The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-04-25

AA8A - A1hAe
understanding difficult"
1.-THE first duty of an uncle,a said Mr..
Rivington, is to realize when he's In
the way. With your permission, Lord
Scroope. I'll go below"
He retired, leaving the two together.
and drifted into the. sunny morning
room overlooking the lawn. In a few
moments Lady Scroope came in. Mr..
Riyington made himself known to her.
In a very short time Lady ScroOpe had
skillfully ELECTED from Mr.. Rivington
all the information he had given to her
husband, and a good deal more. She
dubbed with amusement and sympathy
as the enthusiastic Riyington expound-
ed Billy's qualities.
81 had q few words with your neph-
ew, Mr.. Rivington, before he went up
stairs" she said laughing, "a most
magnetic and alluring young man. |
tremble to think what his influence
may be on my supplemented husband"
Mr.. Rivington, coloring with pleas-
ure, looked admiringly at the little
lady, wondering how she came to have
a daughter as old as Aimee-who mt
that entered the room. Lady
Scroope introduced her guest.
"Well!' murmured Mr.. Rfvington.
holding Aimee's hand after shaking it
and regarding her vivid beauty with
the most intense appreciation, 81 can
understand Billy's anxiety now"
DO you mean to say" exclaimed
Aimee, that Billy is here?'
HE is at present with your father In
the library, dear" replied her mother.
Aimee departed hastily.
Aimee" her mother called after her.
you are on no account to interrupt
them"
I'm going to be there when they
come out I" said Aimee over her Shout
der rs she disappeared.
The two elder people looked at each
other. and both of them laughed. Mr..
Rivington vas charmed. Lady Seroope
was wholly unlike his preconceived no
tons of an English peeress. They re-
sumed their conversation and drifted
out through the windows to the lawn
near the entrance, where stood the
Sphinx. The original Sphinx, with
p~illion-seat de luxe attached.
Ten minutes later Lord Scroope,
with a c~ountenance that was positively
animated, came toward them across the
grass.
my dear Delicia !" he exclaimed. 81
have no objection to saying, even be-
fore Mr.. Rivington, that William Spen-
Ger is a most remarkable young man
Not only has his conduct all through
the affair been admirable. but his char
acter appeals to me very greatly. Their,
very essence of religion, In that young
fellow, than l have yet encountered in
anyone of his age"
Mr.. Rivington, coloring still more
deeply, looked at his lordship with APP
preciative eyes. Lady Scroope smiled
"Tony, dear, I have seldom heard yol
express yourself so warmly and as q
judge of character you have taught me
to regard you as infallible. Certainly
from the rather brief interview 1 had
with Mr.. Spencer l formed a similal
opinion. But do I understand hat you
have-?"
Hem" said Lord Scroope, with
some slight confusion, 1--WE appear to be
moving rather-ab-rapidly. l feel
He broke off, apparently at a loss, as
Billy and Aimee came towards them
across the lawn, side by side. There
was something Olympian in Billy's as
pect and the splendOr Of his smile.
Aimee was radiant and glowing. Lord
Scroope scarcely recognized in her the
pallid and distressed young woman
who had returned from JervaulX. II
was as though an errant descendant of
the gods had restored his daughter TO
him.
'Dadw said Aimee. you've been
splendid, dear. And l want to say all
the nice things TO Billy's uncle, that
haven't had a chance to, yet"
r
81 hope" said Lord Scroope. win
king his brow in perplexity as he and
his Wife stood IN the library some
hours later. after the departure of the
visitors. that I have not been too
preclpitate. Have I committed my
self too far, Delicia?"
Lady Scroope pushed her husband
gently into an armchair and perched
herself on the arm of it.
IF you mean, DEAR" she said,
stroking his hair, did you definitely
accept Billy Spencer as a prospective
son-in-law-you certainly did. And a
very good thing. too
did | reallyY" murmured her hus-
band. 81 hardly recognize myself to-
day, Delicia. 1t seems very preeipi-
tate. There are so many things to
consider-to verify"
81 haven't the slightest doubt that
will be all right. Two of the sound
est people l ever came across"
But what"
"Tfat 1 like about Americans" said
Lady Scroope, "when a proposition
that's what they call it, I think-when
a proposition is clear, they don't waste
time. l like people who don't waste
time-it makes life so much less com
plicated."
81 am certainly conscious of a great
access of happiness"
ayes. Because Aimee is so happy.
And Aimee's happiness Is a very infec-
tlous quality. still, Mt the moment,
Tony dear. you are looking a little
worried and anxious. Why?n