The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-08-22
Go on With the Story.
CHAPTER II

w oh WIN tht NtoIH.
CHAPTER II.
Whether Mark Albeit was bore OF
not depended on the point of view, but
II may be said at once that he never
bored his company on the subject OF
his early life. However. stories get
about. There is always somebody who
knows 1t was said that. as a boy
Mark had attracted the notice, and pat
ronsee, OF some rich old spinster OF
the neighborhood. who had paid for his
education, both at school and uniyer
sity. At about the time when he was
coming down from Cambridge, his faith
er had died
Mark went to London, with an allow
ance from his patron, and made ac-
quaiiitance with the money-lenders. lie
was supposed, by his patron and any
others who inquired, to be writing.
but what he wrote, other than letters
asking for more time to pay, has never
been discovered
Fortunately from Marks point OF
view his patron died during his third
year, in London, and left him all the
money he wanted. He settled accounts
with the moncy-lenders, abandoned his
crop OF wild oats to the harvesting of
others and became in his turn a pa
iron. He patronizzed the Arts.
Editors were now offered free con.
tributions as well as free lunches;
promising young painters and poets
dined with him; and he even took a
theatrical company on tour. playing
host and lead" with equal lavishness.
His patronage included Matthew Cay
ley. a small cousin of thirteen. He
sent the Cayley cousin to school and
Cambridge.
Cayley at twenty.three, looked after
his cousins affairs. BY this time
Mark had bought The Red House. Cay
ley superintended the necessary staff,
He was not quite secretary, not quite
land-agent. not quite business.adviser,
not quite companion, but something
Of all four.
Cayley was now twenty. eight, but
had all the appearance of forty, which
was his patrons age. Spasmodically
eh'y NhANA u bOOh Qtdl a. l4t
Red House. Let US have a look at
them as they came down to that break.
fast. OF which Stevens, the parlormaid,
has already given US a glimpse.
The first TO appear was Major Rum.
bold, tall, gray-haired, gray-mustach.
ed. silent man, who lived on his re
tired pay. He had got TO work on a
sausage by the time of the next arrival.
This was Bill Beverley, a cheerful
young man in white flannel trousers
and a blazer.
Halo, Major" he said as he came
in "hows the gout?"
1T isn't gout," said the Major gruf.
ny.
Well, whatever It is"
The Major grunted
II make u point OF being polite at
breakfast" said Bill. helping himself
largely to porridge.
Well, we've got good day for our
game. It's going to be dashed hot,
but that's where Betty and I score.
Halo; good morning Miss Norris DO
you want any assistance. or do you
prefer choosing your own breakfast?'
Please don't get up" said Miss Nor.
ris. "I'n help myself Good morning.
Major" She smiled pleasantly at him.
The Major nodded
AS ! was telling him. began Bill,
that's where-Hallo, here's Betty.
Cayley."
Betty Calladine and Cayley had come
In together. Betty was the eighteen.
year'oid daughter OF Mrs, John Gala.
dine. widow OF the painter. who was
acting hostess on this occasion for
Mark. Ruth Norris took herself serl
ousiy as an actress and. on her holl-
days, seriously as golfer. She was
quite competent as eithc..
by the way. the car will be round
at lo;3o." said Cayley, looking up from
his letters. You're lunchlng there
and driving back directly afterward
Isn't that rlght2"
Mark came in. He was generally the
last. He greeted them and sat down
TO toast tea, Breakfast was not his
meal. The others chattered gently
while he read his letters
Good GodG' said Mark suddenly
There was an inst.ctlve turning Of
heads toward him
Il say, Cay!" He was frowning n,
held up letter and shook H. "whC
90 you think this is from?'
Cayley shrugged his shoulders. How
could he possibly guess2
Robert" said Mark.
Il thought he was In Australia. OF
somewhere"
"of course. So did l." lie looked
across at Rumbold Got any broth
trs. Major"
No"
"well. take my advice and don't hay,
my"
mot likely TO now" said the Major
Bill laughed. Miss Norris said polite
ly. But you haven't any brothers. Mi
Ablett7"
"one," said Marls grimly III your,
back In time youn see him this after
noon. He'll probably ask you to lent
him five pounds. Don't"
Everybody felt little uncomfort
able.
"All the same" said sBetty a littl,
aaringly, at must bc rather fun hay
inx = -s.laton in the cupboard"