Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-12-26
"He's in a Bit of a Aoie," I continued.

"He's in a bit of hole" continued.
''Tne towpsreople won't support him.
wish you woSld drive over one afternoon
and look in for half an hour. Everybody
would think ii good enough to go. too. il
you led the way"
Whats the name of the man." he
asked.
..It's Jimmy Merton. not a bad old
sort in his way"
Jimmy Merrion. he said sharply and
with a sudden interest. II know him.
He was at Oxford with me. Ran
through his money and went 10 the bad.
The man was rather a bounder. But
there are many worse"
The following day after luncheon the
old harouet suggested we should drive
into Norford and see the exhibition.
acquiesced readily. as | knew what 1t
would mean to Jimmy. Besides. was
anxious to see Maidie again. | believe
Sir Andrews visit had the desired effect
and turned the tide in Jimmy's favor. for
he told me nfterward that he got out of
it with a profit. Bnt more important
things followed that visit.
When the cigars and whisky were 60
ing after dinner that night, to my sur
prise. Sir Andrew returned to the sub
jeet mice girl that" he said laconically.
"who?" | INQUIRED.
"Jimmy Merrion's dauchter. You're
Bit sm.iten. are you not?' he said. giving
me a shrewd look.
We'll" | said evasively. 81 don't know
about being smitten. She is very beauti-
full. and she seems to have sweet dis
position"
"You mean TO say she's the best girl
T.. 70 n,11 f1.nt
you are head over heels in love with her,
but don't like to own up" said the old
man dryly.
| wondered for moment IL he were
Joking. but curiously enough he was
quite in earnest The old cynic was al
mos, as much struck by her beauty and
manners ms was myself.
"Would you like her to have part in
the new plav?' he asked.
Eyes. / should" answered promptly,
vance; We shall never get a better
man."
Sir Andrew agreed and then added
carccssly. Il can't understand n man
like Merrion having such a daughter"
''She is not his own daughter" | said.
"Ah, ! Guessed as much he said.
helping himself 10 some soda. What
was the name of her mother?"
ada Sinclair" answered. II believe
she was fairly kel known in her day"
II remember her name" be said. and
noticed that as he held his tumbler to the
siphon his hand WAS shaking.
Then the conversation drifted to gener-
al subjects. | remember in particular
that in discussing old English comedy he
mentioned that as young man he
financed revival OF THE Good Natured
Man" at the Queens and that 1t had
very satisfactory little run aud then went
on tour But Sir Andrew was quite nm
like himself that evening. for as we were
saying good night be suddenly returned
to the subject Of the Merrions.
''Now look here. Beresford." he said,
fixing his keen eyes on mine-and his
face was curiously gray and steru-'you
are young man. and | am an old one
My life lies behind me. and it's mostly
bundle of regrets. You have n future. |
want to ask you a straight question.
Suppose this Merton girl comes on tour
with us and yon continue TO like her,
what is the game going to be-"
~ should marry her." I said sharply.
lie looked at me for moment in ST.
lence. with a queer. hard smile wrinkling
his old face. Are you quite certain OF
that?" he said
absolutely certain" replied.
although she has neither position nor
money!"
Although she has neither position nor
money" | said warmly. for | rather re-
sented this questioning. / thought he
was going to make some further remark,
but all he said was:
WELL good night"
Six months later. on the morning that
Maidie and | were married. firm of
solicitors forwarded to us a bankers
draft for a large amount as a wedding
present. The note which accompanied
it merely said that they acted under the
instructions of client who had been a
friend of Miss Ada Sinclair and wished
us we'll, had my suspicious and show
ed ii to Sir Andrew. He appeared to be
surprised but only said. with shrug OF
his shoulders. Its good thing for some
of us that there are plenty Of fools in
the world"
A short time ago came across an old
programme of the Queens theater, dated
30 years ago. 1t announced a revival of
The Good Natured Man." and Miss
Ada Sinclair was included in the cast.
remembered that Sir Andrew had told
me that he was the manager. but. Gu
riously enough, the name Of Stillingfieet
did not appear on the programme. 1t
simply said. Sole lessee and manager.
Mr. Douglas - Modern Society