The Washington herald., 1909-10-17
CHAPTER XI-Continued.

OnhI 1Eh A1-OOUGluu6u.
And this Is the most amusing inter
cstirg and exciting thing 1 have heard
in all my life. Il might be difficult
ordinarily for me 10 forgive the wink,
but your explanation lifts it out of the
realm Of social improperly into the
sphere OF generous benevolence. And
if, after Colonel Giliingwater has gone
TO his reward, you should marry my
brother, l shall do all in my power to
make your life in our family happy in
every way"
Your brother does not seem particu-
lar proud OF his family connection"
said Jerry. He spoke OF you in the
most beautiful way. but he seems dis
tresscd by the actions of some Of the
others"
Mrs. Atchison sighed.
Tommy Is right about US. We are a
sad lot"
But he is very hard on the duke
Since ] came TO Ardsley his grace has
treated me with the greatest courtesy
and he has spoken TO me In the most
complimentary terms, RE is beyond ques-
ton a man Of kind heart, for he has
which had been in her family for four
hundred years"
ct should not hesitate 20 take the neck
lace. Jerry. II he really produces Il, for
my sister, his wife. has never had the
slightest glimpse Of II, and II is,
believe, in the hands OF certain English
trustees for the benefit Of the dukes
creditors. / dislike to spoil one of his
grace's pretty Illusions. but unless Mr.
Billings softens his heart a great deal
toward the duke I fear that you viii not
get the pearls this summer"
81 must tell you as my chaperon. Mrs.
Atchison. that the duke has already
offered TO elope with me- lie told me last
night as we were having our coffee on
the terrace. that he would gladly give
up his wife, meaning. I suppose. your
sister. end the Ardmore millions FOR me;
but while / think him fascinating 1 want
YOU 20 feel quite safe, for I promise you
] shall elope with no one while 1 am
your guest"
Mrs. Atchison's face had grown a little
white and she compressed her lips in
lines that were the least bit grim.
'The scoundrel,' she exclaimed half
under her breath TO think that he
would insult a child like you'll He is
hanging about US here i'm the hope OF
getting more money, while my poor SIS
Ter. his wife, Is in an English sanator.um
half crazed by his brutality. If Tommy
knew this he would undoubtedly kill
him."
THAT would be very unnecessary. a
duke, after all. Is something, and should
hate to have the poor man killed on my
account And besides, Mrs. Atchison. I
am perfectly able to take care Of myself."
Il believe you are. Jerry But it's
q terrible thing 10 have that beast about,
and I shall tell him tonight that he must
leave this place and the country"
But first" said Jerry. Il have an en-
gagement to ride with him after dinner
10 see the moon, and the opportunity
OF seeing a moon with a duke of ancient
family here on the sacred soil of North
Carolina, IS something that l can not
lightly put aside"
You can nOt-you must not co.
leave e TO me, said Jerry smiling
slightly: and ! promise YOU that the
duke viii never again insult an Ameri-
can girl And now 1 think ] must dress
FOR dinner
Sine rose and turned her eyes dreamily
10 the tower above, where the North
Carolina State flag tapped idly in the
breeze This silllen emblem with its
carried with her IN her trunk wherever
she travelled; and having noted Ards
ley's uuadorned flagstaff she had, with
her own hands, unfurled It, highly re-
solved that IL should remain until the
rightful governor returned to his own.
A few minutes later. as Mrs. AtchisOn
was reading the late mail in her sit
ting-roon. she took up a New York news
paper Of the day before and ran over
The headlines Lost: 4 governor" was
q caption that held her eye. and she read
q special dispatch dated Raleigh with
deepest interest. Gov Dangerfeld, the
item limited had not yet returned from
New Orleans. where he had gone to
attend the Cotton Planters Convention,
and where. moreover, he had quarTeled
with The governor Of South Carolina
The cowardly conduct Of both governors
IN dealing with the Appleweight band Of
outlaws was recited at length; and 1t
was also intimated that Gov. Dangerfield
was deliberately absenting himself from
his office TO avoid meeting sIuarey the
Appleweight issue.
Mrs. Atchison smiled 70 herself; then
she laughed merrily as she rang for her
maid.
Little Jerrys story seemed highly
plausible as she told &; and yet she
IS perfectly capable OF spinning romance
with that pretty mouth OF hers, particu-
larry when backed by those sweet and
serious blue eyes. Tommy and Jerry.
The combination is irresistible! II she
has really turned the State Of North
Carolina over 20 my little brother, some
thing unusual viii certainly happen be-
fore long"
And Mrs. Atchison was quite right In
her surmise, as we shall see.