The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-14
'sThe Duke of Oblivion

Iwell," said he.
j Delighted to oblige you. I'm
sure" Brinsmade replied. "Mr.
Cardigan and | will try to aid
Lord Beauchamp, or whomever
you send, to secure desirables."
1--WE had not thought to go so
far away for our new colonists,"
the Duke replied.
| Jamaica is nearer, that is
true" said Brinsmade; 81 had
overlooked it."
mot even to Jamaica, wherever
that may be. We have no maps.
But to return to the matter under
discussion" He paused, and look
ed from one to the other of us.
what do you say, sirs, to your
selves remaining with us - you,
and the young ladies. and your
five sailors?"
| What" laughed Brinsmade-
not grasping at once the Dukes
proposition.
! AS for me, / was not surprised.
| | had guessed from the first up
to what his Royal Highness was
leading. And it depended on how
serious he was, just how fearful
was our position-with Rosalind
and Justine to guard.
Il hope, sirs, that you will take
kindly to the idea" the Duke con-
tinued; that you will be honored
by marrying into the ruling famil-
les upon terms of equality. My
proposition is that you, Mr.. Brins-
made, shall marry the Lady Eliza
beth; Mr.. Cardigan, the Lady
Edith-or vice versa. If you pre-
fer, though | take it, sirs, that |
have noted your preferences cor
rectly; that my son, the Marquis,
shall marry Miss Brinsmade; and
Lord Beauchamp shall marry Mrs.
Leighton, who, believe, is a wild
ow; the sailors to marry among
their class. Are you CONTENT"
Are you serious?" Brinsmade
exclaimed.
II never was more so, assure
you" the Duke answered.
DilnSHldue turned W me WIFI a
puzzled look.
IF you wish for time to con-
slider the proposition, the Duke
went on, I'VE shall be glad to
withdraw and let you hold coun-
Gil with Mrs. Leighton and Miss
Brinsmade. There may be some
question that you will want to talk
over before the ceremonies are
performed. We do not desire to
be unduly precipitate in the mat
ter"
II think" | said quickly, before
Brinsmade could answer ~ saw
from his face what the nature of
his answer would be-''that your
lordship's suggestion is very peril
nent. We should like time to dis
cuss 1t before we make answer;
your proposition is so sudden and
unexpected, and is of such mo-
me1t and honor, it requires very
serious consideration"
l tried to say it with all the
suavity l could command-and |
think l succeeded, even though
the Dukes cold gray eyes were
, fixed on me intently, a smile of
amused assurance on his whisk-
cred lips.
!, Then l suggest" said the Duke
pleasantly, as he arose, that we
rejoin the ladies. You can lay
my proposition before Mrs. Leigh
ton and Miss Brinsmade; we OBJ
, livions Withdrawing until you
have finished"
"The ladies, by all meansn
+, said |, and we walked across
where his Royal Highness, with.
:, out the least hesitancy or delay
i, gathered his family together and
: took them back to the adjacent
canopy. :.
!, what in the world is the mat.
+, ter?" exclaimed Rosalind. Have
/. you had squabble?"
mot yet" said L; "but we are
!, about to have. Tell them, Fred,
l what his Royal Highness honored
us by proposing"
l "You tell them!" he burst out
| III wv Cu6u6Cu W 10
How do you manage to keep so
cool?" he demanded.
I'm not" said |; "but I'm try
ing to appear so.'
What is it, Dick, dear?" asked
Rosalind.
Briefly, it's this" said l.
THE Duke wishes us to become
residents of Oblivion, and to mar.
ry into his family"
Good Heavens!" cried Justine.
"It's absurd" exclaimed Rosa
lind. "Of course, you refused.
The man must be demented."
, Unfortunately he isn't dement,
ed" said land he is very much
in earnest. He has even, like all
royalty, arranged the marriages.
You, Rosalind, are to marry the
: Marquis"
HUM" said Rosalind. "Whom
: did Mrs. Leighton draw. Dick 2"
"Beauchamp," I replied.
ION the whole, l think we were
bit unlucky in the draw" Rosa
lind remarked. "Who are you to
marry, Dick-the Lady Elizabeth
: or the Lady Edith"
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