The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-07-09
CHAPTER VI.
EASY PREr.

USUALLY when man through
inclination or environment de-
w cides that the manners of his
people will not serve for him
and that the customs of the land OF
his adoption nre more applicable to hia
purpose he outdoes even the natives
In his conformation to the existing
nodes
Horace Granger-Simpson-the Gran
ger was but recent innovation due to
the belief that Simpson by itself wus
altogether too hopelessly plebeian to
attract even modicum Of attention
had consorted with the gilded youth
OF several capitals. and his education
had progressed to such an extent thar
the youth Of Kokomo would have
stoned him instantly upon his arrival
at the town depot
He ambled with a rocking gait,
drawn from the guardsmen he had 50
carefully watched, down the steps or
the hotel on to the terrace, and his
attire would have attracted notice from
Hindoo idol. He wore spotlessly
white nannels. white shoes pipeclayed
to dazzling degree, a thoroughly
British straw hat, channels gloves ana
a pale blue scarf held together with q
massive pearl.
For nm instant Nine. Ia Comtesse
looked at him and then, with a little
cry Of greeting. rushed toward the
steps and took both his stnrtled hands.
"Ah, my dea- Horace Granger
Seempson.' she said excitedly. HAS
your sister told your
Horace swallowed once or twice
savagely and then made a heroic eff
fort to keep down the radiance that
was choking him. made two effectual
dabs at his eyes with the handkerchief
he took from his sleeve and responded
Joyfully. though brokenly:
She has. indeed. assure you l am
quite overcome, my dear friends
Really, assure you"
With silvery laugh Nine. de Cham
pigny stepped backward from him.
making little courtesy as she did SO.
The earl came forward with out
stretched hands and grasped one Of
Horace's between both his own.
My dear young friend" he said.
Not at all-not at ALL"
AS the remark seemed q tribe am
biguous, Horace looked ut him inquir-
ingly, but, reading reinsurance In his
face, replied instantly:
Il assure you l am. assure you
am. It's quite overpowering, isn't 1t y
With look of commiseration the
countess regarded him and said softly:
'Ah, poor NJ. Horacer'
From his sprawled attitude In the
chair the honorable Almeric drawled
q protest.
Il say! Don't take 1t that way, you
know She's very happy"
Horace recovered himself Instantly
and crossed the terrace quickly to
grasp the hand Of the bridegroom to
be. The fact that it was as limp as a
mackerel did not worry him an instant
Shes worthy Of fishes worthy Of
1t! know she is! And when will 1t
be. ST. AubynY' he said.
"Enchantingw cried the countess en-
Enthusiastically. $50 clear is his grasp
of the case. eh p
Hawcast!e flashed her glance and
turned to Horace.
"Oh. the date?" he said doubtfully.
u dare say within year-two
years.
There was another little cry of pro-
test from the countess, and the earl
glared at her menacingly. Horace
started. too, and seemed to be about
to enter positive objection, but he
contented himself with saying:
"Oh, but say, you know, isn't
that putting 1t jolly far off? The
things settled, isn't it7 Why not say
month instead Of a year?"
"Ha-hum!" said the earl. "Oh, IL
You like! don't know that there is
any real objection
II do, indeed" returned Horace.
"See here! Why not let them marry
here in Itnly?"
Hawcastle could scarcely conceal his
satisfaction. while Mme de Cham
pigny executed a bit of pas seul be-
hind Horaces back.
"Ah, the dashing methods Of you
Americans! returned the earl smil-
ingly. You carry things on so! Next
you'll be saying. Why not here at Sor-
rentoY"
We'll. and why not, indeedy' asked
Horace instantly.
And then" went on Hawcastle,
smiling. land then it will be. why not
within fortnightT"
"Right-ov' cried Horace. And why
not within fortnight?"
Almeric sat up and stared at his no
Bile father and brother-in-law to be.
but the earl smiled once more that
cheerful smile and waved deprecat-
ing hand.
'Ah. you wonderful people! You are
whirlwinds. yet see no reason why
1t should not be In a fortnight
"Oh, here! | say, you know!" inter-
jected Almeric. heaving himself erect
In the chair and waving a protesting
crop. The earl turned on him In
stnntly.
"As say, dear boy. why notw he