Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-07-21

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eyes, most of the time asleep When
he is here he is bored to death. When
l told him that two American girls
wished to see his castle he proposed
to show you about himself. just to
have something to do. told him IL
was my job and lie shouldn't take ii
! away from me-"
There was more wonder in the faces
of the young women, and the last
words decided them that they must
offer tip
1.-THE castle is dilapidated old
place" continued the guide. mot
worth prescribing. l think the duke
would like to sell it to some of your
American millionaires."
How could he bear to part with
that which has descended to him
through centuries?"
HE likes London pretty well. With
the money he could get for this rattle
trap place he could enjoy himself very
well in London"
How much would he take for it?"
"Oh. matter of 100000"
please tell him that I'll give him
that for it."
1t was now Mr.. Comyns' turn to
look surprised. He made no reply at
first. then said:
From whom shall tell him the
offer comes:" &
Miss Van Tromp took out a card.
wrote her London address on it and
handed it to Mr.. Comyns. They had
by this time gone the rounds and were
at the postern. And now the terrible
question Of the tip came up. Miss
Van Tromp decided that she would
give one so large that even should their
guide be a gentleman he might not
feel insuHed. She put five sovereigns
into his hand. He took them unwill-
ingly and thrust them into his pocket.
Two days later an invitation came
from the dowager Duchess of Hal
lowen to Miss Van Tromp and Miss
Sherman to dine with her at her Lon
don residence. The invitation closed
with these words. You can then talk
over the sale of Halloween castle with
my son. the duke"
Miss Van Tromp. whose income for
one year was more than the price she
had offered for the property, was not
at all frightened. At first she thought
she would adhere to her resolution not
to mingle with the English nobility
and decline the invitation. but Miss |
Sherman persuaded her to accept
They were to sail for America the next |
week. and Miss Van Tromp was not
averse to dining with a duchess so
long as it could be done without the
presentation at court.
On the evening appointed they drove
to the dukes home. They were re-
ceived by the dowager duchess. a
pleasant old lady. and after a time
who should enter the room but Mr..
Comyns in evening dress. He advanc-
ID. smiling. to welcome the guests.
my son." said the duchess.
"A younger son" asked Miss Van
rromp.
mo: I'm Ralph Comyns and Duke of
said the gentleman. "As
old you. I'm a bored man when at
Halloween. and 1 passed a delightful
Iour in showing you my pile. But |
hall not hold you to the offer. and
ere,' taking FIVE sovereigns from his
est pocket. sis the fee you gave me.
really don't think / should have ac-
epted it."
There was twinkle in his eye as he
poke.
II am ready TO give you a check for
be castle" said Miss Van Tromp. a s
rife rufied at having been deceived.
That's just like you Americans" re- n
lied the duke, smiling. "There's moth e
lg so old. so new. so valuable or so
'Orthless but that you are ready to
w it,"
Il might hold you by law to the bar
ain. ! can prove by my cousin. Miss
herman. who was present. that you
fered the property for a specified
I'm and ! accepted the offer"
4 should rather be bound by it than
. 10 law with such a charming oppO- L
ent." replied the duke calamity. C.
There was nothing more said about "
le sale. and after Miss Van Tromp
Id recovered from her chagrin at hav-
g tipped duke the dinner proved a
Fry enjoyable one. Miss Van Tromp
Id her cousin did not sail on the
Gamer on which they had engaged
usage. Indeed. they remained in
ondon for some time. Miss Van
romp fell into the same matrimonial
nditions as most American heiresses 81
'road. She married the Duke Of Hal