The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-03-19

may tell me anything you like with
out fear of being misunderstood; but
tell me nothing that you prefer to
keep to yourself" &C.,
"lf you were not Mr.. Ardmore's
sister should not tell you this; and I
shall never tell another soul. was
coming home from visit in Balti-
more and the train stopped some
where to let another train pass. The
two trains stood side by side for a
little while and in the window of the
sleeper opposite me l saw a young
man who seemed very sad. So, just
as my train started, at the very last
moment that we looked at each other,
winked at that gentleman with,
think, my right eye"
Miss Geraldine Dangerfield touched
the offending member delicately with
her handkerchief.
Mrs. Atchison bent forward and
took both the girls hands.
"And that was Tommy-my brother
Tommy"
"That gentleman has proved to be
Mr.. Thomas Ardmore. 1 had not the
slightest idea that should ever in
the world see him again. My only
hope was that he would go on his way
cheered and refreshed by my sign of
goodwill, though he was either so de-
pressed or SO surprised that he made
no response. I never expected to see
him again in this world; and when had
almost forgotten all about him he
coolly sent in his card to me at the
executive mansion in Raleigh. And
was very harsh with him when I
learned who he was; for you know
the Ardmore estate owns a lot Of
North Carolina bonds that are due on
the first of June, and Mr.. Billings had
been chasing papa all over the coun-
try to know whether they will be
paid; and I supposed of course your
brother was looking for papa, too, to
| annoy him about some mere detail of
that bond business, for the state treas
urer, who does not love papa, has
gone away fishing and Mr.. Billings is
perfectly wild"
"Delicious!" exclaimed Mrs. Atchison.
Perfectly delicious! May l call you
Jerry? Thank you, dear. Let me tell
you that 1 am 80 and you are-?"
Seventeen" supplied Jerry.
"And this is the most amusing, in
teresting and exciting thing have
heard in all my life 1t might be diff
ffcult ordinarily for me to forgive the
wink, but your explanation lifts it out
Of the realm of social Improperly
into the sphere of generous benevo-
lence"
"Your brother does not seem par
ticularly proud of his family connec-
tion," said Jerry. "He spoke of you
in the most beautiful way, but he
seems distressed by the actions of
some Of the others"
Mrs. Atchison sighed.
Tommy is right about US. We are
a sad lot"
But he is very hard on the duke
Since I came to Ardsley his grace has
treated me with the greatest courtesy,
and he has spoken to me in the most
complimentary terms. He is beyond
question man of kind heart, for he
has promised me his mothers pearl
necklace, which had been in her fam
lily for 400 years."
II should not hesitate to take tho
necklace, Jerry, If he really produces
it, for my sister, his wife, has never
had the slightest glimpse of it, and it
is, I believe, in the hands of certain
English trustees for the benefit of the
dukes creditors. dislike to spoil
one of his grace's pretty illusions, but
unless Mr.. Billings softens his heart
great deal toward the duke fear
that you will not get the pearls this
summer"
Il must tell you as my chaperon,
Mrs. Atchison, that the duke has al
ready offered to elope with me. He
told me last night as we were having
our coffee on the terrace, that he
would gladly give up his wife, mean
ing, I suppose, your sister, and the
Ardmore millions for me; but while
think him fascinating want you to
feel quite safe, for promise you I
shall elope with no one while am
your guest"
Mrs. Atchison's face had grown q
little white and she compressed her
lips in lines that were the least bit
grim.
"The scoundrel!" she exclaimed
half under her breath. ITO think that
he would insult child like you! He
fs hanging about us here in the hope
of getting more money, while my poor
sister, his wife, is in an English gan
atorium half crazed by his brutality.
If Tommy knew this he would I'M
doubtedly kill him."
"That would be very unnecessary.
A duke, after all, is something, and I
should hate to have the poor man kill
ed on my account. And besides, Mrs.
Atchison, I am perfectly able to take
care of myself"
II believe you are, Jerry. But It's
terrible thing to have that beast
about, and I shall tell him tonight
that he must leave this place and the
country"