Thacker was still lamentably Ignorant of the nature of his titled visitor's business. Mr. Jephson was a small wiry man, crowned by a vast acreage of bald head, and with the immobile countenance sometimes
lovingly known as a "poker face." One felt he could watch the rain pour in torrents on the dowager duchess, Courtney Giles' waist expand visibly before his eyes, the statue of Nelson totter and fall on his shopkeeper, and never move a muscle of that face.
"I am delighted to meet your lordship," said he to Harrowby. "Knew your father, the earl, very well at one time. Had business dealings with him—often. A man after my own heart. Always ready to take a risk. I trust you left him well?"
"Quite, thank jrou," Lord Harrowby answered. "Although he will insist on playing polo. At his age—eighty-two—it is a dangerous sport"
Mr. Jephson smiled.
"Still taking chances," he said. "A splendid old gentleman. I understand that you. Lord Harrowby, have a proposition to make to me as an underwriter in Lloyds."
They sat down. Alas, if Mr. Burke, who compiled the well-known Peerage, could have seen Lord Harrowby then, what distress would have
been his I For a most unlordly flush again mantled that British cheek. A nobleman was supremely rattled.
"I will try and explain," said his lordship, gulping a plebeian gulp. "My affairs have been for some time in rather a chaotic state. Idleness —^the life of the town—^you gentlemen will understand. Naturally, it has been suggested to me that I exchange my name and title for the millions of some American heiress. I have always violently objected to any such plan. I—I couldn't quite bring myself to do any such low trick as that. And then— a, few months ago on the Continent—I met a girl—^**
He paused. Fm not a clever chap—^really," he went on. I'm afraid I can not describe her to you. Spirited —charming—" He looked toward the youngest of the trio. "You, at least, understand," he finished.
Mr. Minot leaned back in his chair and smiled a most engaging smile.
"Perfectly," he said.
"Thank you," went on Lord Harrowby in all
A SPORTING PROPOSITION il
seriousness. "It was only incidental—quite irrelevant—^that this young woman happened to be very wealthy. I fell desperately in love.
1 comment