The Winslow mail., 1923-05-11

II had long talk with Aimee this
morning" said Lady Scroope, land 1t
isn't a thing we can dismiss lightly,
Tony. know the child better than
you do" She reflected. "This Bill
this Mr.. Spencer appears to be rather
remarkable"
IF we can trust Aimee's account, u
said Lord Scroope gloomily. "But-a
young man picked up by the wayside. "
he added with bewildered air. "My
dear Delicia-w
"He is not English, Is he?"
American, l understand. It seems
curious said Lord Scroope, pensively
"but 1 believe he Is the first American
l have met"
His wife laid a small white hand on
his shoulder.
TONY, darling" she said laughing
you know very little Of the world. but
one thing at least you know. You saw
this man. Is he-a gentleman"
Lord Scroope paused.
whatever else he may not be, he
is that"
II rather gathered it from what ]
heard Of him."
But Delicia-"
The butler entered with a card on a
tray. Lord Scroope inspected the card
1t bore the name Hiram B. Rivington,
which conveyed nothing to Lord
Scroope Under it, in pencil, were the
words, "About Mr.. William Spencer"
"Is the bearer of this belowY asked
Lord Scroope.
Eyes, M lord. He wishes to see
your lordship urgently"
Lady ScrOOpe glanced at the card
and suppressed her curiosity nobly.
81 shall leave you to receive this Wis.
| itor, Tony" she said. II do not think
Aimee ought to be left alone just now
She retired. A very large, clean.
shaver man with a rectangular jaw
and thin, humorous lips, was ushered
into the library. He was attired in
family, and there was something com
polling about his presence.
Lord Scroope?" he inquired, bowling
courteously. "It's very good Of you to
receive a stranger. l thought that my
nephew, William Spencer, would be
here He promised me to arrive about
now. l guess it's something big that's
delayed him."
rs Mr.. Spencer your nephew?" said
Lord Scroope guardedly.
THAT is so. You know him, ]
J think"
1T is hardly the word know less
than nothing Of him, Mr.. Rivington."
Correct. He feels, and so do l, that
a proper explanation is due to you
Lord Scroope I don't know the whole
story, but circumstances have impelled
| William, by no choice of his own, tC
break into the society of Eastshire
county in way that would probably
be called unusual down here He came
| to London and consulted me last night
He was very much distressed-which
| isn't usual with him. It's only fair tC
| William that his credentials should be
presented, and l think I'm the man tC
do it. 1 should like, Lord Scroope, tC
tell about Billy"
Lord Scroope stiffened. But there
was an uncommon dignity in Mr. Riv.
ington; there was also something re
markably likable about him. He ap-
peared to have very strongly the Spen-
Ger gift Of attraction.
"Will you be seated, Mr.. Rivington
l will give my attention to what you
have to say"
Mr.. Rivington twinkled again, then
became grave.
Il should have thought" he said
subsiding gently into an old bergere
| chair, that it was enough for anyone
to meet William to size him up How
ever, he is the son Of nay only sister,
and of the late Lindon Spencer of Den
yer. Who was, on the whole, the finest
man l ever knew in the course of life
that has been described as varied and
comprehensive. And Billy Is as good
as his father. l wish you had met Lin
DON"
L appreciate what you say" replied
Lord ScrOpe. Il do not gather, how
ever, what Mr.. Spencer's occupation
! is."
HE has developed himself as a mo-
tor engineer"
Il know so little of mechanics" be-
| gan Lord ScrOope.
Mechanics" said Mr.. Rivington
smiling, ARE, of course, a matter OF
taste. They have an interest for me- -
light dawned suddenly on Lord
Scroope.
rs it possible" he said that you are
the-the author as it were-of the Riv-
ingtOn motOrcar?"
THAT among other things" said the
visitor pleasantly.
Lord Scroope looked bewildered. 1t
was not possible, however ignorant one
might be Of mechanics, not to have
heard of the Rivington automobile.
Nor, however casual a reader of the
secular press, could one avoid the
! echoes of the fame of that solid manin-