The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-14

PART 7.
MI Ven CortlandBrowne was rich,
niddle-agcd, and widower. In addi-
tion to these great advantages, Mr. Van
Cortland-l}rown had other qumliiica'
tons, which, If not peculiar to him
self, he firmly believed lad given him
Q great lead in life's race over ordinary
mortals. lie was convinced that there
S,as not o man in the United States who
had such very blue knickerbocker blood
In his veins as himself. It's intelligence
was not OF the highest orIer, nor his IN
formation the most extensive, yet he
had sufficient of both to know that the
name Browne was English. III it had
leen plain Brown, so great was his dis
like of common things, he would have
bad il changed by act of the legislature,
but the final 'e" redeemed IT, and IN
duced him to believe it was of Norman
origin and that there was Browne who
I1ought with William the Conqueror Mt
Hastings. and whose name was IN
scrIbed high OH the Bate Abbey role.
Ore of Mr.. Van Cortland-Browne's
most precious possessions-for apart
from his interest he believed that he
Lad permanent chattel mortgage on
the girl-was his beautiful and accom-
plished daughter, Florence, at this'time
Just twenty-one, and legally her own
mistress.
Miss Florence Van Cortland-Browne
presided over her fathers, beautiful
summer hcme, AT Eagles Nest on the
Palisades, overlooking what some one
has called the "Lordly Hudson"
Eagles Nest was the center OF hos
pitality. It's doors were always open TO
the blue-blooded friends of Mr.. Van
Cortland Browne and his daughter.
The most frequent visitor during the
summer of 1895. was Commodore Blake
ley Horton-Smith, prosperous, hne-
looking young broker whose title was
eiven him by the nearly unanimous vote
Ct the St. George Canoe club. Mr.. Van
Cortland Brownies only objectiors to
Commodore Blakeley Horton Smith
were his last name and the well-known
fact that his father had made his for
tune in lard.
AS became a man of his antecedents
end position. Mr.. Van Corl.and-Browne
was gallant 10 the ladies. as he himself
expressed il 'cap pied" His nearest
nsighbor was Mrs. Mai. Floyd-Floyd
Jones, a widow. lady of independent
fortune, fine presence, end, IL rumor
were to he credited, engaged to Mr.. Van
CortlandBrowne.
A few miles above Eagles Nest lived
Col. Washington Johnson, n southerner,
. bachelor of fifty. of doubtful fortune
but of positively brilliant antecedents,
sud. like most men haiiing from his Sec
ton, he was ready TO fight, If anyone
doubted that his family was not only
the first i'm the state but in the whole
lnnd.
II Col. Washington Johnson had an
nounced his purpose to go back to the
south and never TO return, or If he had
been called away by what coroners'
iuries used TO describe as "a special act
OF Providence" Mr.. Van Cortland
Browne would not have regarded either
event rs an irreparable misfortune.
1t must be acknowledged that while
Mrs. Mai. Floyd-Floyd Jones was lady
cf the highest character she was not
Indifferent 10 the attentions of the other
sex, even after her engagement to Mr..
Nun CortlandBrowne. And as Col.
Washington Johnson, who was n tall.
athletic man, was evidently determined
10 win his way TO the widows heart,
II he had TO destroy all rivals, the mas
ter of Eagles Nest was not so happy
as his blue blood and wealth would
warrant.
Mr.. Van Cortland-Browne considered
himself handsome uan, an opinion
shared by Miss Florence. who. in this
matter at least. he believed, voiced tn
opinion Of the great world. But, un