Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-12-06
CHAPTER III.
In Touch With the Thirteen.

CHATTER III.
In Touch With the Thirteen.
I found life at Oxford very pleasant,
although at first it was passing strange
to me to mix with so many men of my
own age, and I was at a considerable
disadvantage, for my ways were not as
their ways. and while I might have
held my own when the foils or gloves
were to the fore, was, so to speak, en-
tirely at sea on the river, and all
abroad on the football or cricket field.
Thanks to Mr.. Travers' able teach
ing, found my work easy enough; but
as had no ambition to excel in the
schools, and, indeed, no great ability to
do so had I wished, I contented myself
with just sufficient reading to pass my
exams. I made very few friends, but
among them was a young Irishman OF
strikingly brilliant parts, a scholar of
the college to which I was attached,
and one Who was looked upon as likely
to distinguish himself in the final
schools. He worked very hard, but
such leisure hours as he INDUCED in
were spent, for the most part, in my
company, and so intimate did we be-
come that went with him to his home
in the Midlands during part of my long
vacation.
Not wishing to cumber the narrative
with descriptions of persons who play
but minor parts, shall not further de-
scribe my friend, young O'Brien, and
!he would not have been mentioned at
all but that it was owing to my visit to
his people that I heard something Of
my fathers college life, and the man
ner in which it ended, and, what was
still more remarkable, his uncle was
the first person from whom heard my
surname. I had been in the house but
Two or three days when I became con-
scious that this uncle was watching
me very closely. In the midst of a
meal, If 1 turned to him unexpectedly,
would find him regarding me intent
ly, and at last, one evening in the
smoking-room, perhaps because I
showed that his scrutiny was apparent
to me, he told me the reason.
do you know, Tremayne, you re-
mind me very much of man 1 knew
at Cambridge a good many years ago.
Strange to say, you have some of his
little mannerisms, and, as I remember
him, you are strikingly like him. His
name was Robert Tremayne Morton.
It is possible that he could have been
a relative of yours?"
He may have BEEN" said; "but l
have been abroad so much that could
scarcely tell you, off hand who my
relatives are. How long ago is it?',
"Oh, let Inc see. 1t would be about
twelve years ago. Morton was a fine
fellow, and everyone expected him to
do well; but he vanished at the end
of the summer term, and the curious
thing about it was that four or five
men went with him. We never heard
what became of them, but some time
afterwards particulars came to hand
of the deaths of two of the men who
left at the same time as he did. One
of them was found at the foot of a
cliff in South Africa, and the other
died at some town in Spain in rather
mysterious manner. He was stabbed
in the streets, I fancy, though it is so
long ago that 1 almost forget the facts
and-ah, yes, 1 recollect-they found
some cards, or dice, or something con-
nected with gaming upon him. Dear
me, now, what a memory have!"
YoL may be sure that I was deeply
interested in his "reminiscences, for, in
all probability, the Robert Tremayne
Morton, Of whom he spoke, was my
father. 1t was only natural that
should resemble him in build and fea-
lures, and it was very likely that I
had acquired such peculiarities of
manner as were noticeable in him when
he was my age, and that they should
be accentuated in my case by reason
of my long and close companionship
with him.
did you ever hear asked, in as
steady a voice as I could command,
why these men left college in such a
strange way? Were they rusticated,
or had they given the authorities Of
fense in any way?''
.'Well, could never get at the truth
of the matter; but believe there was
some row or Other in one of the mems
rooms; but whose rooms they were or
what 1t was all about could never
discover There was one man among
them who, apart from what he might
have done at college, was intended for
a diplomatic career. He was of very
good family, and his name was--was-
wait moment-ah, yes! His name
was Rupert Starlight. He was sup
& posed to be the best man Of his year.
7 and Royce. his tutor, made certain that
he would be Senior Wrangler."
What sort OF q man was he?" I
asked.
Rather dark, medium height. with
! prominent features--but. there. can't
perttculattse. it's 20 long ago. and !