The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-10-15
CHAPTER xxvI.-continued.

CHATTER XXVI.-Continued.
1t has been on my mind more
than once during the last few
years--ever since. in fact, heard
OF you at college-to write and in.
form myself as to your prospects
In life. You are the son of nv only
sister, although regret to say that
you are the SON also of a man who
dfseraced himself and his profess
sion You have claim upon me
which you have made no effort to
press. Perhaps l do not think the
worse of YOU for that In any case,
l wish you to accept an allowance
OF which my lawyers will advise
You. and II you will call upon me
when you are in town / shall be
glad to make your acquaintance. l
may say that it was a pleasure to
me to learn that you have succeed
ed In obtaining responsible and
honorable post. am, yours sim
cerely, Michael Trogoldy."
l took pen and paper, and an
swered this letter at once.
my Dear Sir Michael:
AS l am your nephew, and, l
understand, almost your nearest
relative, see no reason why /
should not accept the allowance
which you are good enough to offer
me. l shall also be glad to come
and see you next time am in Lon
don. II it Is your wish. Yours sim
cerely. Guy Ducaine."
urOoton brought in my tea, also a
London morning paper which he
had secured in the village
Il thought that you might be in
terested in the news about the
duke. SIR" he said respectfully.
What news, Grooton?" / asked,
stretching out my hand for the pa
per.
you will find a leading article
on the second page, sir, and another
In the money news. 1t reads quite
extraordinary, SIR
opened the paper eagerly. /
read every word of the leading ar
ticle, which was entitled ''Noblesse
Oblige." and all the paragraphs in
mot surprise me in the least when
once had read the circumstances.
1t was Just what / should have ex-
pected from the duke. 1t seemed
that he had lent his name to the
prospectus of company formed for
the purpose Of working some worth
less patent designed to revolution
lie the silk weaving trade. The
dukes reason for going on the
board was purely philanthropic. He
had hoped to restore an ancient in
dustry in a decaying neighborhood.
The whole thing turned out to be a
swindle. One angry shareholder
stated plainly at the meeting that
he had taken his shares on account
Of the dukes name upon the pros
pectus, and limited ugly things. The
duke had risen calmly in his place.
He assured them that he fully rec
ognized his responsibilities in the
matter. Ii the person who had last
spoken was in earnest when he
stated that the dukes name had in
duced him to take shares in this
company, then he was prepared to
relieve him of those shares at the
price which he had paid for them.
uFrther, If there was any other per-
son who were able honestly to say
that the name of the duke of Row.
chester upon the prospectus had in
0uced them to invest their money
In this concern his offer extended
Also to them.
There were roars of applause,
Wild enthusiasm. 1t was magnifi-
cent, but the lowest estimate of
what it would cost teh duke was
Hundred thousand pounds.
| put down the paper, and my
cheeks were flushed with en-
Ghusiasm. l think that If the duke
had been there at that moment
could have kissed his hand. pass
ID with much elss interest to the
BETTER which Grooton had brought in
with the paper. 1t was from a firm
Of solicitors in Lincoln's Inn, and it
Informed me that they had the au-
khority of their client, Sir Michael
Erogoldy. to pay me yearly the sum
pf five hundred pounds.
- Chapter XVII.