The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-24
The Amateur Gentleman
by Jeffrey Farnol

''But-can't you see. IL you force
him to expose you it will mean your
social ruin2"
But then I gave-her-my prom
ise."
oh. Barnabas," said the duchess,
looking up at him with ner young,
beautiful eyes that were so like
Cleone's. what a superb fool you
are And your father is only a
village inn-keeperl"
NO. madam-he was champion Of
all England as we'll"
"Ohl" sighed the duchess, shaking
her head. that poor Sir Mortimer
Carnabyl But, as for you. sir, you're
a fool, either a very clumsy, or a
very-unselfsh one-anyhow, you're
a fool. you knowi"
yes" sighed Barnabas, his head
hanging, 7 fear am"
"Oh. yes-you're quite fool-not
a doubt Of it" said the duchess with
a nod Of finality. And yet. oh,
dear me- I think it may be because
I'm II and growing younger every
day, or perhaps because I'm so old
that have to wear a wig, but my
tastes are so peculiar that there are
some fools I could almOst-love. SO
you may give me your arm-Bar-
nabas."
LIE obeyed mechanically, and
l. l. they went on down the road
together in silence until they came
to a pair Of tall, hospitable gates,
and here Barnabas paused, and
spoke wonderingly:
Madam, you-you surely forget
I am the son of "a"
"A champion of all England,
Barnabas. But. though you can
thrash Sir Mortimer Carnaby, VIII
fred Chichester is the kind Of crea-
ture that only a truly clever woman
can hope to deal with, so you may
leave him to mel"
But, madam, I"
"Barnabas, quite so. But Wilfred
Chichester always makes me shud-
der, and 1 love to shudder-now
and then, especially in the hot
weather. And then everything
bOres me lately-Cleone, myself
even whist. so III try my hand at
another game-with Wilfred Chi
chester as an opponent.
But, duchess, indeed I"
VERY true, Barnabas! but the
l. r1fflod And ranru
you are still determined to-confess
your father to Cleone, I suppoSe?"
YES, L dare not speak to her
otherwise, how could I, knowing
myself an"
"Impudent impostor, sir? Quite
so and fiddlesticksl Heighol you
are so abominably high-minded and
heroic, BarnabaS,-it's quite de-
pressing. Cleone is only a human
woman, who powders her nose when
it's red, and quite right tool mean
the powder of course, not the red
ness. Oh! indeed she's very human,
and after all, your mother was a
Beverley, and I know you are rich
and-ahl there she is-on the ter
race with the captain, and I'm sure
she has seen you, Barnabas, because
she's SC vastly unconscious. Now
watch her surprise when she pre-
tends to catch sight of us!"
.uEREUPoN, as they advanced
IL over the smooth turf, the
duchess raised her voice.
MY birdl" she called in dulcet
tones, "Clo. dear, Cleone, my lamb,
here is Barnabas, I found him-un-
der the finger-post, my dove!"
My lady turned, gave the least
little start in the world, was sur
prised. glad. demure, all in the self
same minute.
Hal" cried the captain, my dear
fellow, we're glsd-I say we're all Of
us glad to see you. Welcome to The
Gables, eh. Clo?"
And Cleone? With what gracious
ease she greeted him! With what
clear eyes she looked at him! With
what demure dignity she gave him
her white hand to kiss!
ITO Be Continued