Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-01-09
CHAPTER NIX.
. EEL like gettin' up to breakfast,
do you, sir?" said Joseph to his
master a few days later. "Well,
y / am glad. Giad mint quite the

ana lie proceeded 10 perform the uu-
ties attendant on his masters ward
robe with a wise, deep seated shake of
the head. While setting the shaving
necessaries in order ON the dressing
table, he went further--he winked
gravely at himself in the looking glass.
you've made wonderful progress the
last few days. sir" he remarked. 81 al
ways told Missis Marie that it would
do you lot Of good to have Mr.. Cor
don to heart you up with his CHEEKY
ways-and Miss Gordon, too, sir.'
Eyes, but they would not have been
much good without all your care before
they came. had turned the corner a
week ago-1 felt it myself"
Joseph grinned-an honest, open grin
of self satisfaction. He was not one
of those persons who like their praise
bestowed with subtlety.
'Wonderful!' he repeated to him
self, as he went to the well in the
garden for his masters bath water.
'Wonderful! But / don't understand
things-not bein' marryin' man."
During the last few days Jacks prog
ress had been rapid enough even to
satisfy Joseph. The doctor expressed
himself fully reassured and even spoke
of returning no more. But he repeated
his wish that Jack should leave for
England without delay
HE is quite strong enough to be
moved now" he finished by saying.
AThere is no reason for further delay"
"No," answered Jocelyn. to whom
the order was spoken. mo, none. We
will see that he goes by the next
bout"
Jocelyn entered the drawing room
with n smile. She met Jack at the
door.
The doctor is pleased with your
progress" she said. lie does not
seem to want to see you any more, and
he told me to be inhospitable. He told
me to turn you out You are To leave
by the next steamer"
This is no joking matter" he said,
half seriously. 1.-The worst of it is that
you seem rather pleased"
Il am-at the thought that you are
so much better" She paused and
turned quite away, busying herself
with pile of books and magazines.
'The other" she went on too indiifcr-
emily, was unfortunately TO be fore
seen. 1t is the necessary drawback"
He rose suddenly and walked 10 the
window. Ii was she who spoke Mt
last
'IIe also said" she observed in a
irp1
out to Africa again"
He turned rs If lie had been stung.
Did he make use of that particular
word?" he asked.
what particular word:'
Must"
Jocelyn had not foreseen the posi-
billy that the doctor was merely re
peating to her what he had told Jack
on previous visit.
NO" she answered. II think lie
said better not"
However" she added, you can de-
eide when you get home"
He laughed.
1.-THE least pleasant part of it is" lie
said, your evident desire to see the
last of me. Could you not disguise that
n little, just for the sake of my feel.
ings:''
Book your passage by the next boat
and l will promptly descend to the
lowest depths of despair" she replied
lightly.
II WONDER" he said slowly, 'if you
are doing this for purpose. You said
that you met my father
Your father is not the man to ask
any ones assistance in his own domes.
tic affairs, and anything attempted 10
do could only be looked upon as the
most understandable Interference
YES" said Meredith seriously II
beg your pardon You are right"
He went to his own room and sum.
moned Joseph.
when is the next boat holae:" h.
asked.
Boat Oh Thursday, SIR
Meredith nodded After little paus,
he pointed to II chair.
Just sit down." lie sIid II wan; tc
talk over this simiacine business Will
you"
Joseph squared his shoulders and sat
down, with Il face Indicative Of the
gravest attention. Sitting thus lie WAS
no longer Il servant, but 81 partner III
the simiacine. He even INDUCED in q
Sideiong jerk of the head as If request
ing the attention of some absent friend
tn humble sphere of life TO this glori
Gus state of affairs.
you KNOW" said Meredith. "AIr
Durnovo is more or less Il blackguard'
Joseph drew in his feet, having pre-
viously drawn his trousers up at the
knees.
Yes, sir" he said, CHANGING UP.
He wants continual watching and Il
special treatment. He requires some
one constantly AT his heels"
Yes slr." admitted Joseph, with
some fervor.
Now am ordered home by the
Doctor" went on Meredith. Il must
go by the next boat, but don't like
to go and leave Mr. DISCARD in the
lurch, with no one to fall back upon
but Durnovo, you understand"
loseph's face had assumed the habit.
ual look of servitude. He was no long
err Il partner, but a mere retainer, will
half comic resignation in his eyes.
Eyes. sir" scratching the back of his
neck. II am afraid / understand. You
want me to go back to that platter
that God forsaken platter. as l may
say"
Yes" said Meredith; "that is about
it. l would go myself
God bless YOU / know you would.'
burst in Joseph. You'd go like winkin'
There's no one knows that better nor
me, sir, and what says is, like mas.
ter, like man. Game, sir; game it Isl
I'll go. I'm not the man to turn my
back on pal, IA partner, sir, so to
speak"
"You see," said Meredith, with the
deep insight into men that made com
rnand so easy to him-'you see there
Is no one else. There is not another
man in Africa who could do it,
'"rhat's true, sir"
Sand think fhOt Mr. OSaard will Inc