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


might have had for neighbors. 1t practi-
cally insured his return st the coming
election, but feel there should be some
thing in the form of a testimonial.
The besttestimonial, my dear lady, that
we can offer to the Captain viii be the
warmth of our welcome to his distinguished
friend, who. | hear, Is only taking the
Hall for the summer and autumn, with a
view to its possible purchase next year
should be End everything to his liking.
"we mus, see that he does, said the
lady ferven,ly, and her nimble brain
travelled in twinkling over such thoughts
as piDcics and tennis parties. new dresses
for herself aud 0phelia, a new suit Of
evening clothes for John. course of
French reading for Fitzhubcrt. In the
midst of this rush Of thought she suddenly
asked. Has he large family? Are his
sons and daughiersof ageg'
Dir. KnowaIl smiled MY dear lady,
the Duke is youug-more than that, he Is
unmarried.
Soon after that stroke the Doctor leii
his patient to her own reflections. Need
l say that these we're Of the most joyful
SORT? Brilliant visions flashed before her
mind. and kind Of second sight seemed
TO merge the present with the fntare As she
read in the Court Journal and Morning
Post Of a certain approaching marriage IN
high life--,hat of an actual wedding, With
full account Of the dresses Of the bride,
Of the bridesmaids, and Of the brides
mother. The cake, Of coarse, vas furnish
ed by Gunter, and the gifts were al of a
princely description. She was already
wondering what proseat the nake would
give his bridesmaids, and hssS she could
eon,riye the ahsence Of certain objection
able relations Of her husband. when an aP-
palling reflection arrested her other dsagh-
,ers besides 0Phelia might cherish asPira-
tions; other mothers might rival herself in
ambition or Outwit her in resource
She determined to be promp,--io be, if
possible, frst in the Geld. 30 that even
ing she did thrse thing, she had a ma
terual conversation with ophelia, Who by
delicate method Of lhOughi-iFansfsreSoe
she inspired With certain hopes tn which
there was no need To give open usteran0e-
She wrote to Poole's to send nan to take
Johns measure for sundry new and be-
coming garments. She wrote to Rolandi )
70 recommend 10 her 6rst-Fate French
master and to send her some Of the newest
French literature.
/ Mean time great preparations were made
at the Captains, who vas to entertain his
/ illus,rious friend for a brief period tall
/ Beresiord Hall bad undergone certain deco
rative changes, suitable to the exalted rank
of It's expected occupant, The Duke bad
put this matter almost entirely in lhe Cap
tains hands, who was TO order all reqni-
sites with free purse, and as much as
/ possible from the local tradesmen. This
added immensely to the Captains popu-
larity, and it was generally felt that his
+ Liberal opponent for the Dext election
might as well vaeate the field at once, Tbs
| Captain daily expected the Duke, together
with bis faithful Achates and companion
who rejoieed 10 the name of Mr. Edwin
/ Vincent.
/ One day the Duke telegraPhed to tbs
/ Captain begging him TO send aud meet him
/ by train due at Littleswamp late that
afternoon. But the telegram, unlnekily
was never delivered, for it fell out of the
bearers pocket, and being found by small
boy wis by him promptly torn to pieces
the bearer, when be discovered the loss
wisely relying on circumspeet silence. Thc
consequence was disastrous, for the Duke
and his satellite stepped on arriving into 1
carriage which they took to be intended fol
themselves, but which had really been sent
by the Rossendales for the tailor from
Poole's and the French master from Ro-
landi's who happened to be coming BY tn,
same train. When they arrived the butler
who had no notion of attempting to an
nounce the French master by name, ush
cred the Duke into the drawing room, frs
showing his companion into the study
there to await the pleasure of his master
The Duke seemed rather puzzled at first
but he imagined that his host and hostess
were for the moment engaged, and that th,
strange lady aud her daughter were fellow
guests with himself under the Captain
hospitable roof
Tea was served, and the usual common
places of conversation exchanged, aftel
which Mrs. Rossendale rang the bell, anC
babe the butler send Mr. Fitzhubert down
"This is my son, she said, as she intro
dueed a strapping, graceless youth of sew
enteen. 'It is my wish that he SHOULD
have the benefit of conversations with yo,
in your native tongue (Fitzhubert, don
giggle =
@With the greatest of pleasure sai'
the Duke graciously.
! @You will also read French with my