Evening star., 1926-05-28
THROUGHOUT
QUESTION FORMAIITY-HAvE WRITTEN HERR

hint to hand now that it would he best
for all concerned if he resolved never
to see Ii again.
On Friday morning came a letter
from Lord Ohan. 1t began with the
conventional My dear SON. but con-
tanned no other word of paternal affec-
ton. While admitting that "for few
hours prior to Eiieen's marriage" he
was aware of Johns supposed inten-
tion to return from Canada. his lord
ship justified his own silence by plead
ing a natural disinclination to cast any
shadow on an event which brought
together in perpetuity two families
already closely associated by friend
ship and local interests" He regret
ted even the semblance of double deal.
ing. hut failed to see wherein the real
grievance lay.
IF 1t was preposterous for Eileen
to think of marrying you. why should
she not marry Alistair?" he wrote,
winding up an almost curt cOmmunica
tion by suggesting that John should
agree to the breaking of the entail.
II cannot see how you should ever
consider even the remote possibility
Of residence at Inveriochtie, SO you
may be willing to cooperate in the
necessary legal formalities," he argued.
You will be properly compensated. of
course. Your lawyers and mine can
agree in selecting referee and two
valuers. and the sum they name will
he paid"
The letter coReluded with a peculiar
ly outspoken para graph. 1t read:
I'm the conditions, 1t seems to me,
actuated as | am solely by regard for
ihe future prosperity of an old and
honorable family. that you might well
adopt selfdenying ordinance. and
remain unmarried. If you do this. and
the union of Eileen and your cousin is
blessed with offspring, there is rea"
sonable prospect of old troubles being
forgotten. while the barony should
continue without a break. or course,
! cannot demand this act of renunci-
alton. 1t is for you to decide if such
a sacrifice on your part would not be
real and dignified effort to atone for
past errors"
John was far from resenting this
suggestion. In sense, it chimed with
his own wishes. Had he not suspected
tnat Alistair not only got Lord Oban
and Col. Grant to poster Eileen into
marrying him but was also the prime
mover in the plot which kept from her
the least knowledge that the man she
loved was alive and coming home, he
would have agreed at once, and kept
his bond. But he felt that his father
was not wholly a free agent, even in
this matter. 1t was too cynically rea-
soned. Had every word cha stised him
with whips and scorpions he would
have recognized the writer more accu-
rately. Its honesty of purpose was
somewhat too patent Alistair had
made the opening move by offering a
guarded friendship. Lord Oban was
acting along precisely similar lines.
Mr.. Leslie shared this view when
John took him the letter.
II have never met Lord Oban." said
the shrewd old lawyer. but no man
ean mix in affairs without projecting
more or less accurate picture OF him
self, on to the retina of the public.
and should be surprised TO learn that
your father drew up those proposals
0naided. hope you have not answer
I'd them already?"
John laughed at the alarm in his
friends voice.
NO" he said. Aren't you my legal
adviser, sir? And I have not forgot
ten yet how you threw cold water on
my model epistle to Alistair."
We'll. let me reply"
You? I hadn't thought of that.
am not inclined for any further bick
sring. Perhaps I should not put it
that way
That's all right, John. You want
no more family jars. ] understand
and approve fully. That Is why you
mad better depute me To say that
represent YOU. and your present de-