Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-01-30
natural that he should be somcwnat

natural that he should be somewhat
exceptionally gracious to the man who
had saved h:; sons life.
1t would seem that Sir John OWNED
these thoughts, for he presently spoke
.. them.
/ lowing to an unfortunate differ
ence of opinion with my son we have
not been very communicative lately"
he said, with that elaboration which
he knew how to assume when he de-
sired to be heard without interruption.
II am therefore almost entirely igno-
rant of your African affairs, but l
Imagine Jack owes more to your pluck
and prOmptness than has yet trans
pred l gathered as much from one or
two conversations l had with Miss
Gordon when she was in England. l
am one of Miss Gordon's many adj
mirers."
/ "And l am another" said Discard
frankly.
"Ah! Then you are happy enough
to be the object of a reciprocal feel
ing which for myself l could scarcely
expect. shesspoke Of you in no meas
ured language. gathered from her
that II you had not acted with great
promptitude the-er-happy event of
tomorrow could not have taken place.
The old man paused, and Guy DISCARD
who looked somewhat distressed and
distinctly uncomfortable, could find nc
graceful way of changing the CONVEX.
sation.
an. word" went on Sir John in n
very severe tene. 81 owe you q great
debt. You saved my boys life"
Yes, but you see," argued Oscard
finding his tongue ut last, "out there
thugs like that don't count for sc
much"
"Oh, don't they?' There was .the
suggestion of smile beneath Sir Johns
grim eyebrows.
NO" returned DISCARD, rather lamely
ut is sort of thing that happens every
day out there"
Sir John turned suddenly, and with
the courtliness that was ever his he in.
dulged in a rare exhibition of feeling
He laid his hand on Guy Oscard's stall
I, wart knee.
"My dear Oscard," he said, and when
lie chose he could render his voice very
soft and affectionate. none of those
arguments apply to me- because an
mot out there. l like you for trying tc
make little of your exploit. Such con
duct is worthy Of you, worthy of q
hut
fact that Jack owes his life to you ant
owe you the same, which, between
YOU and me l may mention, Is more
valuable to me than my own. l wan
you to remember always that an
your debtor, and Tiff circumstances
should ever seem to indicate that thu
feeling l have for you is anything bu
friendly and kind, do me the holior o.
1isbelieving those Indications. You un
1erstand"
"Yes," replied Discard untruthfully.
"Here we are at Lady Cantourne's.'
continued Sir John, where, US 1t hap
pens, l expect to meet Jack. Her lady
ship is naturally interested in the affai
Of tomorrow, and has kindly under
taken to keep us up to date in our be
haviOr. You will come In with mef"
0scard remembered afterward tina
he was rather puzzled, that there wa
perhaps In his simple mind the faintes
tinge of suspicion. AT the moment
however, there was no time to do any
thing but follow. The man had alread.
rung the bell and Lady CantOurne',
butler was holding the door open. Their,
was something in his attitude vaguel.
suggestive Of expectation. He neve
took his eyes from Sir John Meredith.
face, as IL on the alert for an unspoke,
ORDER
Guy DISCARD followed his companion
into the hall. and the very scent Of
the house-for each house speaks Il
more senses than one-m:,le his hear
leap In his broad breast. 1t seemed
as II Millicents presence was in thu
very air. This was more than liz
could have hoped. He had not in
tended to call this afternoon, although
the visit was only to have been post
poned for twenty-four hours.
Sir John Merediths face was mar
vel to see. 1t was quite steady. H,
was upright and alert, with all the in
trepidity of his mind up in arms. Their,
was light in his eyes, CLEAN O
light from other days not yet burnet
out.
He laid aside his gold headed can,
and threw back his shoulders.
us Mr.. Meredith upstairs?' lie sait
to the butler.
Eyes, sir"
The man moved toward the stairs.
you need not GOMEZ" said Sir John
holding up his hand.
The butler stood aside and Sir Johl
led the way up to the drawing ROOM
At the door, lie paused for n moment
Guy Oscard was Mt his heels Then h,
opened the door rather slowly and mo
toned gracefully with his left hand t,
Oscard to pass In before him.
DISCARD stepped forward. When III
had crossed the threshold Sir Johl
closed the uoor sharply behind him ant
turned to 60 downstairs.