The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-05-27

'NS
the other had been terrible. 1t was
almost too good to be true. Recon
ci1~'i You mean she understands
It L"
oh, yes, sir. She's already sent
out a denial of her engagement to
YOU"
His hearer could have rent the air
with shouts of Joy, but did not. He
only asked namely: Has she?"
YES, sir" Now Rankin once more
h~esitated. In the form, sir, of-er-
another announcement"
This nearly stunned his master.
you mean she's engaged to someone
else"
Yes, sir; she's going to marry the
earl of Cortland"
The recently harassed youth bright
ened. Was life to be entirely smooth
and joyous after all, instead Of only
partly merry, with the balance turned
into a tragedy by his ancient Sweet
heart. .dearie?" The earl Of Cort-
land!" he exclaimed.
Eyes, sir; will you see her, sir? /
think it's best for all concerned"
You're sure, are you? It's not a
dream, or anything like that? She
isn't trying to trap me?"
mo, sir. May l ask her to come in?
She's just behind the hedge"
did Bob see herr"
mo; he was so busy talking with
his father, sir, that he did not recog-
nize us as we passed. Seems to be
most earnest, sir, his father"
Rankin, if you're certain, bring her
in. But if"
I'm quite certain, sir"
Jackson waited for them e. the
entrance to the verdant circle. He
thought 1t better not to go back to
the house. Even if the lady was quite
reconciled there still might be some
details of her conversation which he
would not care to have heard by the
girls-especially n Of the girls.
Almost Immediately Rankin re-
turned with Mrs. Gerard, not only
walking by his side, but clinging to
his arm. Her voice did not sound
warlike as she greeted Broadway.
How do you do, Jackson?" she said
quietly.
How do you do, Mrs. Gerard?"
Has Rankin told you?"
YES. Mrs. Gerard; Rankin has told
me-"
She really seemed very much upset,
but not belligerently so. "Pd never
be happy If New York should imagine
I'd been Tilted, or the subject OF a
practical JOKE" she began simply. my
excuse for throwing you over is a very
good one-my engagement to the earl
of Cortland"
He bowed. too puzzled to find any
words. ...
After a few hours talk with Ran
kin I became convinced that a mar
rage between you and M never would
have been a happy one"
Again Broadway nodded. He could
quite agree with that.
Hence my decision to marry the
earl" She went closer to him almost
pleadingly. "Ive played fair with you,
Jackson; now l want you to do the
same by me" .-.t
"Tll do anything you ask" he fer,
vently assured her. Anything with
in reason, Mrs. Gerard.
"All I ask is that you keep my
secret" ~. 49,. e..
II will. What is it,"
"You really don't know"
mo, Mrs. Gerard" .
After another tiny hesitation she
held out her hand to Rankin. May I
present the earl of Cortland? ?" she
said, leading the abashed butler for
ward.
What" Broadway was astonished
almost to the point of physical col
lapse.
"It's true" she went on gravely.
We've had a thorough understanding,
and Rankin has agreed to become an
earl"
Again ~Broadway's surprise was al
most more than he could quietly sup
port.
ooh, don't be astonished! It's my
only protection. Have l your solemn
promise that you'll not divulge the Sc
| cret?"
81 give you my word of honor" he
said %fervently.
Every we'll. Goodby!"
He earnestly shook hands with her.
"Goodby, Mrs. Gerard. l hope you
i will be very happy"
1T isn't a question of happiness,
Jackson" she said slowly, and in. a
way that somewhat worried him. 81
simply don't want to be Inundated.
You understand"
Eyes; I understand, Mrs. Gerard"
She turned to the earl of Cortland.
Shake hands with Mr.. Jones, Ran
kin"
Jackson pulled him to one side, al
most Indignantly. "See here, Rankin,
do you mean to tell me that you'd do
such a mean contemplate thing as
to marry a woman deliberately for her
money!"
Eyes, sir" said Rankin very gravely,
"and thank you, sir, for the opportu-
nifty"
Come, ~earlie," Mrs. Gerard called
softly.
Eyes, Beatrice" He dropped the
hand of his erstwhile employer and
took the arm Of hia af3ancod u;fo