Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-07-22

m WIZ MAOllN 81
rious and com
laoa Ca. n'ans om0 PEELED respect
1~ ''i'N'N9e Claiburne nod
ded and threw away his cigar that he
might give his whole attention TO what |
Armitage might have TO say.
"A man does not like to have his sis
ter forming the acquaintance of per-
sons who are not properly vouched for
Except for Singleton You know moth
ing of me, and Singleton knows very
little Of me indeed"
Claiborne nodded. He felt the color
creeping into his cheeks consciously as
Armitage touched upon this matter.
II speak to you rs do because it is
your right to know who and what /
am, for am not on the King Edward
by accident, but by intention, and am
going to Washington because your sis
ter lives there"
Claiborne smiled in spite of himself.
But, my dear sir, this is most eX-
traordinary! l don't know that care
to hear any more. By listening l
seem to be encouraging you to follow
us. It's altogether too unusual. It's
almost preposterous."
And Dick Claiborne frowned severe
~, but Armitage still met his eyes
gravely.
Its only decent for a man to give
his references when it's natural for
them to be required. 1 was educated
at Trinity college, Toronto. spent
year at the Harvard law school. And
am not IL bcggar utterly. own
ranch in Montana that actually pays
and Il thousand acres of the best wheat
land in Nebraska. At the Bronx Loan
and Trust company III New York
have securities to considerable
amount am perfectly willing that
any one who is at all interested should
inquire of the trust company officers
as to my standing with them. If l
We're asked to state my occupation, /
should have to say that am cattle
herder-what you call cowboy. /
can make my living in the practice of
the business almost anywhere from
New Mexico north to the Canadian
line. l tlatter myself that am pretty
good at it," and John -Armitage smiled
and took Il cigarette from box on the
table and lighted it.
Dick Claiborne was greatly interested
in what Armitage had said, and he
struggled between an inclination to en-
courage further confidence and a feel
ing that he should, for Shirley's sake,
make it clear to this young stranger
that 1t was of no consequence to any
member of the Claiborne family who
he was or what might be the extent of
his lands or the unimpeachable char
acter Of his investments. But it was
not SO easy to turn aside fellow who
was SO big of frame and apparently so
sane and so steady Of purpose as this
Armitage. And there was, too, the
further consideration that while Ar
mitage was volunteering gratuitous in
formation and assuming an interest in
his affairs by the Claibornes that was
wholly unjustiiied, there was also the
other side of the matter: that his ex-
plantations proceeded from motives OF
delicacy that We're praiseworthy. Dick
was puzzled and piqucd besides to find
that his resources as Il big protecting
brother We're SO soon exhausted. What
Armitage Was asking was the right
to seek his sister Shirley's hand in
marriage, and the thing was absurd.
Moreover, who was John Armitage?
The question startled Claiborne into
realization of the fact that Armitage
had volunteered considerable informa-
ton without at all answering this ques-
ton. Dick Claiborne was human
being and curious
Pardon me-" he asked, "but are you
an EnGlishman?"
Il am not" answered Armitage 81
have been SO long in America that
feel as much at home there as any
where-but am neither English nor
American by birth. l am, on the other
hand
He hesitated for the barest second.
and Claiborne was sensible OF an in
tcnsification of interest. Now at last
there was to be Il revelation that
amounted to something.
"On the other hand" Arrnitage re-
pe;lted, 81 was born ut Fontainebleau.
where my parents lived for only few
months. but do not consider that that
fact makes me Frenchman. My
mother is dead My father died-vcry
recently / have been in America
enough to know that foreigner is
often under suspicion-pa particularly if
he have a title. My distinction is that
l am a foreigner without one.' John
Armitage laughed.
ut is, indeed, real merit" declared
Dick, who felt something was expect
ed of him. In spite of himself he
found much to like ~ John Armitage.
lie particularly despised sham and pre-
tense, and he had been won by the evil
dent sincerity of Armitage's wish to
appear well i'll his eyes.
".And now" said Armitage. II assure
,!ou that l am not in the habit Of talk
Ing so much about myself-and If you
will overlook this offensc promise not
to bore you again.
Il have been Interested" remarked
Dick. And he added, ~ cannot do
less than thank YOU. Mr.. Armitage."
Armitage began talking of the Amer
lean army its strength and weak
nesses with an Intimate knowledge
that greatly surprised and interested
the young officer, and when they sep
arated presently ii WAS with curious
mixture of liking and mystification
| that Claiborne reviewed their talk.
The next day brought heavy wealth
| er. and only hardened scagocrs We're
abroad. Armitage, brcakfasting late,
was not satisfied that he had acted
wisely IN speaking 10 Captain Clai-
| borne: but he had, Mt any rate. eased
In some degree his own conscience,
and he had every intention of seeing
all that he could of Shirley Claiborne
during these days of their fellow voy-
aging
fro BE Continued
If all men were as industrious as
some luen are curious. what Il busy
\ nj. I,