Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-07

schemes to rehabilitate an impoverish- ed estate and in all his undertakings meeting with indifferent success. He had become the sole owner of a 'salt- ed" mine in Colorado; he had recouped in Birmingham real estate, only to "drop his pile" again in Texas cattle. At present his bow was strung with two widely differing cords-one a se- cret mission, with lucrative promise, for an oriental government regarding the surreptitious purchase of subma- rines and other war material in viola ton of the neutrality laws; the other somewhat hackneyed scheme of ex- changing an earl's coronet for seven figured bank account the figure of the necessarily accompanying lady being matter of little moment.
 The meeting between the two was cordial, not to say affectionate. A friendly face in New York to Richard was like a water hole in the desert To the earl he was as welcome as a if pun note when I'm strapped, by gad!' Lord Croyland suggested spin in his motor, and Richard, who had nothing .. -t leisure on his hands and was glad of any break in the dull mo- notony, accepted with alacrity. The motor was a four cylinder Layton, with a vicious back fire and a hoarse, wet cough, which would have warned an expert to look after his igniter and relieve the oil vent. The auto car was rented, and, besides, machinery was a detail to be looked after in the garage; therefore the driver hiccoughed up Riv- erside drive with charming disregard for signs and omens.
 The Englishman talked, and the Tex an listened, though he adroitly kept the conversation In a social vein on the chance of finding some opening for an attack on, Irvington. In this he was not disappointed. The earl had se- cured letters of introduction to Jacob Renwyck, but on calling at the Broad street offices had found the gentleman absent. He left his letters. together with a note of regret, and had prompt ly received a cordial invitation to join a small house party in the home of the Renwycks on the Hudson. He had accepted and intended to go there on the following day, where his valet would join him, bringing his luggage from Washington.
 Richards heart rose and rejoiced. Here was a possible chance to meet Miss Renwyck, yet he must proceed with caution.
 "Renwyck," he said thoughtfully. Seems to me I've heard that name. We'll off"
 The earl became so eloquent on that subject that his companions suspicious were at once aroused, and more so as the Englishman's attention was riv- eted upon an income rather than his steering gear.
 Any daughters in the family?" ask ed the Texan carelessly.
 "One. Aw-quite passable, under stand"
 Richard agreed with him, but did not think it necessary to mention the fact.
 "Did you ever meet the lady"
 "No, old chap"
 "Nor any of the familyT "Never. am-ah-not so keen, how ever, on Miss Renwyck's-er-relatives, | don't you know" drawled his lordship | in his most blase and superior manner. The Texans white teeth closed with an angry snap. He could not bear his friend in that pose, but he put a curb on his tongue.
 Look here, Croyland," he asked as indifferently as he could, do you mean to tell me that you are going to IT, yington tomorrow with the avowed in tention of making love to a lady you have never seen?
 Gall it prospecting" laughed the Englishman. Its fair game, isn't 1t"
 "No, it isn't" snapped the Texan, falling into the vernacular of the plains. Its a dingy deal with a cold deck. Where does the girl come in?"
 "Coronet," drawled the noble earl "and not such a bad sort under it. If she is satisfied. am, I'm sure"
 "Birthright, mess of pottage and a pig in a poke,s suggested Richard rather warmly. But what of you Why, great Scott, man. you've never seen her. She may be humpbacked- hideous.'
 My dear old chap" said the earl with dry, indulgent smile, you will learn some day that a Bradstreet re port covers a multitude of freckles By love, I've even known it to con done hump!'
 Here the conversation stopped sud denly. The machine had done the same They were far out on the Westchestel road in the vicinity of New Rochelle with nothing in sight but a farmer'i truck wagon approaching from an op posite direction, with big yellow doi trottIng beside the wheel.
 The earl drawled something about i being most e1trawd'n'ry" and begal to manipulate the various levers. bu without results. Clearly he was un familiar with the vsgaries of this par ticular brand of motor. He descende' from the car and turned his engini over. being rewarded by a clatterinl roar which caused him to leap bacl into his seat again. He released hi brake and inadvertently threw hi weight upon the speed controller. Tn machine arose and rejoiced as a stron man going to battle.
 As Mfr. Richard Williams afterwar, described it, the thing first bucke