The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-02-11
Copyright, 1913, by G. w. Dillingham; Company

IDENTIFY he had followed orders and
lost" Mrs. Gerard.
There had come into the buffers
appearance an indefinable change. He
had not ceased to be a butler, but he
had ceased to be the very perfect but.
Ter which he always had been In the
past. It was as IL he stood upon the
threshold of a new and startling free.
dom, but thus far had hesitated to
step definitely into 1t. Broadway re-
garded him almost with affection. No;
certainly; Mrs. Gerard was not with
him.
Well, here / am" the erstwhile
perfect serving man announced. II
suppose o thought you were never
going to see me again"
Hello, Rankin. When did you get
in?"
Just now I've a great deal to tell
you, Mr.. Jones'"
What detained your"
Rankin, looking at the young ladies,
did not at once reply In detail. II was
evident that there were some partic-
ulars to be divulged which he wished
B~roadway's ears alone to hear. TT
was necessary"
Why didn't you send me some
word?"
Il a exlpain al. that"
Girls. will you excuse us? ?" Broad
way asked. and as they nodded went
slowly down upon the lawn with Ran.
kin toward a clump of cedars. II had
been planted in a circle, a favorite and
tunereal form of lawn decoration In
those attitudes, and In the solemn
space Enclosed there was, he knew, a
garden seat. Just a few moments"
broadway pleaded as he went with
Rankin toward this deep ~seclusion.
Then I'll walk home with you"
All right" Curiosity consumed
the maidens. All this seemed exceed
lngly exciting to them. But, after all,
they We're not sorry for an opportunity
to talk alone for a moment.
Broadway was very anxious, but
Rankin said no word until they were
within the leafy chamber. Even after
they had reached its solitude Broad
way had to urge:
We'll, come on; what's the news? %
Surprising news, SIR" Rankin an
swered hesitantly.
broadway was all the more impa-
tent. Well. tell me; tell me! What
did she say? How did you get rid of
herr"
Il didn't get rid of her, sir"
What? Where did you leave her
then?"
didn't leave her, sir. I've been
with her ever since"
Where is she now?" asked Broad
way t~imoroasly. his voice weakening.
She's here, sir
This was terrifically shocking. The
worst had come to pass then-those
fears which were SO bad that they
had been put aside as utterly unthink-
able. "She came back with your
There was a look of horror on the face
OF Jackson Jones.
yes, sir"
His masters wrath rose. "You idiot!
What did you let her do that for"
Rankin spoke slowly. and reluctant
ly. she insisted that she must see
you and talk with you, sir"
Now rose a soul in wild revolt. 81
'won't see her! | won't talk to her!'
But she's right outside the hedge,
sir. You must see her!"
e."
"oh, she's perfectly reconciled, sir;
believe me-"
Here was a shock as pleasant as
the other had been terrible. It was
almost too good to be true. Recon
ciled! You mean she understands
that T."
"Oh, yes, sir. She's already sent
out q 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
hesitated. 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 q tragedy by his ancient Sweet
heart, dearie?" THE earl OF Cort.
landi" he exclaimed.
Yes, sir; will you zee her. sirf I
think it's best for all concerned"
You're sure, are you? It's not .
dream, or anything like that? She
isn't trying to trap met"
No. sir. May I ask her to come in ?
She's just behind the hedge"
did Bob see herr"
NO; he raj DO busy talking with
his father. sir, that he did not recos
nice us - We passed. Seems 70 be
most earnest, sir. his father"
rankin, II you're certain, bring her
A. MT No.
I'm quite certain. s1r.s
-Jnaka0A MAifAk- 1ak tham ~