The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1910-05-28

lier own power and atnuse herself alp
er a light fashion. surely youths and
heautys privilege:
But. whatever the girls motive, her
conduct in the matter reacted on my
lord. The fellow was in the way
very much so. How could he himself
pay court to her when she frivolousl}.
If only for the moment, preferred this
company:
What made the situation even more
anomalous TO Ronsdnle and the less
patiently to be borne was that Sir
Charles understood and sympathiZed
with his desires and position in the
natter. And why not? Ronsdale's
father and Sir Charles had been old
and close friends There were red
sons that pointed to the match as Il
suitable one. and Sir Charles by his
General manner and attitude had long
shown he would put no obstacle i'll the
ray of the noblcman's suit for the
land of his fair niece. AS for Lady
Erly, Lord Ronsdale knew that he
lad in that practical ana worldly per
ls Oh a stanch ally of his wishes. These
lad not become less ardent since he
lad witnessed the unqualified success
~ the beau ifuI colonial girl in Lon
Ien, noted how men iIlustrious in va
+ ious walks of life. grave diplomats.
lately ambassadors. were ssavayed by
ser light charm and iupulsive frank
less of youth And to have her who
.duid have all London at her feet, in
ssuding his distinguished self. show
redilection, however short lived and
apficieus, for
sconfound the cad. Where did he
I 5lne from? Who are his family-if
has ones''
1 zAS the fl0bfeman aScendcd the steps
: : Ms club he seemed again to be
xhL6king deeply. Within, his preoccu
did not altogether desert him.
5fner, With the big pages Of the
Before aim, he read with scant
s. the doings of the day. From
y sS ssess hes. lallg.ll- the face Of
Eray haired good natured appearing
person. quite different off the bench.
sehanced to look out at him
Eli? That you, Ronsdale:" he said.
reaching for a steaming glass of hot
beverage at his elbow. How is your
friend Sir Charles Wray: had the
pleasure of meeting him the other
morning in the courtroom"
Same as usual. imagine. Judge
I,eeson.''
"And his fair niece, she takes kindly
TO the town and its gayeties:"
"yery kindly" dryly.
"A beautiful girl cur young Austria
lianr' The elder man toy2G with his
glass, stirred the contents and slipped.
by the way, didn't see John Steele
In their box at the opera the other
night?''
''It is possible" shortly.
"Rising man. that" observed the
rther lightly. Com nation OF brains
and force. Did you ever notice his
fist? 1t might belong to q prizefighter,
except that the hands are perfectly
kept You'd know at once he was a
man accustomed to fighting, who
he wanted"
''Think so?" Lord Ronsdale smoked
steadily. You as a magistrate. sup
pose, know all about him?'
"Not much, only that he is an alien"
"An alien?' quickly. "Not a colo
nial?"
mo. He has lived in the colonies
and SO on. But by birth
he's an American
can American, eh? And practicing
at the British barr"
''Not the first case of the kind. Ex-
ceptions have been made before and
aliens Called as we express it.
Steele's hobby of criminology brought
him to London, and his earnestness
and ability in that line procured sfor
him the privilege he sought. AS lSenl-
Der of the incorporated society that
passes upon the qualifications of can
didates it was my pleasure to sit in
judgment on him. We raked him fore
and aft; but, bless you, he stood
sQuarely Oh his feet and refused to be
tripped."
$50 he came to England to pursue
certain line:' said Lord Ronsdale half
to himself
"a man with a partiality for crimi-
nal work would naturally look to the
modern Babylon. Steele apparently
works more to crafty that predilec
ton than for any reward in pounds
and pence. Must have private means;
have known him to spend a deal of |
time and money on cases there couldn't
have been siXpencc in"
How'd he happen to get down in
Tasmania? Odd place for Yankee"
That's Cne Of the questions he
wasn't asked" laughingly. Perhaps {!
what our Tcutonic friends would call !
The wanderlust took him there" Ris- |
ing, MY compliments to Sir Charles
when you see him."
Lord Ronsdale remained long at the
.lub and the card table that night.
Finally Summoning a cab, he got in,