Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-06-18


abroad" suggested Miss Schermerly
II shall prepare paper upon that
very subject for the Woman's Liter
airy league. Would you have any OBJ
lection. Lord Croyland. IL quoted
you as an authority
Not in the least" said Richard gal.
lantly. I'm fact my dear Miss Scher-
merly, should be honored-vastly So"
He smiled on himself at the thought
Of the real Lord Croyland should that
gentleman ever chance TO read the pa
per in question, but that was Croy-
lands affair." not his.
II will bring my notebook into the
library this afternoon" the ancient
one stated, and, with a smile to Rich
ard, could you help me then. do you
Think
IL should be most pleased" said
Richard, with an answering smile
'but | fear I'm engaged to Miss Rem
wyck this afternoon for quite long
horseback ride. At another time
shall be charmed, I assure you.''
Miss Harriet started. She was I'M
aware Of any such engagement, but
somehow the idea did not displease
her She smiled and offered to release
Lord Croyland, but that gentleman
would not hear Of It.
"By the way" said Miss Harriet In
order to change the subject, "Imogene
tells me that you have agreed to take
part in our little play. 1t is awfully
good Of you to help us out"
"Not at ALL" answered Richard. with
pronounced sadness. 1T is a pleas
ure to serve you In any way"
Mr.. Van der Awe In thunderstruck
amazement stared blankly across the
table. while his half raised fork fell
Gathering upon his plate.
"Oh. say he began, but Rich
ard arrested further speech by swift
glance There was silence for a mo-
ment: then Miss Renwyck spoke:
you don't seem to be overenthu-
siastic at the prospect, Lord Croyland.
Don't you think the part would suit
your
The Texan considered her words
thoughtfully. fumbled for his monocle.
got it into position after another gym
nastic exercise with his left eye and
sighed deliberately.
1.-THE part" he stated with a slow
drawl, sis delightful as I understand
it-but-shall l be perfectly candid.
Miss Renwyck"
The ladies In breath assured him
that that was just what they wished.
so he continued, struggling with en-
barrassment:
'I've never gone in for that sort of
thing once and confess with
regret that / caused fasco. I'm very
stupid at such things - really. you
know, abominable. 1t is rather the
duty of a guest to comply with the
wishes Of his hostess, and I feel 1t In
cumbent upon me to make a trial of
the role, even If the outcome holds me
up to open ridicule. We Englishmen
appear a bit eccentric to Americans,
am fully aware, but nevertheless 1t
hurts at times when
He paused and looked at his plate in
deep confusion. Miss Harriet blushed
furiously. She had wounded her guest
unwittingly and was sincerely sorry.
Lord Croyland. she thought. was act
ing very nobly. In thus sacrificing him
self for the sake Of her foolish whims,
and she ought to have consulted him
first Of all. She made up her mind at
once and turned to him impulsively.
Lord Croyland," she said. Il beg
you to believe me when / say that
never thought for an instant of hold
ing you up to ridicule. Won't you for
give me? 1t was splendid of you to
agree, and-there-we won't have the
play at air.
But my dear Miss Renwyck," Rich
ard protested, II should feel frightful-
ly cut up If you abandoned 1t on my
account. DO go on with it. Perhaps
shan't be so jolly bad after all. r.
All four ladies Immediately took up
the cudgels against him until his polite
protests grew weaker and weaker.
finally subsiding in a suggestion that
relieved the situation from every point
of view.
"Why not have Mr.. Van der Awe do
smile directed at that young gentle
man. YOU'D do 1t splendidly, old
chap. and l shall be uncommonly
obliged to you"
Amid a chorus Of approval the voCng
lover accepted blushingly, = e Rich
ord NOT only fraad bimcalf of n bsta
full task, but became hero and a
genius in the eyes Of the entire party.
AS they passed out of the dining
room Cornelius plucked Richards
sleeve and whispered:
"See here; thought you said you
couldn't act?"
Cant" returned the Texan, with a
sly wink. THAT was what you Amer
leans call bluff, but II you let on I'll
wiring your neck"
The Earl Of Croyland pro tenn. pro-
ceeded to his rooms with the object
of arraying himself in certain riding
suit in the wardrobe of the Earl of
Croylsnd, In actu, which would have
made a COW puncher snort with dis
dain, but which Richard in his pres
ent state OF mind rather longed for.
Certainly he had no fault to find either
with his prototypes taste or tailor.
On entering his dressing room he was
greeted by sight which fairly took
his breath away, and he was not easily
surprised, either. In a corner opposite
the door stood handsome morris