The Dolores star., 1923-08-17

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the most distressing aspect OF the
whole affair"
II had long talk with Aimee this
morning." said Lady Scroope, "and II
Isn't n thing we can dismiss lightly
Tony. know the child better thah
you do" She reflected. This Bill
this Mr.. Spencer appears to be rather
remarkable"
IF we can trust Aimee's account
said Lord Scroope gloomily. "But-a
young man picked up by the wayside,
he added with bewIldered air. My
dear Dellcla-"
He is not English. IS her
American, l understand. 1t seems
curious" said Lord Scroope, pensively'
but believe he Is the first American
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 ScrdApe paused.
"Whatever else he may not be, he
is that"
Il rather gathered 1t from what l
heard of him"
But pclIcia-"
The butler entered with n card on n
tray. Lord Scroopc inspected the card.
1t bore the name Hiram Il. Rivngton,"
which conveyed nothing to Lord
Scroope Under it, in pencil. were the
words. about Mr.. William Spencer"
as the bearer Of this below" asked
Lord Scroope.
"Ycs, m lord He wishes to see
your IordshIp urgently"
Lady Scroopc glanced at the card,
and suppressed her curiosity nohly.
Il shall leave you to receive this vIs-
Itor, Tony" she said. 81 do not think
Aimee ought TO be left alone Just now"
She retired. \ very large, clean
shaven man with a rectangular Jaw
and thin. humorous lips, wus ushcred
into the library. lie was attIred in
roomy gray tweeds, his eye twInkled
family, and there was something com
pellinE about his presence.
Lord Scroope?" he Inquired, bowlng
cOurteously. ITS very good of you to
receive stranger. | thought that my
nephew. William Spencer, would be
here. He promised me to arrive about
now. ! guess it's something big that's
delayed him"
rs Mr.. Spencer your nephewf" said
Lord SCroOpe guardedly.
That is so. You know him,
think"
at is hardly the word. I know less
than nothing Of him, Mr.. Riylngton."
Correct He feels, and so do /, that
proper explanation IS due to you.
Lord Scroope. l don't know the whole
story, but circumstances have !mpellcd
william. by no choice of his own, to
break into the society Of Eastshlre
county In n way that would probably
be called unusual down here. He came
to London and consulted me last night.
He was very much dIstressed-whlch
Isn't usual with him. It's only fair to
William that his credentials should be
presented, and think I'm the man to
do ii. I should like, Lord ScrOope. to
tell about Billy"
Lord Scroope stifrencd. But there
was an uncommon dignity in Mr.. Riv-
inEton; there was also something re-
markably likable about him. He ap-
peared to have very strongly the Spcn-
f.pr giC NJ attraction q
"Will you be seated, Mr.. Rivlngton.
l will give my attention to what you
have to say"
Mr.. Riyington twinkled ngaIn, then
became grave.
Il should have thought" he said,
subsldlng gently into an old bergere
chair, "thut it was enough for anyone
to meet William to size him up. How
ever, he is the son of my only sister,
and Of the late LindOn Spencer of Den
yer. Who was, on the whole, the finest
man ever knew in the course Of a life
that has been described rs varied and
comprehensive. And Billy Is as good
as his father. l wish you had met Lin
dom"
1 appreciate what you say" replied
Lord ScrOpe. 81 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 ;,
A light dawned suddenly on Lord
ScroOpe.
rs it possible" he said, that you are
the-the author as 1t were-of the Riv-
inSton mOtorcarf'
THAT among other things" said the
visitor pleasantly.
Lord Scroope looked bewlldered, II
was not possible, however ignorant one
might be Of mechanics, not to have
heard Of the Rlvlngton automobile
Nor, however casual reader OF tho
secular press, could one avoid tbe
echoes of fla fnna ne Tho,