University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-07-06

to EtOn, thrilled his hearers with the
story of his revolt against Oxford, OF
his flight to the States, his wild days
in Arizona And he pulled out of his
pOcke. letter written by the Old
Earl of RaybroOk himself. profanely
expostulating with him for his mad
ness. and begging that he return to
ascend to the earldom when the old
man was no more.
The real Lord HarrOwby" finished
reading this somewhat pathetic ap-
peal with a little break in his voice,
and stood looking out at the audi
ence
''If my brother Allan himself were
in the house." he said, "he would have
to admit that it is our father speak
ing in that letter"
A rustic of interest ran through the
auditorium. The few who had recog-
nized Harrowby turned to stare a.
him now. For a moment he sat 81
lent, his face variety of colors in the
dim light. Then with a cry of rage he
leaped to his feet.
"You stole that letter. you cur" he
cried "You are a liar. a fraud, an
/ impostor"
The man on the stage stood shading
his eyes with his hand.
"Ah, Allan" he answered, 80 you
are here, after all? Is that quite the
proper greeting-afte all these
years?"
A roar of sympathetic applause
greeted this sally. There was no
doubt as to whose side Mr.. Trimmer's
friend, the public. was on. Harrow
by stood in his place, his lips twitch-
ing, his eyes for once blazing and
angry.
Dick Minot was by this time escort
ing Miss Meyrick up the aisle, and
they came quickly to the cool street
HarrOwby, Paddock and Spencer Mey-
rick followed Immediately His lord
ship was most contrite
"A thousand pardons." he pleaded.
Really l can't tell you how sorry am.
Cynthia. To have made you con-
spicuous-what was | thinking Of?
But he maddened mel"
Don't worry, Allan" said Miss
Meyrick gently. 81 like you the bet
ter for being maddened"
Old Spencer Meyrick said nothing,
but Minot noted that his face was
rather red, and his eyes were some
what dangerous. They all walked
back to the hotel in silence
From the hotel lobby, as if by pre-
arrangement, Harrowby followed
Miss Meyrick and her father into
parlor Minot and Paddock were left
alone.
my word, old top" said Mr.. Pad
dock facetiously, "a rough night for
the nobility. What do you think?
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 ser
want at Rakedale Hall could have
concocted it."
"Mayhap," said Mr. Paddock
However. old Spencer Meyrick
looked to me like a volcano I'd want
to get out from under Poor old Har-
rowby! I'm afraid there's a rift
within the loot-nay, no loot at all"
Jack said Minot firmly. that
wedding has got to take place"
"Why. what's it to you?"
at happens to be everything. But
keep it under your hat"
Great Scott-does Harrowby owe
you money!"
81 can't explain just at present.
Jack"
"Oh, very WE'LL" replied Mr.. Pad
dock. But take it from me, old man
she a million times too good for
him."
"A Million" laughed Mr. Minot bit
terly. "You underestimate
Paddock stood staring with wonder /
at his friend
You lisp in riddles. my boy" he /
said
"Do I?' returned Minot. Maybe |
some day I'll make it all clear"
He parted from Paddock and as /
cended to the third floor. AS he wan
dered through the dark passageways |
in search of his room, he bumped
suddenly into heavy man, walking
softly. Something about the contour
of the man in the dark gave him 4