Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-10-30

am not n beggar utterly. ! own n
ranch in Montana that actually pays
and thousand acres of the best wheat
land in Nebraska. At the Bronx Loan
and Trust company in 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
were asked to state my occupation. |
should have to say that I 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. flatter myself that | am pretty
good at il" aud John Armtage smiled
and took a 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 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 50 easy to turn aside n 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
mitagc was volunteering gratuitous in
formation and assuming an interest in
his affairs by the Claibornes that was
wholly unjuStified, there was also the
other side of the matter: that his ex-
plantations proceeded from motives of
delicacy that were praiseworthy. Dick
was puzzled and piqued besides to find
that his resources as a big protecting
brother were 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. II
have been SO long in America that
feel as much at home there as any
where-but | am neither English nor
American by birth. am. on the other
hand
He hesitated for the barest second.
and Claiborne was sensible of an in
classification of interest. Now at last
there was to be revelation that
amounted to something.
"On the other hand" Armitage re-
peated, Il was born at Fontainebleau,
where my parents lived for only a few
months. but do not consider that that
fact makes me Frenchman My
mother is dead My father died-very
recently | have been in America
enough to know that q foreigner is
often under suspicion-particula If
he have title. My distinction is that
am a foreigner without onev' John
Armitage laughed.
ut Is. indeed, a real merit" declared
Dick, who felt something was expect
ed Of him. In spite of himself he
found much to like in John Armitage.
He particularly despised sham and pre-
tense. and he had been won by the evil
dent sincerity Of Armitage's wish to
ppear well In his eyes.
And now" said Armitage, 81 assure
you that I am not in the habit of talk
Ing so much about myself-and if you
will overlook this offense l promise not
to bore you again"
81 have been interested" remarked
Dick. And" he added. Il 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 it was with curious
mixture of liking and mystlication
that Claiborne reviewed their talk.
The next day brought heavy wealth.
er, and only hardened seagoers were
abroad. Armitage, breakfasting late,
was not satisfied that he had acted
wisely In speaking to Captain Clai-
borne; but he had, at 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 coNTINUEp.l