The Bottineau courant., 1910-02-11
Unaware That Miss DangerffeId
Passed Directly Behind Him.


ike to see you for a minute. She's
1T the governors Office"
A prisoner, sentenced to death, and
Unexpectedly reprieved with the rope
already on his neck, could not ex-
perience greater relief than that
which brought Mr.. Thomas Ardmore
to his feet.
"You are sure Of it--that there's no
mistaken"
Certainly not. Miss Dangerfield
told me was to bring you back"
Enthroned at the secretary's desk, a
mass of papers before her, Miss Ger
aldine Dangerf1eld awaited him. He
was ready to place his head on the
block in sheer contrition for his con-
duct, but she herself took the initia-
tive, and her tone was wholly amiable.
"This morning, Mr.. Ardmore-''
"Oh, please forget this morning!"
he pleaded.
"But was rude to you; I threaten
ed to have you thrown out of the
house; and you had come to do us a
favor. You traded buttermilk for
moonshine?' ?''
II shouldn't exactly call it moon
shine. It's more like dynamite than
anything else. I've written reply to
the note and put it back in the cork,
and I'm going to return it to Kildare" !"
what answer did you make to that
Infamous effort to intimidate my "a
ther?" demanded Miss Dangerfield.
II told the Appleweight gang that
they were a lot Of towards, and that
the governor will have them all in
jail or hanged within ten days."
Splendid! Perfectly splendid! Did
you really say that?"
what else could do? 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.. Ard
more?"
"In my room at the hotel. The gang
must have somebody on guard here.
A gentleman who seemed to be one
Of them called on me this morning,
demanding the jug: and If he's the
man think he is, he's stolen the little
brown Jug from my room IN the hotel
by this time"
Miss Dangerfeld had picked up a
spool Of red tape and was unwinding
It. They were such nice little hands,
and so peaceful In their aimless
trihing with the tape that he was
sure his eyes had betrayed him into
imagining che had clenched them in the
quiet drawing-room at the mansion.
This office. now that its atmosphere
enveloped him, was almost as domes-
tic as the house In which she lived.
Miss Dangerfield threw down the spool
Of tape and bent toward him gravely.
'Mr. Ardmore, can you keep se-
cretf''
Nobody ever tried me with one,
but think can, Miss Dangerfield, ?
ne murmured humbly.
Then please stand up
~ And Ardmore rose, "a little sheepish-
", like 9 schonlboy who fears blame
and praise alike. Miss Dangerfleld
lifted one Of the adorable hands sol
i emnly. N. 83 u f#
''I, acting governor Of North Caro-
!, lima, hereby appoint you my private
secretary, and may God have mercy
on your soul. You may now sit down.
Mr.. Secretary. = .s9 5Ss3,
s'But thought there was secre-
tary already. And besides, / don't
write very good hand" Ardmore
stammered.
81 am just sending Mr.. Bassford to
Atlanta to md papa. He's already
gone, Or will be pretty soon.
'.But i thought your father would
ne home to-night" s
Miss Dang gerheld looked out Of the
open window upon the park, then into
the silent outer hall, 10 be sure she
Eas not overheard
ana VIII not bes at home tonight.
g probably morrow night er the
t aftelfltws 81 a. IN not siare We'll