The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-02

a. -avAA t1sr- bAL up ID tnfS SeofGS TIE
part played by the hagor which you see
on the table before you is somewhat Oh
scures'
Tn, when you'd gone TO pack his things
ne took out q curious little instrument
ne said he had forgotten his key-and
opened the cabinet on the ulanteipiece
ihsn he took cut that pretty mug and
gave II TO me as my wedding present. He
told me that IL was very valuable. and he
would carry IL for me himself, but | de-
eiared that l must carry 1t for myself Or
wouldn't go. So he let me. And then
YOU"
The whole thing is perfectly plain"
declared the duke with emphasis You
madame. have been the victim Of a most
aastaTcIy and coid-b iooded plot This
fellow is swindler. | dare say ne want
Ell 10 get hold OF you. and thus extort
money from your aunt. but his main OBJ
Jeet was no other than 10 carry of the
famous cup which you see before you
me Queen Bess fagon." And the duke.
rising to his feet, began to walk UP and
down in great Indignation. He meant
10 Kill two birds with one stone" said ne,
IN mingled anger and admiration.
1t Is pretty said the young lady. tab
ing up the fiagon. ''Oh, what is this fig
ure on it?''
The duke. perceiviug that the lady de-
sired an explanation. came and leaned
over her chair. She turned her face up to
DIS In innocent eagerness. the duke could
not avoid observing that she had very
me eyes Without making any comment
on the subject, however, he leaned lit
tie lower and began to explain the sig
nincance OF the figure Oh the Queen Bess
fiagon.
The duke has Lzen known to say that.
IN a world so much the sport Of chance
as ours, there was no reason why ne
should not have fallen in love with the
young lady and offered to make her in
very truth what she had dreamed OF be-
eoming-the Duchess of Belleville. Her
eyes were very fine, her manner frank
and engaging. Moreover. the duke hated
To see people disappointed. Thus the thing
might just as we'll have happened as not
And on So narrow a point did the issue
stand that to this day certain persons de-
clare that it-or part of ibid happen;
Tor why, and on what account, they ask.
should an experienced connoisseur (and
such undoubtedly was the Duke Of Belle
ville), present a young lady previously
unknown 10 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 precious thing the
Queen Bess fagon? For the fact is-let
the meaning and significance OF the fact
be what they will--that when the young
lady. gazing fondiy the while on the flag
on, exclaimed: Il never really cared
about him much. but / should have liked
the beautiful fiagon." the duke answered
The was still leaning over her chair, in
order the better to explain and trace the
figure on the fiagonJ:
'Of him you are we'll rid. But permit
ME TO request your acceptance OF the
fiagon. The real Duke Of Belleville, mad
anne. must not be outdone by his coun-
terfeit.''
Really" cried the young lady.
"Of course mUrmured the duke. oe-
lighted with the pleasure he saw In her
eyes.
The young lady turned most grateful
and almost affectionate glance on the
duke. Although ignorant OF the true val
Tie OF the Queen Bess fagon, she was
aware that the duke had made her a very
handsome present.
Thank YOU" said she. putting her
hands into the dukes.
At this moment loud and somewhat
strident voice proceeded from the door Of
the room.
We'll, never! And how did you come
here?''
The duke, looking round. perceived a
stout woman clad in black petticoat
and g. wooden shawl; her arms were
akimbo.
I'VE came in madame" said he. rising
and bowling, '.by the hall door, which We
CHANGED to find open"
The stout woman appeared 10 be at
loss for words. At length, however. she
gasped out:
BE of with you Don't let the in
spector catch you here
The duke looked doubtfully at the
young lady.
THE woman probably misunderstGnds.'
he murmured. The young lady biushed
slightly The inspectors wife advanced
with a threatening demeanor.
Who are you?" she asked, abruptly.
II. madame began the duke 'am
the"
II don't see that II matters who we
are" interposed the young lady.
Possibly not" admitted the duke. with
a smile.
The young lady rose. went to a little
mirror that hung on the wall, and adj
justed the curIs which appeared from un-
der the brim OF her hat.
Dear me-" said she. turning round with
a sigh, ii: must % nearly o'clock. and
my aunt always likes me TO be In before
daybreak."
The stout woman gasned again
Because of the neghbors. you know"
said the young lady, with smile.
Just So" assented the duke. and pos
sibly he would have added more, had not
the woman uttered an inarticuIate cry and
pointed 20 his feet.
Really. madame" remarked the duke.
with some warmth. '1t would have been
IN better taste not to refer to the mat
ter" and with severe frown he offered
his arm 10 the young lady. They then
proceeded towards the doorway. The In
spector's wife barred the passage. The
duke assumed a most dignified air. The
woman reluctantly gave way. Walking
through the passage, the young lady ard
the duke found themselves again In the
open air. There were signs OF approach
ing dawn.
Il really think 1 had better go home
whispered the young lady.
Az this rnomeut-ard the duke was not
in the least surprfsed-they perceived four
persons approaching them The inspector
walked with his arm through the arm cf
the young man who had claimed TO he the
Duke OF BeilevilIe- Following. arm IN
arm with thu driver Of the brougham.
came the policeman whose Uniform TIE
duke had borrowed. AL the party except
the inspector looked uneasy. Iae III
sDec;or aupeared somewhat puzzled. How
sver hs greeted ths duke with q cry of
welcome.
Now we can End out The truth OF /:
alr' he exclaimed.
To dnd out truth" remarked The duke.
sis never easy and moi always desirable"
- understand tina; you are the Duke Of
Beilsvilfee" asked the inspector.
Certainly said the duke.
.Tosh!' sad the young man oh, yoQ
krosE me-. Inspector Collins. ard ! know
YOU. and IN not scEng - Try ard play
II on YOU any more. But this chaps TO
more the duke than arr, and ] should
have thought you might have known oas
OF your own policemen"
The inspector turned upon him aeTce.y.
None OF your gah. jos simpson said
- -~ye- turning % Tire duke he co-tfn-