The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-02-21
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.tivate him, win his devotion. Why
not? He is comely youth (guapo CHI.
COY; you have made eyes at worse.
You must and shall. BY heaven. If |
thought you meant 10 play me false
He checked himself abruptly and
with sudden peremptory "h-sh," and
came out to invite us most cordially to
enter the box. There was nothing to
show that any difference of opinion
had but Just agitated Its occupants.
Both husband and wife were smiling
Bweetly; the dukes voice Che was a
small, spare man, with cleaning eyes
and gllstening teeth in his dark olive
face) was now so smooth and silky that
/ could not imagine that 1t was the
same l had heard In such harsh and
rasping, angry tones. His manner, too,
was full of that punctllous Formally
that goes with the highest breeding in
the blue booded don.
! The lady ut was she who had been
staring at mel sat now perfectly quiet
and self controlled There was no
trace of emotion about her as she well
coined me, with marked anxiety to be
pleasant and make me feel at home.
!. The entr'acte was not yet ended, and
the duchess swept her soft draperies
aside to give me room by her side in
the front of her box, where | was in
full view of the whole house, Frida
Falrholme included.
l. "Why, Captain Wood, this is really
kind of you," she began, "to take US
In this informal way. Directly read
of your accession to old Mr.. Nc
Waught's fortune, was most anxious
to meet you. We knew your uncle
no?-well, your relative. Mr.. Nc
Taught was friend Of our family in
the old days. l never knew him my
self, but have often heard my father
speak of him and of his great wealth.
WIFI you let ME congratulate you-and,
Pepe'-this was to the duke-"have
you congratulated Captain Wood? OF
course you have"
, "Es claro-of course-I know that
Captain Wood is one of the chief of
fortunes favorites. But believe me,
senor milo, you have also come into
great trouble. Vast wealth is ter
rlble burden; to use 1t Alright is a
grave responsibility. Especially SO
when-you will pardon me, Captain
Wood-it has come undcserved."
"But, Pope, It is not fair to say that.
Captain Wood was a relation-he had a
right to Inherit"
= II only mean that Captain Wood
does not know, probably will never
know, whether there were not others
with greater claims-moral claims, |
mean-on Mr.. Mcknight That thought
would always rankle with me. Vaya,
i would rather it was you than me"
"Do not let him disturb you, my dear
Captain Wood. The duke has rather
extreme views in theory, but he knows
that wealth Is wealth. Although we
have no vast store, he would be sorry
to surrender it."
Il We got very friendly, quite confiden.
tial together, she and l, as we talked
on, tetc-a -tete, the duke having gone
off somewhere with Lawford.
"Of course you have not yet tasted
the Joys Of possession. 1t is all very
new TO YOU still"
II hardly realize it, indeed, or what
shall do with It,"
"Your first business, Captain Wood,
believe nae, will be to keep your for
tune She spoke very gravely, look
Ing at me intently over her fan. Half
The world will be in league to rob you.
Alb, but yes, l am in earnest. You men
lall naturally into three classes
fogues, fools, and policemen
"And to which, pray, do bclongT'
| asked lightly, not taking this bitter
remark at all seriously.
mot the first, | am sure, it would be
I bad compliment to say the second,
but If you were wise, you would GER
tainly become the third. A whole police
force In your pay would not be toe
many to protect YOU"
"Are you in earnest?" l said, sud
denly struck with something In hel
eyes.
every much SO, Captain Wood. If
were friend, an old friend, let us say
] would counsel you, strongly urge
you, to be constantly on your guard
very much on your guard
As she spoke a deadly pallor over
spread her face, which was high color
ed, as is often seen In very fair haired
women, even when still quite young
Her husband had returned silently,
might have said stealthily, .>and sht
first had caught sight of him standing
there behind me. Why was she thu
terrified? Because the duke had heart
her last words?
Whether or not the Duke Of Tierrt
Eagrada had even heard his wife
when so earnestly counseling me to b.
npon my guard, was unable to judge
1t least, he made no sign. His manner
was perfectly quiet and natural, ant
be spoke 10 an unconcerned tone whel
he pressed me to keep my seat In thu
front Of the box.
At the next interval he said yer!
eourtcously: do you propose to sta!
for the 'Cavalleria RusticanaT Would
you care to accompany US? Our car
riage Is here. Susette will be yer!
pleased to present YOU" -.
"You are very good" I said. y
should like to go very much II l ma!
run away early. ! have couple o.
balls tonight"
1t was a curious and not unimportan
circumstance, when viewed by tn
light of later events, that the three
houses I was to visit that night wer'
within stones throw Of each other.
The first. that Of the Dos Rios min