The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-01-26

4
mother. I've warned you time and time
again against your extravaganza"
Are you quarrellng, my sOnsT" the
mother asked. Irving. what does Rob
ert want?"
"He wants more money, mother
He's had his months allowance, and
he has gone through It already. He
wastes his money, mother and l can.
not let him have any more"
Are you not too hard on your
younger brother, Irving?" asked Mrs.
Randolph. She went to Robert and
tried to soothe him as he stood glar-
ing at his brother, his face flushed and
angered.
Irving turned away with sigh. As
he did so his glance passed through the
open French windows of the drawing
room, and the sight that met his eye
drove from his mind all thought of his
brothers financial difficulties. Along
the broad road that led to Randolph
Towers beautiful Ethel Porter was rid
ing to join her lover. With a hurried
Excuse me, mother" Irving went to
meet her. In the Joy of he meeting
the quarrel with his brother and his
mothers unintentional injustice were
quite forgotten.
While the lovers talked and made
their plans for meeting that night at
Ethers home visitor Of quite a DIFF
ferent sort arrived at Randolph Tow
ers. He sought Robert Randolph. In
his pocket were certain papers signed
by the young spendthrift. These ex.
planned the latter's anxiety and his de.
mands on his brother for money. They
We're promissory notes for f1OO. made
out TO the order OF Bart Nichols. They
were due, and Bart had come 10 collect
his money or, as he put 1t. to raise a
fuss with the old lady" The debts
were gambling debts and as such not
collectable in law, but Bart knew that
Robert, with all his faults. was no
'welsher.''
The Randolphs' butler announced
Bart Nichols. "Oh, dear, that man
agoin! Robert, do not like him: |
wish you would not associate with
him." said Mrs. Randolph
"Oh, he's good fellow. mother"
said Robert. and he went out to greet
his visitor.
The burden of their talk was money.
Robert pleaded for time In which to
meet the notes. giving his brothers
"mlserliness" rs his excuse. II met
with sneer. why don't you go to
your mother for cash ?" asked Bart
"She trusts too much in Irving" said
Bob. And he's so loyal to his majesty
that he won't let anything with the
kings head on it get away from him.
Sh-h-h! Here be comes now"
Having parted reluctantly with his
hancee, Irving returned TO the house
and came face to face with the GRO
nies. He frOwned as he saw Bart. He
had no reason to like his brothers as
sOciates.
1t was not the first time that Robert
had pleaded with his brother for mon.
ey. Sometimes he had succeeded In
getting 1t on false pretenses, but there
was genuine distress in his voice now
as he begged for help to meet those
"cursed notes" 'Pve got to pay I'D.
Irving; I've just got to pay My friends
know about them. could never look |
them In the face again If | didn't pay |
up. II you help me this time I'll never |
ask you again. You wouldn't want to
see me disgraced and sent to Coventry |
at the club, Irving, would yOu?"
With such arguments Bob won his
brother over. There was doubt I'm IT.
wings mind as to the wisdom OF pay
ing these gambling debts Of Robert.
But the brOtherly tie was strong. Per-
haps the family honor Of the Randolphs
was involved, and there was the aging,
widowed mother to consider. After all,
the estate was large and could meet
even Roberts incessant demands for
money.
So Irving yielded. And bis scape-
grace younger brother repaid him by
going out that night on a drunken orgy
with Bart, while Irving. troubled I'm
mind, was charged by his sweetheart
with neglecting her But the lovers
quarrel ended. as their quarrels al
ways did, In reconciliation and kisses.
The home OF the KeltOns. a pretty
little place not far from Randolph
Towers. was aglOw with lights one
evening few weeks after Irving had
settled his brothers gambling debts
Mrs Kelton was giving reception,
and among the invited guests we're
Ethel Porter and Irving and Robert
Randolph. For months Irving had
known OF his brothers infatuation for
The pretty Mrs. Kelton. II was no
secret. All the county knew that she
numbered Robert Randolph among her
'onquests and that her husband looked
with a Jealous eye on her flrtatiOns.
There had been no open break between
he two. KeltOn could accuse his wife
II nothing worse than fiirtatious desire
o keep the young man dawdling at
ler side. ,
Kelton warned her: "Your guests
will talk about you. Let young Ran
lOlph alone this evening"
Every well. my dear" she had prom, '
Sed. But the light IN the conserya. 4
DRY was dim, and perhaps both Mrs :
Ielton and Bob had had just one or y
wO glasses OF wine. and their heads .
we're just q wee BIT too close together \
when Kelton came seeking bis wife.
To Kelton's credit be It said that he
poke not a word TO his wife or 10 Bob
randolph lie did not even look at
be young man as he offered his arm
0 his wife The young woman could y