The Irish standard., 1910-02-19
pie sometimes do know governors and

find it useful"
I'm not in politics any more, Mr..
Billings. What's this persons name?"
"Dangerfield. Don't you ever read
the newspapers" demanded the sec.
rotary, striving to control his inner
rage.
mo; quit reading newspapers aft.
er the noble duke of Ballywinkle
didn't break the bank at Monte Carlo
that last time"
You mustn't be 50 thin-skinned.
You pay the penalty Of belonging to
one of the wealthiest families In
America" and Billings tone was pa.
ternal.
80 I've heard, but I'm not so ter
ribly proud Of It. What about this
GOVERNOR"
That's what troubles me-what of
the GOVERNOR" Billings dropped his
voice so that no one but Ardmor.
could hear. Hes missing-disap.
peared."
That's the first interesting thing
ever heard of a governor doing,'
said Ardmore. TELL me more"
He's had row with the governor
Of South Carolina at New Orleans. I
! was to have met him here on an i'm.
portant matter Of business this after
noon, but he's cleared out and nobody
knows what's become OF him His
daughter, even, who was in New Or.
leans with him, doesn't know where
he is."
"Ah! the daughter! She remains
behind to guard his retreat"
The daughter is still here She's
peppery little piece and Billings
looked guardedly around the room.
That's she, alone over there in the
corner-the girl with the white feath-
er in her hat who's just signing her
check. There-she's getting up!"
Ardmore gazed across the room In
tently, then suddenly slight smile
played about his lips. To gain the
door the girl must pass by his table,
and he scrutinized her closely as she
drew near and passed. She was lit
tie girl. and her light fluffy hair swept
out from under small blue hat in a
shell-like curve, and the short skirt
of her tailor.made gown robbed her,
1t seemed. of years to which the CAL
endar might entitle her.
She gave me the steadiest eye I
ever looked into when asked her
where her father had gone" remarked
Billings grimly as the girl passed.
she said she thought he'd gone fish
ing for whales
so she's Miss Dangerfleld, is she?"
asked Ardmore indifferently; and he
rose, leaving on the plate, by sud.
den impulse Of good feeling toward
the world, exactly double the gener-
GUS tip he had intended giving. Bill
ings was glad to be rid of Ardmore
and they parted in the hotel lobby
without waste of words.
Ardmore's effects had been brought
down and we're already piled on q
carriage at the door. In his pocket
was his passage to New Orleans and
stateroom ticket. At the cashiers
desk Miss Dangerneld paid her bill,
just ahead of him.
IF any kilograms come for my IA
Their please forward them to Raleigh"
said the girl. The manager came out
personally to show her to her car
rfage, and having shut the door upon
her, he wished Ardmore, who stood
discreetly by, safe journey.
"Off for New Orleans, are you, Mr..
Ardmore?" asked the manager courte.
ously.
NO" said Ardmore, I'm going to
Raleigh to look at the tall buildings"
whereat the manager returned to his
duties. gravely shaking his head
At the station Ardmore caught sight
Of Miss Dangerfield. attended by
two porters, hurrying toward the Tar
Heel express, He bought a ticket
to Raleigh, and secured the last avail.
able berth from the conductor on the
platform Mt the moment Of departure
Ardmore did not like to be hurried.
and thus sudden change Of plans had
been almost too much for him, but
he was consoled by the reflection that
after all these years of waiting for
Just such an adventure he had proved
himself equal to an emergency that
required quick thought and swift ac'
ton. He had not only found the girl
with the playful eye, but he had
learned her identity without, as 1t
were, turning over his hand.
The staterOom door stood open, and
from his seat at the farther end of
the car Ardmore caught fleeting
glimpse of Miss Dangerfield as she
threw Off her jacket and hat; then
she summoned the porter, give him
her tickets bade him smiling good
night and the door closed upon her
Ardlnore went back to smoke and
plan his future movements. For the
first time in his life he faced to-mor.
row with eager anticipations, resolved
that nothing should thwart his high
resolves, though these, to be sure
Observation-Disclosures aOD]V]1 Rl1lI3B |NgAK NM