The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-11

The Duke has been known TO say that,
in world so much the sport Of chance as
ours, there was no reason why he should
not have fallen in love with the young
lady and offered TO make her in very truth
what She had dreamed Of becoming-the
Duchess of Belleville. Her eyes We're very
me, her manner frank and engaging.
Moreover, the Duke hated to see people
disappointed. Thus the thing might just
as well have happened as not, And ON so
narrow a point did the issue stand that
TO this day certain persons declare that
tor part Of it-did happen for why and
on what account they ask, should an eX-
perenced connosSeur (and such un-
doubleday was the Duke Of Belleville) pre-
sent young lady previously unknown to
him Tor, for the matter Of that any young
lady at ALL whether known or not known
to him) with such a rare, costly and pre-
cious thing as the Queen Bess llagon? For
the fact is--let the meaning and signih-
canoe of the fact be what they will--that
when the young lady, gazing fondly the
while on the flagon, exclaimed: 81 never
really cared about him much, but | should
have liked the beautiful hagon.' the Duke
answered he was still Gaming over her
chair IN order the better to explain and
trace the figure on the iagon):
of him you are well rid. But permit
me to request your acceptance of the fla
gon. The real Duke OF Beleville. madame
must not be outdone by his counterfeit"
Really" cried the young lady.
"Of course" murmured the Duke, de-
lighted with the pleasure which he saw in
her eyes.
The young lady turned the most grateful
and almost affectonate glance on the
Duke. Although ignorant of the true value
of the Queen Bess fiagon. she was aware
that the Duke had made her very hand-
some present
nj o1,a
hands into the Dukes.
At this moment a loud and somewhat
strident voice proceeded from the door of
the room.
well, never And how did you come
here?"
The duke looking round, perceived
stout woman, clad in a black petticoat
and a wooden shawl; her arms were AKIN
DO.
I'VE came IN. madame" said he, rising
and bowling, "by the hall-door which we
CHANGED to find open"
The stout woman appeared to be at a
loss for words. AT length, however, she
gasDed out:
BE Off with you, Don't let the inspec-
tor catch you here"
The duke looked doubtfully at the young
lady.
1.-The woman probably misunderstands."
he murmured. The young lady blushed
slightly. The inspectors wife advanced
with a threatening demeanor.
"Who are you?" she asked, abruptly,
Il, madame began the duke, 'am the
f
Il don't see that it matters WHO we
are" interposed the young lady
Possibly not" admitted the duke with
a smile.
The young lady rose, went to little
mirror that hung on the wall and adj
ingtan puF1G which annnaTa1 from
under the brim of her hat.
Dear me-" said she, turning round
with a sigh. at must be nearly three
o'clock, and my aunt always likes me to
be in before daybreak D."
The stout woman gasped again.
Because of the neghbors, you know =
said the young lady, with a smile.
Just So" assented the duke and pos
sby he would have added more had not
the woman uttered an .nartculate cry and
[ pointed to his feet Ht
n Really, madame" rernarked-the duke,
fwith some warmth, ut would have been
i in better taste not to refer to the matter -
arm to the young lady. They then pro-
ceeded towards the doorway. The inspec-
tors wife barred the PASSAGE. The duke
assumed most dlgnited air The woman
reluctantly gave way Walking through
the passage, the young lady and the duke
lOunu lneHselNeS again ll lHe open ait
There were signs Of approaching dawn
II really think / had better get home. -
whispered the young lady.
At this moment-and the duke was not
in the least surprsed-they perceived four
persons approaching them. The inspec-
| tor walked with his arm through the arm
of the young man who had claimed To
| be the Duke of Belleville; following, arm
| in-arm with the driver of the brougham,
! .lg Il.
| duke had borrowed All the party except
the Inspector looked uneasy. The inspector
| appeared somewhat puzzled. However,
| ne greeted the duke with cry Of welcome
NOW we can find out the truth of it all!'
he exclaimed.
ITO find out truth" remarked the duke
sis never easy and not always desirable"
81 understand that you are the Duke of
Beleville?' asked the inspector.
Certainly" said the duke
"Boshw said the young man. "Oh, you
know me, Inspector Collins, and / know
| you, and I'm not going TO try to play 1t
on you any more. But this chaps no
more the duke than | am, and / should
have thought you might have known one
| of your own policemen!
The inspector turned upon him fiercely.
None of your CAB, Joe Simpson" said
he. Then turning to the duke, he con-
| tihued, do you charge the young woman
with him. your grace?" And he pointed
significantly to the Queen Bess flagon
which the young lady carried in an affec-
tionate grasp.
"This lady," said the duke, "has done
me the honor Of accepting a small token
of my esteem AS for these men / know
nothing about them" And he directed a
significant glance at the young man. The
young man answered his look The POI
liceman seemed to grow more easy in his
mind
''Then you don't charge any of them, -
cried the inspector, bewildered
"Why, no. answered the duke. "And
suppose they none Of them charge me?''
Nobody spoke. The inspector took out a
large red handkerchief and mopped his
brow.
Wen, It beats me-" he said. 81 know
pretty well what these two men are; but
If your grace don't charge them. what
can l DOR
Nothing, / should suppose" said the
duke, blandly. And, with a slight bow.
he proceeded on his way. the young lady
accompanying him. Looking back once
he perceived the young man and the dri-
yer of the brougham going of in another
direction with quick furtive STEPS, while
the inspector and the policeman stood