The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-14
BY JOHN REED SCOTT
Copyright, 1910. by
John Reed Scott

Continued from our last issue. }
The Duke and the Duchess
awaited us at the head OF the
stairs. He was CARRIED as on yes
terday; the Duchess, also, was
dressed in white. Her gown, out
of Difference to her age, / suppose,
was a trifle longer than the young
ladies'.
She was in the early forties; not
particularly handsome, but with a
yiyacious manner, a most gracious
smile, and, | imagined, with plen-
ty of dignity in reserve. She was
sister of Beauchamp and the
Dukes second wife. | learned Ia
ter.
my son, the Marquis, will join
us in moment" the Duke SAID,
addressing himself particularly to
Rosalind. You will pardon him,
Miss Brinsmade; he was delayed
by some matters of imperative
business here he Is now," as
slender youth-with thin, acetic
face. heavy brows, small eyes, and
large, full mouth-appeared
from behind a curtain that did for
door. Coming forward, he
bowed to us collectively - and
eyed Rosalind only.
| did not like. him!
The dinner was served in the
open-under straw canopy-on
the west side of the pyramid. 1t
was strictly en- famile. with but
two courses-the dinner course
and the dessert.
The Marquis, whose name was
George, devoted himself most as
siduously to Rosalind. So assid-
uously, indeed, as to be Obtrusive.
And she. with the natural perver-
| sity of the sex, encouraged him
with a sly glance at me.
From time to time, the Dukes
eyes rested on them approvingly,
| thought; and that also did not
| like-though why, | did not know.
When the cloth was removed,
the ladies withdrew to a neigh
boring canopy; and we men had
our wine, after the fashion of the
late eighteenth century, which
still governed the Duke and his
| people-being the fashion of the
first Dukes time.
What is the present popula-
ton of the island?" | heard Brins-
made ask.
Something under two thous-
and" the Duke replied.
Its not over-crowded.'
"No-the normal casualties OF
the climate have kept down the
numbers. There is plenty of room
in Oblivion"
what is your system of gov
ernment-your land tenures and
your pursuits?" l asked.
"The government Is an autoc'
racy," said he; title to the entire
island Is vested In me. The people
have long leases, which are paid
for in produce Of the soil or hand
We have no money; yet every
thing is based on money value;
pounds, shillings, and so on. II
requires very little for us to live
here; no one has to work unduly;
there is no poverty, because
drones are not tolerated, and pan
les cannot occur. Our wants are
few, because they are limited t.
what the island can supply. Alto
gether, sirs, we Of Oblivion lead {
remarkably happy life"
"It seems to me-" said Brins
made, that this should be called
the Isle of Bliss rather than thu
island of Oblivion"
"Oblivion, sometimes, is bliss,
the Duke answered. "Leastwise, |
is to us who know nothing else.
He took a drink of chica, ant
slowly replaced his glass. II hav,
a proposition to make to you, Mr.
Brinsmade and Mr.. Cardigan,
said he. ut may appear at frs
somewhat startling, perhaps l
will not instantly appeal to you
nor to the ladies; nevertheless,
shall ask you to consider it,"
He paused and smiled. | liket
neither his words nor his smile
and l swung my chair around to
ward Rosalind and waited.