Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-10-07
CHAPTER ~.

CHAPTER ~.
Society Bursts Upon Mr.. 0ormly.
Enter ct last. Miss Haldane. accom-
panied By her father, her mother, her
brOkher, Mss Louise Van Week Stew
art fone.of her intimate friends and q
possible sister4n.lsw). Dr.. Warren
sDevsaux "a retired physician. an old
bachelor and an old and intimate
friend Of the fanily) The newcomers
were all dressed in winter automobile
garments It was young Haldane who
broke the somewhat awkward pause
consequent upon their entrance.
"Mr. Goodrich" he began unbutton-
! ing his coat and slipping Il on az he
advanced
Your pardon. SIR" said Gormly.
but Mr.. Goodrich IL no longer the
owner Of this place"
why. Mr.. Gormly." burst out Miss
Haldane impetuously, as she turned at
his voice and recognized him, this is
q great surprise! We didn't know
that you were to be one Of our neigh
bors."
She had been in the background
and had not observed their host until
she heard him speek AS she spoke.
she stepped forward impulsively with
outstretched hand.
Eleanor" exclaimed her father in
great surprise. surveying Gormly as
he spoke, with . stare as cold as the
winter weather, do you-ah-know
this gentleman?"
Certainly do" returned the girl.
1T is Mr.. George Gormly Of the Corn
ly store. you know"
"Ah, indeed" began her father.
II have known him for" she
paused uncertainty.
Seven months yesterday, Miss Hal.
dane" answered Gormly. who was
nothing II not accurate.
I'VE have-er-bought things at
your shop for a longer time than
that. I fancy" here interposed Mrs.
Haldane vaguely with an air OF great
condescension.
You have been on my books.
madam. a. one of my most valued
customers ever since moved to
Broadway twenty-one years ago" re-
turned Gormly. who was by no means
ashamed Of his business, else he would
not have continued in It.
"Yes." said Haldane At this juncture,
II have been making out checks with
monotonous regularity to your firm
ever since"
NY good man" began Mrs. Hal
dane still somewhat vaguely. and evi-
IDENTIFY rather 1t loss how to place
this irfeproacAably clad aud fine ap-
pearing sentlsnAA who had soiled his
hands With trade and yet did not seem
TO be ct all embarrassed or ashamed
Of 1t.
"Mother!" exclaimed the daughter.
blushing with vexation. "Mr Comfy.
forgive me. forgot that you did not
know my family"
Il have seen them often in the
store. Miss Haldane. and have even
waited upon some OF them in other
days myself" replied Gormly, quite az
cold and formal in his manner as any
one in the room.
Nevertheless want the pleasure
Of presenting you to my mother. Mr..
George Gormly, mother. my very good
friend"
Mrs. Haldane drew herself up.
Gormly bowed himself down In bow
most carefully calculated to express a
proper degree of appreciation of the
honor and nothing more
!! my friend. Miss Stewart; my To-
Their. and my brother. Mr.. Livingstone
Haldane: DR.. Deveaux"
The persons mentioned bowed cool
~. except that Livingstone Haldane
Infused little moro cordially in his
recognition than the others did, while
;Dr. Deveaux actually stepped forward
and extended his hsAd.
my dear SIR" he said genially, his
old face beaming with good nature
and genuine admiration, Il am de-
lighted to have tho privilege OF
shaking you BY the hand. Anybody
who has the courage to attack the
Gotham Freight Erection company az
you have dopo in the papers may be
| It Is an honor to know"
THANK you." said Gormly, grateful
for this recognition.
CIR" began Haldane, ian unfor
tansts accident to our machine has
thrown us upon your hospitality. die
not know that my friend Goodrich had
sold this place or"
! Let that give you no concern, SIR
answered Gornly: II pray that 20.
will consider the place and all in II
~ your own. beg you will take of
your wraps and make yourselves en-
| tfrely at home"
That's very handsome of you, am
sure" continued the elder Haldane
slowly rsnoving bis coat; but my
own place lies but six miles beyond
here. and II you will permit us to tele
phone my stables. I think we shall
have to trouble you but little"
"Yhe telephone IL In the library
yopder. Mr.. Haidane. and is at you,
service ~ II everything in the house
regret that my own stables are not
yet furnished. Tho small station
wagon and pair which brought you VI
arc the only horses have on the
place Jhst now"
ARD jolly. well crowded We were.'
said young Haldane.
II Meanwhile" continued Gormly
"ney I ask have you had dinner7 Car