Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-08-10
When the
Sheriff Failed

Copyright. 1919. by Associated Literary
Press.)


Old siade. who had been gardener
at the Fins for decade, gashed his
right hand on an old tomato can hid
den in the grass and had to carry that
arm In sling. There was work for
him to do. but ne he couldn't do II one
handed a helper was advertised for
and came down from the city.
The Elms was the home OF Ashton.
the broker. There were only two
others In the family-his wife and his
daughter Gertrude. That Miss Ger
trude was engaged to young Mr.. Da-
venport, the novelist. had not excited
the country TO any great extent. He
came down with the father every Sat
urday noon and remained over Sun.
day He had written many tale
where the lover was hero and the
girl heroine. and where romance
and adventure were thicker than rab-
bit tracks on the first winters snow.
but the course OF their true love had
been almost monotonous.
They hadn't even been attacked by
tering about the lawn. Theirs was a
gentle. everyday cooling. and neither
party suspected that an old tomato
can was going TO introduce thrills
and throbs.
Old Slade didn't like his helper. who
gave his name as Griggs. Griggs knew
his business. but no was vain and
conceited. He thought himself Don
Juan. He had read novels in which
chauffeurs. gardeners and stable boys
married the heiress OF the family. and
he was on the lookout for just such
financial transaction. 1t was his hint
TO Old Slade that he was going TO win
the heart OF Miss Gertrude Ashton
within thirty days that got the old man
down on him and made him rail out:
You let up on being conceited
fool and attend to your work. or you
won't last here day longer"
And then what does Miss Gertrude
do but find out and in spirit OF
mischief seem to encourage the hopes
and aims of Don Juan? Just like
nine girls out of ten. engaged or not.
She paraded around; she sighed; she
asked questions; she said she wished
-. and then turned her head away.
She twisted Don Juan into knots In
side OF four days. and II he ever
doubted the truth OF these novels he
came to believe In them now. A
shock awaited him Just around the
corner.
Griggs came on a Monday morning.
Mr.. Davenport did not come down the
following Saturday. Old slade could
have dropped . hint the first day
that Miss Gertrude was engaged. as
the matter was public property. but
he was suffering with his hand. and
then II wasn't his business to be
dropping hints. BY Friday OF the fol.
lowing week he decided to go to
hospital In the city and have his
hand treated. He would be gone four
or Ave days. and Griggs would have
charge.
That wasn't the shock Griggs was
to get. that was the glad hand.
With old Slade out OF the way there
must follow declarations OF love and
an elopement and marriage. One OF
the FIRST things he would do after
the couple had been forgiven and he
had been installed as the sole and
only son.in.law would be TO break
SHADES neck and discharge him with
a hal ha! During Saturday fore
noon he was too busy with the lawn
mower to declare his love. and short
ly after lunch Mr.. Ashton and the
lover arrived. The lover was greeted
with such cordially that Griggs went
TO the kitchen and asked the cook:
"Who 10 that jackanapes that came
down with the boss?"
What! You speak OF Mr.. Daven.
port in that manner" was exclaimed
Then who is Mr. Davenport"
Hes what they call the Ramsay
OF Miss Gertrude. and you'd better
look out what you say about him"
DO you mean they are engaged?"
Sure thing. Goiug TO be married
as soon as her aunt gets back from
Europe It's real love match"
Mr. Griggs' wobbling legs wobbled
him TO his room to sit down and
think things over. The cook was a
liar. Miss Gertrude was not in love
with Mr.. Davenport. He. Griggs. had
met up with several young ladies who
were in love. and they were not sigh.
Ing and looking friendless. II Miss
Gertrude were engaged. then she had
been forced into Il by a cruel father.
who was hard up for cash and was
selling her to Davenport. Or the lat.
ter young man had caught on TO
crime committed by the broker. and
was demanding his daughters hand
as the price OF silence.
When he left his room Griggs knew
lust what he would do II he got the
chance, and he felt that he was a man
10 whom chances came.
At IL o'clock that night Mr.. Daven.
port strolled In the grounds to smoke
a cigar before going TO his room.
AT about Ave minutes after the hour,