Evening star., 1914-03-01
BY EARL DERR BIGGERS

him he recalled this happy scene, and emotion well
nigh choked him. However, he managed to tell of
few of the celebrities who to dinner of their bon
mots, their preferences in cuisine He mentioned the
thrilling morning when he nearly drowned in the
brook that skirted the purple meadow; also the
thrilling afternoon when he hid his mothers famous
necklace in the biscuit box the Sideboard and upset
a whole household And he narrated dozen similar
exploits each garnished with small, illuminating details
His audience sat fascinated. All who listened felt
that his words rang true-even Lord farrowby HIM
self sitting far forward his hand gripping the seat nfront
of him until the white of his knuckles showed through
Next the speaker shifted his scene to Eton thrilled
his hearers with the story of his revolt against Oxford
of his flight the States, his wild days in Arizona And
he pulled out of his pocket letter written by the old
Earl of Raybrook himself profanely expostuatng with
him for his Madness and begging that he return to
cend to the eardom when the old man was no more.
The "rea Lord Harrowby" finished reading this
somewhat pathetic appeal with little break in his
voice. and stood looking out at the audience.
"If my brother Allan himself were in the house, he
said "he would have admit that it father speak
ing in that letter"
A Rustic of interest through the auditorium.
The few who had recognized Harrowby turned to
stare at him For moment he sat SILENT his face
a variety of coors in the dim light Then with cry of
rage he leaped to his feet
"You stole that letter, you curl" he cried 3You
a liar, fraud, mpostor!'
The the stage stood shading his eyes with his
hand "Ah Alan he answered here after all?
Is that quite the proper greeting all these years
A roar of sympathetic applause greeted this sally.
There doubt to whose side Trimmers friend,
the public was on. Harrowby stood in his place, his
lips twitching his eyes for blazing and angry.
Dick Minot by this time escorting Miss Mey-
rick up the aisle and they quickly to the cool
street. Harrowby, Paddock, and Spencer Meyrick fol-
lowed Immediately. His Lordship most contrite.
"a thousand pardons, he pleaded. Really, can't
tell you how sorry am, Cynthia. To have made you
conspicuous was | thinking of! But he mad
dened mel"
"Dont worry, Allan" said Miss Meyrick gently. II
like you the better for being maddened'
Old Spencer Meyrick said nothing; but Minot noted
that his face rather red, and his eyes somewhat
dangerous They all walked back to the hotel in silence.
From the hotel lobby, as if by prearrangement Har
rowby followed Miss Meyrick and her father into a
parlor. Minot and Paddock were left alone.
"My word, old top!' said Paddock facetiously. a
rough night for the nobility! That lads story sounded
like little bit of all right to me. Eh-what?"
at did sound convincing returned the troubled
Minot "but then-a servant at Rakedale Hall could
have concocted it..
@Mayhap,' said Paddock However, old Spencer
Meyrick looked to like volcano I'd to get out
from under. Poor old Harrowby! I'm afraid there's
rift within the 1oot-nay, no loot at all.
Jack" said Mnot firmly, "that wedding has got to
take place!'
SWhy-what's it to you?"
at happens to be everything. But keep it under
your hat"
3Great Scott! Does Harrowby owe you money!
II can't explain just at present, Jack"
"Oh very we'll, replied Paddock. "But take it from
me- old man, she's million times too good for him.
"a miion!' laughed AIinot bitterly. @You under
estimate"
Paddock stood staring with wonder at his friend.
"You lisp in riddles my boy he said
@Do II" returned Minot. maybe some day III
make it all clear"
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