Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-03-08
A DUKE IN DISGUISE.
by uoRArIo ALcER, JR.

ventures as might present themselves
On one occasion, bel & overtakcn by n
Storm he took refuge in small house
just on the outskits of the city of
Bruges. The house was neatly furnished,
but still in plain, inexpensive manner
The door was opened by IL matrcnly look
ing woman, to whom the Duke nd
dressed his petition:
"My good dame, have been suddenly
overtnkcn by the storm--will you, in
your Kindness, allow nc to tarry with
you until il is over."
with pleasure, was the reply.
with evil designs, | should iccl the more
willing if knew your name and condi-
ton
you may judge from my dress, " said
the u&c, cvasively, "that / am n merch-
ant. and for my name, you may call Inc
Philip Frcndrau."
DO YOU do business here in Brugcs (?
Methinks have never heard of that
name"
''IIcrc and elsewhere. Ny business
ca'is me to different parts of the king
DOM"
You should carry on an extensive
business, thcm2"
$50. SO, said the Duke. AT any
rate, l manage to gain comfortable
support. on arc u widow"
"Aas yes, sir. My husband died II
year or more since"
''ilave you any children?'
g, ne-a son Of twcnty.onc."
What business does he follow?o
~ lear he will never follow any,"
"And wherefore not"
because, sir, he is ut this moment
violently i'll love, and his suit does not
prosper
The lady does not smile upon him,
"Not So" said the widow, little
proudly. "shc must indeed be blind
not to love my Henry, but it is the
father who oh Gets"
And what is the ground of his OBJ
jcction?"
''ile is wealthy and we are not.n
Perhaps he thinks your son Il fortune
hunter
lie knows better; but the worst Of
it is, that, but for his evil prat ticcs, my
son would he ms rich as himself"
"lla" said the duke, growing more
attentive. "i ct me know how that is,
if you have no oh cction."
YOU must know then, fair sir, that
Nj. Gaspar and my husband were part
ncrs up to the time when my husband
died. They were engaged in II pros.
porous trade and were both thought to
be rich-cqually SO, for both began with
the same capital, and he expended as
much for living as we. But when my
poor husband died suddenly, aud left NJ.
Gaspar to settle up his affairs, it was
found that only onc-tenth of the whole
establishment belonged to HIM, while NJ.
Gaspar claimed the rest"
And did he give no explanation of
this great difference"
".None."
"Humph, this must be looked into.
And now he declines your sons suits"
"Ycs"
con the score of his poverty"
"That is what he says"
"And is the daughter really worthy of
his ovc."
"Hichly, sir'
Then she cannot take after her
father"
"She is in all respects like her mother,
who was lovely woman but VI. Casper
treated her harshly, so it is said, and She
died, at length, of neglect"
"Do you know whether VI. Gaspar has
any particular alliance in prospect for
his daughtcr?"
81 do not know, but I hear he has
sworn--in fact he told my son so the
other day-that he meant TO secure one
OF the young lords of the court for her. ~
''l.a. he is ambitious; and vet there is
ore than one that would prove hut un.
worthy of her, if she is really rs beautiful
and attractive us you say"
Doubt it not, sir; she is ali that have
told You"
"And your son-wherc is he? should
like to see him. and if take fancy to
him, who knows but | may advance his
suitn
lie is even now coming up the road.
lie will be here III moment"
The Duke kept his eye liked upon the
door through which there presently
n'ercd young man OF fine form and
handsome features, but the last were
overcast by gloomy expression. lie
entered the room with downcast air.
ana did not even glance ut the stranger,
but threw himself YEARLY upon settle
Ill one corner, and bur cd his face in his
hands.
Henry" said his mother, "do YOU
not see our gucstp
lie looked up slightly, and nodded
saying:
He would find me but poo. company.
mother. | had best leave him to YOU !"
"But he is interested in YOU. and
thinks he night he p YOU in your suit. u
Have you told him the story"
"Then he will see that it is hopeless
unless ne shows Inc how | can multiply
our present wealth by ten.
Perhaps NJ. Gaspar can be brought
to terms otherwise, suggcs ted the Duke
composcdly.
"'lherc is no hope of that" said
Henry.
'.Possibly may bring some argument
to bear upon him that you know not of. )
- on do not know him as do. liz
is hard man and cares only for money
He has cheated me ont of my right. and
because am poor, he would reject mn
eyes; understand all that, but still
am not discouraged. have thought
OF q plan which ] could wish to discus.
with You in private NV crood lol,, (,