The Delta independent., 1889-01-29

Spare titles. Call me only sir,
Without detailing my plan, will inere-
ly say that it will require you to &c
back with ,nr 10 court, and as soon as
the ettrm is over, we will start. You
can render some excuse to your mother
but take care not to tell her the truth =
"You shall be obeyed," said the
youth, bowling.
The merchant Gas par was seated in
his warehouse, his mind intent upon q
contemplated venture which promised
to be lucrative, when his attention was
attracted by the entrance of page,
richly dressed In court livery, who ad-
vapced toward him, and said, inquir-
ingly:
lis this NJ. Gaspar?"
'It Isl" replied the merchant.
"Ihen have missive for you,'
said the page. ct,
From whom do you Gomez"
"From the court"
"And your missivep" said the mer-
chant; surprised.
"1s from tho duke"
Herewith, he presented n missive,
directing the messenger, as the duke
desired an interview with him. Gaspar
was surprised and perplexed, hardly
knowing whether to feel gratified or
apprehensive at the sudden summons.
''Know you why am summoned" he
asked of the page.
MY master is not in the habit OF
communicating to me his secrets" was
the brief and unsatisfactory reply.
At length they reached the audience
chamber of the duke, and the merchant
was announced. Philip was seated
upon a throne at one end of the apart
ment. Gaspar bent his knee.
~ suppose you are surprised at my
summons" said Philip, abruptly.
Gaspar acknowledged that such was
the case.
81 am told that you have n beautiful
daughter," said the duke, after a brief
pause.
II am willing to leave you to decide
upon that point" said the proud and
ambitious father, in whose breast a
wild hope arose that the duke might
seek her for himself
81 am willing to trust to testimony
responded Philip. II have to tell YOU,
then, Gaspar, that a young man, in
whom am interested, has conceived
II passion for your daughter, and
would fain receive her hand in mar
| rage"
"a court gallant, thought Gaspar,
proudly. ''It is the very thing that
have been longing for"
"Have you any objection to the alli-
ancep queried the duke, "or are her
affections engagedP"
"Nay, my lord"
"But methinks l have heard Of an at
tachment between herself and a certain
young man."
'1t is quite broken up" said
Gaspar, hastily. "He was unworthy of
her."
"Then you have nothing to object to
the alliance suppose?"
May inquire who is the young gen.
tleman?"
'.Is it enough, "said the duke, ,haught-
lily, .that it is one in whom 1 take an
INTEREST,""
"Yes; certainly" responded Gaspar,
hastily, fearing 20 offend the duke.
"How much are you willing to
give your daughter as a dowry?" asked
Philip.
"One-haf of all that possess" said
Gaspar, who though covetous, was am
bilious for his daughter.
''It is enough. l wish the marriage
to take place tomorrow.
Tomorrow! So soonp" repeated
Gaspar. 81 fear me-you know young
girls are full of whims-that my daugh-
ter may object. She may fancy that
she loves the other young man."
"Send her Immediately TO the palace,
and the ladies' OF the court shall so pre-
sent unto her the advantages of this
union. that / warrant me all her
scruples will vanish as the morning
dew"
at shall be done," said Gaspar, bow
ing.
"And mind you breathe no word to
her of the purpose for which she is
called to court"
II will obey your lordship in all re-
spects," said Gaspar, glad to have the
task OF persuasion, which he foresaw
would be troublesome, taken off his
hands.
"Do then as you are hidden. Send
your daughter to me forthwith, and be
in attendance yourself Tomorrow at
twelve to witness the marriage"
Gaspar bowed profoundly and has
tened home, his heart swelling with ex-
ultation, at what he considered the
prospective greatness OF his family.
"For who knows" he thought, "but
that the duke will ennoble me, when
my daughter is welded to noble OF the
court, !" and he privately decided TO urge
upon his daughter, at proper season,
to use what influence she might be able
TO bring to fcar upon Philip for the at
tainment OF this highly-desirable re-
suit.
my presence required at court!" ex-
claimed the beautiful Constance, as her
! father communicated the dukes mes
] sage.
Eyes, my daughter"
"And whercforep"
THAT l know not; but rs Philip is
, fond OF beauty, he has. perhaps, re-
solved to make you lady OF the court. y
/ 81 know not whether that be desir-
able, said Constance, thcughtfully; but
will at least obey the summons"
Good" thought the father, well sat
isfied. ~ would give something Ia
know whether the duke will be success.
full in accomplishing what have moi
been able to do-reconcile her to Civ.
ing up Henry Dumont."
The next day, mindful OF his engage
ment Caspar took his way to the palace
TO his daughter's wedding.
II wish | knew who Ia 10 be the