The Washington times., 1906-06-24

oslty, and the executor of nv
grandfather's estate. was hard to
bear
But there was something not
wholly honest in my mirth, for my
conduct during the three preceding
years had been reprehensible.
had used my grandfather shabbny.
My parents died when was a child.
and he had cared for me as far back
as my memory ran. He had suffered
me to spend without restraint the
fortune left by my father; he had
expected much Of me. and I had
grievously disappointed him. It
was his hope that I should devote
myself 10 architecture. a prOfes-
sion for which he had the greatest
admiration. whereas had insisted
on engineering.
I am not writing an apology for
my life, and I shall not attempt to
extenuate my conduct In going
abroad at the end Of my course at
Tech and, when I made Laurance
Donovan's acquaintance. IN setting
of with him on a career of ad-
venture. I do not regret. though
possibly il would be more TO my
credit if I did, the months spent
Ieisurely following the Danube east
OF the. Iron Gate-Laurance Dono-
van always with me, while we III ged
the villagers and inn loafers TO all
manner of sedition, acqutting our
selves so well that, when we came
out into the Black Sea for further
pleasure, Russia did US the honor
10 keep a spy at our heels. I should
ike, for my own satisfaction, sJ
least, TO set down an account OF
certain affairs IN which we were
concerned at Belgrade, but without
Larry's consent am not at liberty
TO do so. Nor shall take time here
TO describe our travels IN Africa,
though cur study Of the Atlas
mountain dwarfs won US honorable
mention by the, British Ethnologi-
cal Society.
These were my yesterdaySj but
today sat IN Arthur PtokeF1nR's
Office IN the towering Alexis build
ing, conscious Of the mufded roar
Of Broadway, discussing the terms
of my Grandfather GlenArm's VIII
with q man whom I disliked a
heartily ss Il l. safe fo< one man
TO disIike another. Ptcksr3ng had
asked me question. and was sud
denly aware that his eyes ws=e FIX
ed upon me and thstshs awaited my
answer.
What do I think e4 NJ I re-
peated- IT don't hoWthas IL makes
any difference what think. but I'll
tell you, If you want to know, that
I call It infamous. outrageous. that
a man should leave ridiculous viii
of that sort behind him All the old
money-bags who pile up fortunes
magnify the Importance OF their
money. They imagine that every
kindness, every ordinary courtesy
shown them, IS merely a bid for a
slice Of the cake. I'm disappointed
IN my grandfather he was splen-
did old man, though God knows he
had his queer ways. III bet n thou
sand dollars, 4 I have so much
money in the world. that this
scheme is yours. Pickering. and not
his. 1t smacks of your ancient vim
dictiveDess, and John Marshall
Glenarm had none OF that In his
blood. That stipulation about my
residence out there is fantastic.
don't have to be a lawyer to know
that. and no doubt I could break
the will; I've a good notion to try
it, anyhow"
ITO be sure. You can tie up ths
estate for half dozen years If you
like " he replied coollv. He did not
look upon me as likely TO become a
formidable litigant. Ny staying
qualities had been proved weak long
ago. as Pickering knew well
enough.
NO doubt you would like that,
I answered. But I'm not going -
give you the pleasure. 1 abide by
the terms of the viii. Ny grand
father was a fine old gentleman. ]
shan't drag his name through the