Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-08-01
CHAPTER II.

never bored his company on the sub
feet of his early life. However, stor
les got about. There is always some
body who knows. It was said that
as a boy. Mark had attracted the no
tice, and patronage, OF some rich ol'
spinster of the neighborhood. WHIT
had paid for his education. both a
school and university. At about thu
time when he was coming down from
Cambridge, his father had died.
Mark went to London, with al
allowance from his patron, and made
acquaintance with the money-lend
ers. lie was supposed, by his patror
and any others who inquired, to h'
writing" but what he wrote. Other
than letters asking for more time t.
paw has never been discovered.
Fortunately Cfrom 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 money-lenders,
abandoned his crop Of wild oats TO
the harvesting OF others. and became
In his turn a patron. He patrohized
the Arts.
Editors we're now offered free con-
tribuuons as well as free lunches;
promising young painters and poets
dined with him: and he even took
a theatrical company on tour, play
ing host and lead" with equal Law
ishnesS.
His patronage included Matthew
Cayley small cousin OF thirteen.
He sent the cayley cousin to school
al Cambridge.
Cayley at twenty-three. looked ar
ter his cousins affairs. BY this time
Mark had bought The Red House.
Cayley superintendent the necessary
staff He was not quite secretary. not
quite land-agent not quite business
advisor. 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. Spas
medically they entertained good
deal at The Red House. Let us
have a look at them as they came
down TO that breakfast, OF which
Stevens. the parlormaid, has already
given us a glimpse
The first TO appear was Major
Rum bold. a tall. gray-haired. gray
silent man. who lived on |
his retired pay. He had got to work |
on 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?1
1T isn't govt said the Major
grufiy
We'll. whatever IL is"
The Major grunted.
Il make a point Of being polite at
breakfast" said Bill. helping him
self largely TO porridge.
We'll, we've got a good day for
our game. It's going 10 be dashed
hot. but that's where Betty and I /
score. Halo; good morning, Miss |
Norris. DO you want any assis-
lance. or do you prefer choosing
your own breakfast"
PLEASE don't get up" said Miss
Norris. I'm help myself Good
morning. Major" She smiled
pleasantly at him.
The Major nodded.
"As I was telling him" began
Bill. that's where-Hallo. here's
Betty. Morning. Cayley."
Betty Calladine and Cayley had
come in together. Betty was the
sighteen-year-o daughter Of Mrs.
John Calladine. widow of the paint
sr. who was acting hostess on this
occasion for Mark. Ruth Norris
ook herself seriously as an actress
nd. on her holidays. seriously as a
.olfer She was quite competent as
ither.
by the way. the car will be round
1t 1890" said Cayley, looking up
from his letters You're lunching
here, and driving back directly af- |
Isn't that right?"
Mark came in. He was generally 4
the last. He greeted them and sat
down TO toast and tea. Breakfast
was not his meal. tThe others chat
tered gently while he read his let
ters
Good God" said Mark suddenly.
There was an instructive turning
OF neads toward him.
say Cay!" He was frowning.
ne held up letter and shook. Il.
VINO do You think this Is from -
cayley shrugged his shoulders
How could he possibly guess?
Robert said Mark.
j thought he was in Australia ~,
somewhere" Va
"of course. So did T." He lootea
across at Rumbold. Got any
brothers Major?"
mo"
wei. take my advice. and don't
have any"
mot likely 20 now said the
Major.
Bill laughed. Miss Norris said DO
ltely; But you haven't any
brothers. Mr.. Ablett?"
zone said Mark grimiy. 'If
you're back in time you'll see him
this afternoon He'll probably ask
you TO lend him FIVE pounds. DON'T"
Everybody felt a little uncomfort-
able.
'Ali the same. said Betty little
daringiy. 1T must be rather fun hay-
ing a skeleton in the cupboard"
Mark looked up, frowning
II you think It's FUN. I'll hand
him over to you, Betty. I. her any