The Irish standard., 1910-02-19

Caribbean" by Domingeuz Pascual
"a beautifully bound copy of the orig.
inal Madrid edition.
With this volume under his arm
Ardmore returned to the hotel where
he was lodged and completed his ar.
rangements for leaving. 1t should be
known that Mr.. Thomas Ardmore
was person of democratic tastes and
habits. In his New York house were
two servants whose sole business II
was to keep himself and his wardrobe
presentable; yet he preferred to travel
unattended.
When he had finished packing his
trunk he went down to the dinner he
had ordered to be in readiness at a
certain hour, at certain table, care.
fully chosen beforehand: for Ardmore
was very exacting in such matters
and had an eye to the comforts OF
life, as he understood them.
AS he crossed the hotel lobby on his
way to the restaurant he was accosted
by a reporter for the Atlanta Palla.
dunn, who began to question him
touching various Ardmores who were
Just then filling rather more than
their usual amount of space In the
newspapers. Ardmore's family, with
the single exception Of his sister
Mrs. Atchison, bored him immensely
His two brothers and another sister,
the ducness Of Ballywinkle, kept the
family name in display type a great
deal Of the time, and their perform
ances had practically driven Thomas
Ardmore from New York. The re-
porter was a well-mannered youth
agingly. He was rather curious to
see what new incident in the family
history was to be the subject of in
QUESTION, and the reporter Immediate
ly set his mind at rest
Pardon me, Mr.. Ardmore. but is It
true that your sister, the duchess Of
Ballywinkle, has separated from the
duke?"
Ardmore hesitated and turned his
head cautiously.
"You understand, of course, that
this discussion is painful to me, ex-
tremely painful. And yet, so much has
been published about My sisters do
nestle affairs"
Exactly, Mr.. Ardmore What we
want is to print your side of the
story"
well, the fact Ys-but please never
mention 1.-THE fact is that his grace
owes me four dollars. gave it to
him in two bills-1 remember the in
cident perfectly-two crisp new bills
had just got at the bank. His grace
borrowed the money to pay cabman
it was the very day before he mar
ried my sister,"
The reporter stared moment, then
laughed. He abandoned the idea Of
getting material for sensational ar
ticle and scented the possibilities of
a character sketch Of the whimsical
young millionaire
IF you don't mind saying where you
are going, Mr.. Ardmore?"
I'D tell you in a minute, only l
haven't fully decided yet; but l shall
probably take the Sambor Flyer at
9:13. If you don't make me lose it,"
Ardmore looked the reporter over
carefully as they shook hands. He
was an attractive young fellow, alert
and good humored, and Ardmore liked
him, as, in his shy way, he really liked
almost every one who seemed to be
a human being
I'LL tell you what I'll do with you.
If you'll forget this rot we've been
talking and come up to Ardsley as
soon as get home, I'll see II can't
keep you amused for a couple of
weeks. What did you say your name
is? Collins, Frank Collins? I never
forget anything, so don't disappoint
me-"
The young man laughed outright.
I'll remember; really believe you
mean for me to come"
"Of course I do. It's all settled;
make 1t next week. Good.by!"
Ardmore ate his dinner oblivious OF
the fact that people at the neighbor-
ing table turned to look at him. He
finally waved away his plate and
called for coffee, and at that moment
a middle-aged man appeared at the
door, scanned the room for moment
and then threaded his way among the
tables to Ardmore.
II heard you were here and thought
I'd look you up. How are you, Ardy?"
Every we'll. thank you, Mr.. Billings
Have you dined?' Sorry; which way
are you heading?" 49,
The newcomer had the bearing of
a gentleman used to consideration
He was, indeed, the secretary of the
Bronx Loan and Trust Company
whose business was chiefly the admin.
istration of the Ardmore estate, and
Ardmore knew him very we'll.
I'm looking for man. and I'm not
good at the business. I've lost him
and I don't understand 1t, don't un.
derstand it" and the secretary seemed
to be half-musing to himself as he SAT
down and rested his arms on the
table.
"You might give me the Job. I'm
following slight clew myself Just at
present"
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