Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-06
The Ring and the Man
Continued from page 8

answered GOrmly, VINO was nothing IL not &C
Curate.
I'VE have-er-bought things at Your shop
for a longer time than that, | fancy here in
terposed Mrs. Haldane vaguely, with an air of
great condescension.
You have been on nv books, madam, as
one of my most valued customers ever since
l moved to Broadway twenty-one years age"
returned Gor1nly, who was by no means
ashamed of his business. else he would not have
continued in it. He was keen enough to see,
however, the estimation IN which both he and
it were held by the mother of the woman he
loved
Yes" said the elder Haldane at this juno
ture, / have been making out checks with
monotonous regularity to your firm ever since. )"
MY good man" began Mrs. Haldane still
A'A somewhat vaguely, and evidently rather
at loss how to place this lrreproachably clad
and fine appearing gentleman who had soiled
his hands with trade and did not seem to be
at all embarrassed or ashamed of it.
''Oh come, l say, mother!' began Living
stone Haldane.
"Mother!" exclaimed the daughter, blush
ing with vexation. 50 Mr.. Gormly, forgive me,
! forgot that You did not know my family"
g" have seen them often in the store,- Miss
Haldane, and have even waited upon some of
them in other days myself, replied Gormy,
quite as cold and formal in his manner as any
in the room.
Nevertheless, want the pleasure OF pre-
". mother, my very good friend"
Mrs. Haldane drew herself up Gormly
bowed himself down in a how most carefully
calculated to express proper degree OF ap-
probation of the honor and nothing more.
My friend, Miss Stewart; my father; and
my brother, Mr.. Livingstone Haldane; DR..
Deveaux."
The persons mentioned bowed coolly, ex-
Cept that Livingstone Haldane infused little
more cordiality in his recognition than the
"A Ir
forward and extended his hand
MY dear sir" he said genially, his face
beaming with good nature and genuine adj
miration, Il am delighted to have the privi-
lege of shaking you by the hand. Anybody
who has the courage to attack the Gotham
Freight Traction Company as you have done
in the papers may be regarded a public
benefactor whom it is an honor to know
Thank you" said Gornly, grateful for
this recognition.
cident to our machine has thrown your
hospitality. | did not know that my friend
Goodrich had sold this place, or
Let that give you no concern, sir" an
swered Gormly, " pray that you will consider
the place and all in it Your own | beg you
will take off your wraps and make yourselves
entirely at home.
That's very handsome of YOU am sure -
continued the elder Haldane slowly remov-
ing his coat; but my own place hes only six
miles beyond mere. ana II you Will permit us TO
telephone to my stables, think we shall have to
trouble YOU but very little
The telephone is in the library wonder Mr.
Haldane, and is at your service as is every
thing in the house. l regret that nv own
stables are not yet furnished. Meanwhile may
| ask, have You had dinner? Can | offer YOU
anything to eat, Or
I'VE thank YOU" answered Mrs Haldane,
but we dined at the Braddons. a place five
or SIX miles back, before we started"
A cup of tea glass of wine after YOUR
cold ride, them" SAID Gor1nlv
That would be very nice indeed" said Miss
Haldane.