The Winslow mail., 1923-05-11

fortunate in his uncle"
Il would rather say that I'm fortu-
nate in my nephew" replied Rivington.
BILLY doesn't need an uncle In my
country we haven't much use for a
young man whose only assets are his
! relatives. Billy has made good by his
own efforts, sir. He is the inventor
and proprietor of the Flying Sphinx
motorcycle"
IAN experimental machine, I under
stand. hope, for Mr.. Spencer's sake"
said Lord Scroope, politely, "that it
may prOve-ah-successfu
Mr.. Rivington smiled.
THE present model Of the Sphinx,
though big advance on the others, Is
past the experimental stage. OF the
first and second models, a quarter Of
million have been sold in the States.
The plant for the latest, on mass pro-
duction, is now being laid down. In
the company that's being floated hold
a third contrOl-and I'm very thank
full that l have. Billy stands to clean
up three hundred and fifty thousand
|
Il have not very good head for fig
ures, Mr.. Rivington. Could you trans
late that into terms of English cur
rency"
about seventy thousand pounds"
Lord Scroope sat perfectly silent,
gazing at Mr.. Rivington.
"But the youngster himself Is what
I'm concerned with-not what he's got.
However," continued Rivington, look
ing out of the window as faint whir-
ring noise was heard below, 81 see he's
arrived, so l needn't say any more.
But I'm very glad to have had this
chance to speak for him. Billy isn't
good at praising himself"
Billy's card came up, and Billy short
ly followed it. He looked at Lord
Scroope efficiently.
81 shall be glad to have a few words
with you, Mr.. Spencer" said Lord
Scroope with his most amiable air,
there was a staccato quality about our
first meeting, that rendered a mutual
understanding difficult"
1.-THE first duty of an uncle" 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..
Rivington 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
bubbled with amusement and sympathy
as the enthusiastic Rivington expOund-'
ed Billy's qualities.
II had few words with your neph-
ew, Mr.. RivingtOn, before he went up
stairs" she said laughing, "a most
magnetic and alluring young man. l
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
daughter as old as Aimee-who at
that moment entered the room. Lady
ScrOope introduced her guest.
"Well!" murmured Mr.. Rivington,
holding Aimees 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"
come out !" said Aimee over her Shout
der as she disappeared.
The two elder people looked at each
other, and both of them laughed Mr..
Rivington was charmed. Lady Scroope
was wholly unlike his preconceived no.
lions 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
pillion-seat de luxe attached.
Ten minutes later Lord Scroope,
with countenance that was positively
animated, came toward them across the
grass.
"My dear Delicia !" he exclaimed. II
have no objection to saying, even be-
fore Mr.. RivingtOn that William Spen-
Ger is most remarkable young man.
Not only has his conduct all through
the affair been admirable, but his char
acter appeals to me very greatly. There
is more innate honesty, more of the
very essence of religion, in that young
fellow, than have yet encountered in
anyone Of his age"
Mr.. RivingtOn, cooring still more
deeply, looked at his lordship with APP
preciative eyes. Lady ScrOOpe smiled
'Tony, dear, have seldom heard you
express yourself so warmly; and as a