The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-04-03

- sAO Ao4y u VA0OWt
Unfortunately, yes"
80 that's the nest Dan has got into
at Osdene," the Wes.erner said. And
Galorey answered: THAT Is the nest"
"And he has gone out there today
got wire this morning.
"The duchess has been in an awful
funk" said Galorey, because Dams
been stopping in London so long. She
sent him q message, and as soon as
Dan wired back that he was coming to
the Park. I decided to come here and
see you
Ruggles ruminated: HAS the
duchess complications fipancially?"
"Ra-ther!" the other answered.
And Ruggles turned his broad, hon.
est face full on Galorey: do you
think she could be bought OIL"
Galorey took his pipe out of his
mouth.
ut depends on how far Dan has
gone on with her. To be frank with
you. Mr.. Ruggles. It Is q case Of emo
ton on the part Of the woman. She
is really In love with Dan. Gad!" ex.
claimed tho nobleman. IT have been
on the point of turning the whole
brood out Of doors these last days. II
~as like 1mprisonlng mountain
breeze In a charnel house-a woman
with her scars and her experience and
that boy-I don't know where you've
kept him or how you kept him as he
Is, but he Is as clear as water. !
have talked to him and 1 know"
Nothing in Ruggles' expression had
changed until now. His eyes glowed.
Dams all right" he said softly.
Don't you worry! He's all right. ]
guess his father knew what he was
doing. and I'll bet the whole thing was
just what he sent him over hero for!
Old Dan Blair wasn't worth q COD
per when the boy was born, and yet
he had ideas about everything and he
seemed to know more in that old gray
head Of his than whole library of
books, Dams all right"
lily dear man." said the noble
man, that II just where you Amert
cans are wrong. You comfort your
self with your eternal Dams all right
and you won't see the truth. You
won't breathe the word scandal and
yet you are thick enough In them, God
knows. You won't admit them, but
they are there. Now be honest and
look at the truth. will you? You are q
man OF common sense. Dan Blair ie
not all right. He Is In IN Internally
dangerous poeition. TIE Duchess OF
Breakwater will marry him. It is
what she has wanted 10 do for years,
but she has not found a man rich
enough. and she will marry this boy
offhand."
WELL" said the Westerner slowly,
II he loves her and II he marriea
ber-"
"Marries her!" exclaimed the noble
man. There you are again! Do you
think marriage makes 1t any better!
Why. II she went of to the Continen,
with him for six weeks and then SET
him free. that would be preferable
to marrying her. My dear man." he
said. leaning over the table where
Ruggles sat, IF I had a boy I would
rather have him marry Lefty Lane OF
the Gaiety. Now you know what
mean"
Ruggles' face. which had hardened
relaxed.
Il have seen that lady," he ex-
claimed with satisfaction; 81 have
seen her several times"
Galorey sank back into his chair
and neither man spoke for a few sec
onds. Turning 1t all over in his slow
mind, Ruggles remembered Dams alb
sorption In the last few days. 80
there are three women In the nest"
he concluded thoughtfully, and Gordon
Galorey repeated:
mo. not three. What do you
mean?"
Your wife"-Ruggles held up one
finger and Galorey interrupted him to
murmur:
I'll take care of Edith"
The Duchess of Breakwater you
think won't talk Of money!"
No. don't count on IT, She is aim.
Ing at ten million pounds"
Ruggles was holding up his second
dnger.
Well. guess Dan has gone oil, to
take care of her today"
Dan and Ruggles had seen "Manda-
lay from a box, from the pit and from
the stalls. On the table lay book
OF tho opera. While talking with
Galorey, Ruggles had unconsclously
arranged the checks on top of the II.
bretto OF "Mandalay"
TIL take care of Miss Lane" Rug
giles said at length.
Ills lordship echoed. Miss Lane?"
and looked up I'm surprise. What Miss
Lane. for Gods sake"
Miss Lefty Lane ut the Gaiety."