The Washington herald., 1909-10-08
CHAPTER v-Continued.

1HNntOueu Al tue secretary desk, a
mass of papers before her. Miss Geraldine
Dangerfeld awaited him. He was ready
to place his head on the block in sheoc
contrition for his conduct. but she her
self took the initiative, and her tone was
wholly amiable
This morning. Mr.. Ardmore-"
'Oh, please forget this morning. he
pleaded
But was rude TO you; 1 threatened to
have you thrown out Of the house; and
You had come to DO US a favor"
Miss Dangerheld. I cannot lie to you
You are one OF the most difficult persons
10 lie to that have ever met. didn't
come TO Raleigh just to warn your IA
Their that bis life was threatened. I can't
lie to you about that"
Then you are a spy?" and Miss DAN
gerleld started forward In her chair so
suddenly that Ardmore dropped his hat.
No! I am not a spy! ] don't care
anything about your father. 1 never
heard or him until yesterday"
We'll. I like that" CALCULATED Miss
Dangerheld.
''Oh. I mean that I wasn't interested
In him-why should I be? l don't know
anything about politics"
Neither does father That's why he's
governor. II he were a politician he'd
be a Senator But"-and she folded her
hands and eyed him searchingly-"here's
a lot Of kilograms from the sheriff OF
Dilwell County about that Jug How on
earth did you come to get it?"
Lied, Uf course ] allowed them to
think that was intimately associated In
business with the governor and they be-
gan passing me jugs. Then the man who
gave the jug with that message In the
cork got suspicious and I dropped the
buttermilk jug back 10 him."
You traded buttermilk for moon
sinner"
Il shouldn't exactly call It moonshine.
It's more Ike dynamite than anything
else. I've written reply 70 the note
and put 1t back In the cork, and I'm go
Ing 70 return II TO Kildare"
What answer DID you make 20 that
Infamous effort 20 intimidate my father2"
demanded Miss Dangerheld.
i told the Applewelght gang that they
are lot Of towards, and that the gov
ernor VIII have them all in jail or hanged
WITHIN ten days"
Splendid! Perfectly splendid! Did you
really say that?"
What else could I do? I knew that
that's what the governor would say-he'd
have to say it-so I thought I'd save him
the trouble"
where's the jug now, Mr.. Ardmorer'
In my room at the hotel. The gang
must have somebody on guard here A
gentleman who seemed 10 be one OF them
called on me this morning demanding the
jug; and II he's the man I think he IS.
he's stolen the little brown jug from my
room in the hotel by this time"
Miss Dangerheld had picked up
spool Of red tape and was unwlnding
It slowly IN her fingers and reminding
IL They were such nice little hands. and
80 peaceful In their aimless triaIng
with the tape that he was sure HIS eyes
had betrayed him into imagining she had
clenched them in the quiet drawing-room
at the mansion. This Office. now that fits
atmosphere enveloped him, was almost
rs domestic as the house in which she
lived The secretary had vanished. and
Sabbath quiet was on the place The
white inner shutters swung open. af-
fording charming prospect Of the trees.
the lawn, and the monument IN the park
outside. And, pleasantest OF all. and
most soothing 20 his weary senses. she
was tolerating him now; she had even
expressed approval OF something he had
She had not even pressed him 10 dis
close his real purpose in visiting Raleigh.
and he prayed that she would not return
20 this subject. for he had utterly lost
the conceit OF his own lying gift Miss
Dangerheld threw down the spool OF
tape and bent toward him gravely.
Mr.. ArdmOre, can you keep a secret2"
Nobody ever tried me with one. but I
think I can, Miss Dangerfeld,' he muir
INJURED humbly.
Then please stand up"
And ArdmOre rose. a little sheeplshly,
Ike a schoolboy who fears blame and
praise alike. Miss Dangerfield lifted one
Of the adorable hands solemnly
II. acting governor OF North Carolina.
hereby appoint you my private secretary,
and may God have mercy on your soul
You may now SIT down. Mr.. Secretary"
But I thought there was a secretary
already. And, besides I don't write a
very good hand" Ardmore stammered.
II am Just sending Mr.. Bassford to
Atlanta 10 find papa. He's already gone.
or will be pretty soon"
But I thought your father would be
home tonight"
Miss Dangerheld looked out Of the open
window upon the park. then into the
silent outer hall. to be sure she was not
overheard.
Papa will not be at home tonight. or
probably tomorrow night, or the night
afterward. I'm not sure Wen wait next
Christmas dinner for papa"
But, OF course, you know where he
Isl II isn't possible" and Ardmore
stared in astonlshment into Miss Danger
fields tranquil blue eyes
1T Is possible. Papa is ducking his
official responsibilities. That's what's the
matter with papa! And I guess they're
enough to drive any man into the woods.
Just look at all thisH'
Miss Dangerfeld rested one OF those
dimlnutive hands OF hers on the pile Of
documents letters, and kilograms the
secretary had left behind him. with a nod
OF the head she indicated the governors
desk IN the inner room. and II, too. was
piled high with documents.
Il supposed" falteTed Ardmore, that
IN the absence Of the governor the heu
tenant governor would act. think I
read that once"
you must have read II wrong. Mr.. Ard
more. In North Carolina, IN the absence
OF the governor. I am governor! Don't
look so shocked. When I say I. I mean
Incl Do you understand what I said?"
Il heard what you said, Miss Danger
field"
Il mean what 1 said, Mr.. Ardmore
have taken you into my confidence be-
cause I don't know you. ! don't know
anything about you. don't want 10
know anything about you. I'd be ashamed
20 ask anybody l know TO help me. The
people Of North Carolina must never
know that the governor Is absent during
times Of great public peril. And If you
are afraid. Mr.. Ardmore, you had better
not accept the position"
There's nothing that wouldn't do for
YOU" blurted Ardmore.
I'm not asking you'll would not ask
you-to do anything for me. I am asking
YOU TO do II for the Old North State.