Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1910-03-24
CHAPTER IlI.-contInued.

Of1Af En- IlI.-OOntlnucus
"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"
We'll, the fact is-but please never
mention 1.-THE fact is that his grace
owes me four dollars. 1 gave 1t to
him in two bills-I remember the in
cident perfectly-two crisp new bills
I had Just got at the bank His grace
borrowed the money to pay cabman
1t was the very day before he mar
ried my sister"
The reporter stared moment, then
laughed. He abandoned the idea Of
getting material for a sensational ar
a character sketch of the whimsical
young millionaire.
"If you don't mind saying where you
are going, Mr.. Ardmore?"
sd tell you in a minute, only
haven't fully decided yet; but shall
probably take the Sambo 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.
II you'll forget this rot we've been
talking and come up to Ardsley as
soon as | get home, I'll see If l can't
keep you amused for a couple of
weeks. What did you say your name
is? Collins, Frank Collins? | never
forget anything, so don't disappoint
me-
The young man laughed outright.
"I'll remember; l really believe you
mean for me to come"
"Of course l 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 a moment
and then threaded his way among the
tables to Ardmore.
81 heard you were here and thought
I'd look you up. How are you, Ardy?"
Very well, thank you, Mr.. Billings
Have you dined? Sorry; which way
are you heading?'
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 don't understand it, / don't UNI
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"
The secretary, who had no great
opinion of Ardmore's mental capacity,
stared at the young man vacantly
Then it occurred to him that possibly
Ardmore might be of service.
Have you been at Ardsley recent
ly?" he asked.
Left there only few days ago."
"You haven't seen your governor
lately, have your"
my governor" Ardmore stared
blankly. why, Mr.. Billings, don't you
remember that fathers dead?"
II don't mean your father, Ardy,"
replied Billings with the exaggerated
care of one who deals with extreme
stupidity. II mean the governor of
North Carolina-one of the American
states. Ardsley is still in North Caro-
lima, isn't it?'
"Oh, yes; of course. But bless your
soul, don't know the governor. Why
should one?"
II don't know why, Ardy; but peo-
pie sometimes do know governors and
find it useful"
'1m not in politics any more, Mr..
Billings What's this persons manner"
"Dangerfeld. Don't you ever read
the newspapers" demanded the sec
rotary. striving to control his inner
rage.