Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-04-21
Jones' JOuSt With
the Duke " ~
BY CLYDE NORMAN


kIoW be good and sensible.
IN George, and don't say mean
things. You know there never was
any engagement between us and you
have no claim on me. Mothers heart
is set on my marriage to the duke and
he is a very fine gentleman. And,
George, you know | never could en-
dure a prosy. commonplace life.
! can't help IL If / am romantic and
like castles and coats-of-arms and
family portraits and ancestral tradi-
tons and liveried servants and all that
sort of thing"
The girl began the speech with a sort
Of gentle defiance. but ended in
lamely apologize tone.
The face of the young man, which
was flushed from his passionate re-
monstrance, grew pale while she spoke
and the fire died from his eyes, which
looked steadily into hers
But you do not love him and you
do love me. he said.
you presume too much" she re
piled, flushing now in her turn. Sir
Charles is a nobeman both by name
and nature and admire and respect
him. OF course, have been fond Of
you, George, but you have no right to
assume that | love you"
A slight smile trembled on the lips
Of the young man.
There are some occasions and some
words you seem TO have forgotten" he
said For instance, one moonlight
evening at Lake Geneva"
Now. George, don't be mean" she
interrupted, sharply. "Of course, /
have been fond OF you and l am fond
OF you, but a girl don't have to marry
the first young man who makes love
to her-even If she has liked him and
let him say foolish things 10 her Now
do be sensible and don't spoil our good
friendship. II II were only the good
old days Of chlvalry when men fought
for their lady loves. You could go in
and settle IL between you, but ! am
so dreadfully weak and mamma is so
strong. and her head is set on this
match that l simply cannot oppose
her"
A strange light leaped into the
young mans eyes
"If II were in the good old days and
rode up in armor on white charger,
fought your duke to defeat and picked
you up under your mothers nose and
despite your fathers protests and rode
away. would you be happy with meP'
"Oh, that would be beautiful" she
exclaimed. clapping her hands. But
what's the use Of talking about 1t. We
live in prosaic times and men are as
weak and spiritless as women. II must
be dreadful for a man like Sir Charles,
with all the heroic blood OF his race,
TO moon about in a dress suit like or
binary men" She ended with a sigh.
THE days Of chiyalry are always
here" he replied slowly. "and men al
ways have fought for women and al
ways will. The only difference is in
the weapons Good night.
He turned abruptly to leave her.
Now. don't be ugly and horrid
about it, will your" she said. "sir
Charles is to be here next week to
spend fortnight Mamma is prepar-
ing to announce the engagement. Don't
make It harder for me "
depend upon me" he replied. smil-
ing broadly.
In due time appeared Charles Arthur
Fitzmorris. twenty-frst duke Of Bat
tleborough. viscount OF Chiselhurst
baron of something or other and a
baronet The papers never did get his
title In twice alike With him was
great array of boxes and bags and
trunks. servants and paraphernalia,
the details Of which only travelling no.
bility knows. George Jones was duly
introduced to his rival and greatly
puzzled Beatrice Derwent by the con-
descending friendliness of his manner
He seemed almost to pity the foreigner
and acted more like the successful
| sutton than the rejected. II was at a
reception at the Derwents and as he
made his adieux he whispered to Be
atrice:
Il have arranged that joust with the
duke"
And she looked at him aghast and
replied earnestly:
'Georgel Don't you dare make
scandal"
A few days later shortly after si1
o'clock in the evening she was sum
moned in haste to the reception hal
and found George Jones.
There's somebody at the milwaukee,
depot who wants to see you on very i'm
portant matter" he exclaimed, breath
lessly. "The train goes at seven O'CLOCK
and she did not have time to come
here to see you, and asked me to come
and get you. There's a carriage wait
ing at the door. Just throw on YOU
cloak and come on. There's JUS
time"
Goodness gracious! what Is II al
about?" she gasped. "Who is it?'
81 don't know what it is about" h
replied mysteriously, but ! suspect
and I know you will be sorry If you