Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-01-27

almos! forgotten all about HIM no
cooily sem in his card to me at the
Ike ;utive mansion in Raleigh. And l
was very harsh with him when
learned who he was; for you know
the Ardmore estate owns a lot OF
North Carolina bonds that are due on
the first of June, and Mr.. Billings a
been chasing papa all over the coun'
try to know whether they VIII Pe
paid; and ] supposed OF course your
brother was looking for papa, TOO, 10
annoy him about some mere detah Oh
that bond business, for the state treas
urer. who does not love papa,
gone away fishing and Mr.. Billings Is
perfectly wild"
"Delicious," exclaimed Mrs. Atchison.
Perfectly delicious! May ! call you
Jerry? Thank you, dear. Let me Tell
you that i am 80 and you are?
Seventeen" supplied Jerry.
And this is the most amusing. IN
teresting and exciting thing have
heard in all my life. 1t might be dlt'
ficult ordinarily for me to forgive the
wink, but your explanation lifts 1T out
of the realm of social Improperly
into the sphere of generous beneVo'
lence.'
Your brother Toes not seem par
ticularly proud of his family connec
ton" said Jerry. Gle spoke or you
in the most beautiful a but ne
seems distressed by h 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 l came to Ardsley his grace has
treated me with the greatest courtesy,
and he has spoken to me in the mos
complimentary terms. He is beyon'
question a mar of kind heart, for ne
has promised me his mothers peaN
necklace, which had been in her am
lily for 400 years"
Il should not hesitate to take the
necklace, Jerry, if he really produces
it, for my sister, his wife, has never
had the slightest glimpse of 1T, and it
is, ! believe, in the hands of certain
English trustees for the benefit OF the
dukes creditors. I dislike to spoil
one of his grace's pretty Illusions. bu
unless Mr.. Billings softens his heart
a great, deal toward the duke Teal
that you will not get the pearls this
summer"
II must tell you as my chaperon,
Mrs. Atchison, that the duke has al
ready offered to elope with me. He
told me last night as we were having
N,Jv 1offAo m fhn forropo that he
would gladly give Up his wife, mean
ing, / suppose, your sister, and the
Ardmore millions for me; but while
think him Fascinating l want you to
feel quite safe, for / promise you !,
elope with no n while l am
your guest"
Mrs. Atchison's face had grown a
little white and she compressed her
lips in lines hat were the least bit
grim.
1.-THE scoundrel!" she exclaimed
under her breath. ITO think that
would insult a child like you! He
is hanging about us here in the hope
of getting more money, while my poor
sister, his wife, is in an English san
half crazed by his brutality.
If Tommy knew this he would un-
doubtedly kill him!"
'That would be very unnecessary.
A duke, after all, is something, and
hate to have the poor man kill
ed on my account. And besides, Mrs.
Atchison, l am perfectly able to take
care of myself"
II believe you are, Jerry. But it's
4 terrible thing to have that beast
about, and I shall tell him tonight
hat he must leave this place and the
country"
But first" said Jerry, II have an
Engagement to ride with him after din
Ter to see the moon, and the oppor-
unity of seeing a o with a duke OF
family, here on the sacred
;oil of North Carolina, is something
hat l cannot lightly put aside"
You cannot-vou must not go!'
Leave it to me- said Jerry, smil-
slightly; land l promise you that
duke will never again insult an
American girl. And now ! think
must dress for dinner"
CHAPTER XII.