The Afro-American advance., 1899-10-28
AN ACT OF PROVIDENCE.

IN run Dy tnHbces anu no Dut Gun tbhht
me think differently"
We had been spending an evening at
whist, and now that the game was over,
we four had enjoyed a social cigar be-
fore separating.
The talk had turned upon serious
matters, and Amory, an agnostic, had
advanced his favorite theory that
everything was governed by chance
alone.
Clark, who had studied for the min
istFy, but was now in business. had
combated with him for vigorous half
hour. and as the night WIS old, and we
were about 20 part, II was evident from
Amory's last remark that he had not
been convinced.
"For myself" said ]. also rising, 81
have listened TO you both. and have
said nothing; but II you will come 20
my rooms tomorrow night. ! agree TO
tell you a story that bears upon the
matter, and then you can better decide
which theory Ia the right one"
IL was agreed, and the next night,
after a little supper, my three friends
settled themselves about my open fire
and told me TO begin.
"You will remember my brother-in-
law, Merriam. Of the navy? Well. -
years ago. he was In Paris, on leave. He
had Rood-lookinR, smart valet, for he
knew but little OF the customs Of the
country, and needed some one TO as
nlst him. and he thought he had q most
desirable servant, until one night he
woke 10 see the fellow at his cash-box.
with dark.lnntern at one side.
Ned did not wait. but Hpringing
from his bed he seized the man, and
they had n hand-to-hand struggle In
the dark. for the lantern was over
turned the first thing
Merriam was OF good size. and II
was evident that he was about overpow-
ering the valet when the fellow stabbed
him. and slipped from his grasp out Of
the door and escaped. The wound was
not bad one, and ms he had IN turn
given the thief good pounding he did
not follow.
upon examining his cash-box. he
found that the man had only taken
some 800 francs and handsome meer.
achaum pipe that he had recently
bought, and. feeling himself n stranger
In a strange land, he concluded to call
the matter square and not 10 go to the
police at all. which conclusion he fol
lowed. and he never saw his valet In
France ngain.
"Whcn he returned home. naturally
he told of the experience and described
the pipe 10 me, rs II was a curious one,
aud seemed TO be the thing that he most
regretted losing.
at was a Turks head. small. and
with flowing hair and beard, with the
mouth open, as II laughing, and In the
back of the mouth the artist had In.
serted one small gold tooth that could
only be seen II you knew where TO look
for II.
"it was Just the sort Of thing a naval
officer would fancy and spend his mon.
~ for. and as | say, II was the one
article that Ned most seemed Go miss by
the robbery.
"Five years after the occurrence that
have related, au old client Of mine In.
troduecd me 10 a gentleman one day by
the name OF nupray. He was n French
man who had come 20 England To en-
gage In business, and In some way had
become acquainted with Mr.. Leroy.
"Leroy was merchant. rich, queer,
and with no family but his daughter.
Now this daughter, strangely enough,
was entirely opposite To her father.
"He was homely, she was beautiful;
he was queer and rough; she was one OF
the kweote women that ever had the
good fortune 10 meet; he wanted every.
thing his way. and she was willing Co do
his will In every particular but one, and
in that upheld her against her father
and to his disgust
"She wanted to marry young man
who was doctor in ncighhoring
town. while her father desired that she
should make grand match with some
one who should raise her from the level
on which she was born.
"a few days after my FIRST meeting
with Dupray. Leroy came 10 my Office
In a most merry frame OF mind, and In
" AeW hhbAAthtN AhuuhHtth Ah me iHAf
the Frrnchman was In love with his
daughter, and would marry her II he
would allow H.
"Thc Frcnehman was willing to set.
tie on her all the property that her
father might leave her, 50 that he was
not after her fortune.
"'lIe's fine man. too, Hamilton
said the old merchant. rubbing his
hands. comes OF one OF the oil fam.
lilies. and has plenty of money. l
think we shall make a good thing OF Il
II Marcia marTies him
"'well. suppose she will, OF course.
n you demand Il. said l. Knowing how
strong WAS his control over her, and
wondering whether she had given the
young doctor up. What tlocs she say p
"rhs old fellows faee sohcrvd.
"srhat girls the apple OF my eve. as
you know: bus she's rs stubborn as her
old daddy she refuses. unless can
produce what she calls proof Of the
high standing Of Dupray. and he has
snt TO France for the papers.
Il thought for moment aud then
said;
WAS the wedding to have been al
once. before she made this demand"
That's It. wanted her to have
n