Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-01-16
The old mans face dropped rather

Lady Cantourne dreaded. II may not
have chance CO seeing him to thank
him personally. A good servant is SO
rare nowadays. These modern demo
Gratis seem TO think that it is nobler
thing to be bad servant than good
one. AS ii we We're not all servants"
He WIGS thirsting for details. There
were thousand questions in his heart,
bur not one ON his lips.
"Will you have the kindness to re-
member my DESIRE" he went on suave-
ly, "when you are settling up with your
MANI"
"Thank you,' replied Jack. II am
much obliged to YOU"
'4And in the meantime, as you are
without servanS YOU may as we'll
make use of mine. One of my men
HeMy-who is too stupid to get Into
mischief-a great recommendation, by
the way-understands his business.
will ring and have him sent over to
your rooms at once"
He did so, and they sat in silence
until the butler had come and gone.
Eve have been very successful with
the slmiacine, our scheme" said Jack
suddenly. have brought home con-
signment valued at 10000"
Sir Johns face never changed.
"And," lie asked. with yelled sarcasm,
do you carry out the-er-commercial
part of the scheme!"
81 shall begin to arrange for the sale
of the consignment tomorrow. shall
have no difficulty, at least anticipate
none. Yes, do the commercial part
as well US the other. held the plateau
against 1900 natives for three months
with fifty-fve men. But do the CON-
mercial part us WELL"
AS he was looking into the fire still.
Sir John stole n long comprehensive
glance ut his sons face. His old eyes
lighted up With pride and something
else, possibly love. The clock on the
' mantelpiece struck IL. Jack looked
at it thoughtfully, then he rose.
81 must not keep you any longer" he
said somewhat stitfiy.
Sir John rose also.
Il dare say you are tired; you need
rest. In some ways you look stronger,
in others you look tagged and pulled
down."
sit is the result of my Illness" said
Jack. II am really quite strong"
He paused, standing on the hearth
rug, then suddenly lie held out his
hand.
Good night" he said.
GOOD night"
Sir John allowed him to go to the
door, to touch the handle, before he
spoke.
Then he said, and Jack paused.
"Then we are no further on?"
"In what way:"
'In respect to the matter over which
we unfortunately disagreed before you
went away"
Jack turned With his hand on the
door.
II have not changed my mind In any
respect" lie said gently. Perhaps you
are inclined to take my altered circum
stances into consideration, to modify
your views"
II am getting rather old for modifica.
tion," answered Sir John suavely.
"And you see no reason for altering
your decision!"
None"
"Then I am afraid we are no further
on" he paused. Good night" he
added gently as lie opened the door.
"Good night"
Lady Cantourne was meant for hap
piness and q joyous motherhood. She
had had neitheri but she went on be-
ing meant until the end-that Is tt
say she was still CHEEKY and capable
She had thrown an open letter on the
little table at her side-a letter from
Jack Meredith announcing his return
to England and his natural desire te
Of the afternoon.
80" she had said before she laid
the letter aside, he is home again-and
he means to carry ii through:'
While she still sat there the bel
rang. When Jack Meredith came into
the room she rose 10 greet him with {
smile of welcome.
Before | shake hands," she said
tell me If you lave been to see YOU
father"
II went last night-almost straight
from the station. The first person
spoke to in London. except cnDman.'
So she shook llanGs.
You know" she said, without look
ing ut him--indeal carefully avoiding
doing so-''ife is too short to quarre
with ones father. At least it may
prove too short to make 1t up again
that is the danger"
1.-The quarrel was not mine," he said
Il admit that | ought to have known
lin better. ought to have spoken
to him before asking AIillicent. 1t was
n mistake"
Lady Cantourne looked up suddenly
what was mistaken"
mot asking his-opniOn first"
She turned to the table where hi.
letter lay and fingered the paper pen
slvely.
81 thought, perhaps. that you hat
found that the other was mistake
the engagement"
NO." he answered.
"NIillicent will be in presently" Shit
said; "she is out riding"
They talked of his life in Africa, Of
, his success with the simiacine, of which
discovery the newspapers We're not We
weary, until the bell was heard in the
basement, and thereafter AIillicent'l
voice in the hall
Lady Cantourne rose deliberately ant
went downstairs to tell her niece tina
he was in the drawing room, leavin.
. him there waiting alone.
Presently the door opened and Mill
cent hurried in. She threw her glove!
, and whip-anywhere-o the floor ant
,, ran to him.
"Oh, Jack! she cried.
1t was very prettily done. In its wa,
it was poem.
"And, Jack, do YOU know" she wen
on, 'all the newspapers have been full
OF you. You are quite celebrity
, And are you really rs rich as the.
say?"