own upon his Yankee marriage, as she termed it, and
never could understand why the plain Markhams failed to realize the
honour her brother had paid them by taking Caroline for his wife.

"I must see that the misnomer is corrected," was all Mrs. Treadwell
rejoined. So Lansing had passed through preparatory school and was
ready for college before Markham could be brought to definite terms.
The letter from The Forge was the first proposition, and now on that
September day Lansing Hertford, prepared and coached by his aunt
Treadwell, presented himself at Bretherton on the two-fifty train.

"He'll probably offer you a beastly little allowance," Olive Treadwell
had warned; "but I'll add to that; so accept it like a lamb. Then
he'll throw Cornell to you--he has right bad taste in universities--but
you must use your tact there, Lans. Tell him about your associates and
how your future will be influenced by your college Frat and such
things. Men like your uncle Markham are always snobs at heart."

Thus reinforced Lansing Hertford came up for judgment. He was a
handsome, rollicking chap--a charming combination of his graceful
father and his lovely mother--and he greeted his uncle and aunt with
frank affection. Even in those days Lansing Hertford could will his
emotions--or his emotions could will him--to sincerity for the time
being. He had ideals and enthusiasms--he changed them often, and, as
often, they changed him, but outwardly a frankness and openness were
his chief attributes and had held his uncle, through the hope-deferred
years, to expect big things of him.

CHAPTER IX

Lansing Treadwell, after an hour on the piazza with his aunt and uncle,
followed the latter into the study and, taking the broad leather chair,
faced Markham across the flat desk with candid, friendly eyes. Levi
sat, as he always did when in that room, in his revolving chair; the
leather one was reserved for visitors.

"Well, Lansing," he began, sternly endeavouring to obscure the hope,
pride, and affection that were welling up in his heart as he looked at
the boy; "you're through preparatory; have qualified for college and,
after this year, are ready for your career!"

"I've done pretty well, Uncle Levi. I stand third in my class and I'm
the youngest."

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"You'll be eighteen when you enter college? That's too young."

"I'm older than my years," Lansing gave a boastful laugh, then did a
bunglin