are those who go abou,
with evil designs, l should feel more
willing il knew your name and con.
dition.n
''You may judge from my dress,
said the duke, evasively, "that I am q
merchant, and for my name, you may
call me Philip Frendrau."
''Do you do business here In Brugesf
Methinks I have never heard Of that
dame"
'Here and elsewhere. My business
calls me to different parts of the king
DOM
"You should carry on an extensive
business then?"
$50, so," said the duke. eat any
Eate, l manage to gain a comfortable
support. You are widowp''
''Alas! yes, sir. My husband died q
year or more since"
"Have you any childrenP"
"One-a son of twenty-one."
"What business does he followp"
Il fear me he will never follow any,
-'And wherefore not?"
because, sir, he is at this moment
violently in love, and his suit does not
prosper"
''The lady does not smile upon him,
thenp"
mot so,' said the widow, little
proudly. .She must indeed be blind
not to love my Henry, but it is the
father who objects"
'And what is the ground Of his OBJ.
jection?n
"He is wealthy and we are not"
'Perhaps he thinks your son for
tune hunter"
'.He knows better; but the worst O.
1t is, that, but for his evil practices
my son would be rich as himself"
'.Ha" said the duke, growing more
attentive. Let me know how that is
If you have no objection"
'.You must know then, fair sir, tha,
NJ. Gaspar and my husband were part.
pers up to the time when my husband
died. They were engaged in pros.
porous trade, and were both thought tc
be rich-equally SO, for both began
with the same capital, and he expended
as much for living as we. But when
my poor husband died suddenly, and
left NJ. Gaspar to settle up his affairs,
1t was found that only one-tenth OF the
whole establishment belonged to him,
while NJ. Gaspar claimed the rest"
"And did he give no explanation ol
this great differencep"
None
"Humph! this must be looked into.
And now he declines your sons suitP'
"Yes."
''Qn the score of his povertyp"
"That is what he says"
''And is the daughter really worthy
of his love?"
"Richly, SIR"
''Then she cannot take after her
father"
"She is in all respects like her
mother, who was lovely woman, but
M. Gaspar treated her harshly, so it is
said, and she died, at length, Of neg
lect,"
'Do you know whether M. Gaspar
has any particular alliance in prospect
for his daughterP"
81 do not know, but hear he has
sworn-that he meant to secure one OF
the young lords Of the court for her."
"Ha! he is ambitious; and yet there
is more than one who would prove but
unworthy Of her, il she is really as
beautiful and attractive as you say"
doubt it not, sir; she is all that ]
have told YOU"
Sand your son-where is he? l
should like to see him, and il take a
fancy TO him, who knows but / might
advance his suit!'
''He is even now coming up the road.
He will be here in a moment"
The duke kept his eye fixed upon the
door through which there presently en-
tered a young man Of fine form and
handsome features, but the last were
overcast by u gloomy expression. He
entered the room with downcast air,
And did not even glance at the stran.
ger, but threw himself wearily upon q
settle in one corner, and buried his
face in his hards.
Henry" said his mother, "do you
not see our guestp"
He looked up slightly. and nodded,
saying:
He would find me but poor com
pany. mother. l had best leave him tc
you"
''But he is interested in you, and
thinks he might help you in your suit =
"Have you told him the storyp"
"Yes."
''Then he will see that 1t is hopeless
unless he shows me how / can multi
ply our present wealth by ten."
perhaps NJ. Gaspar can be brough
TO terms otherwise" suggested the
duke, composedly.
There is no hope of that" sait
Henry.
Possibly Eiay bring some argu
mcnt 70 bear upon him that you know
not Of"
"You do not know him as / do. IL
is n hard man and cares only for mon
,ey. He has cheated me out OF m
! right, and, because am poor, he woul'
reject my suit"
"Ycs; understand all That. but still
! am not discouraged. I have though