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

VIGIL. ollC ASo w
men are holding the longest converse
ton l ever heard Of! They're stand
ing on Kennedy's corner, their
tongues going a mile a minute"
What are they talking about?"
/ asked Jackson a~nxiously. He very
much hoped his friend was, not in
really serious trouble as the reward
for having been his friend.
Il didn't get close enough to hear
what they said, but they're both wav-
ing their hands in the air and talk
ing-to beat the band!"
This worried Josie. There goes our
advertising!" Her voice vas wholly
gloomy.
Broadway nodded, quite as gloom
lily. Looks like It,"
Clara, by no means having lost her
interest, remained peering down the
street into the evening shadows after
her companions had turned away dis.
couraged. Here comes someone, any
way" she presently informed them.
by Jove! It's Rankin!" Broad
ways voice indicated his relief as he
observed that Rankin was alone. Evil
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. 1t was. as If he stood upon the
threshold of a new and startling free.
dom, but thus far had hesitated to
step definitely into it. Broadway re-
garded him almost with affection. No;
certainly; Mrs. Gerard was not with
him.
We'll, here l 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'" F..
What detained you?"
Rankin, looking at the young ladies.
did not at once reply in detail. 1t was
evident that there were some partic-
ulars to be divulged which he wished
Broadway's ears alone to hear. 1T
was necessary"
why didn't you send me some
word?"
II al exlpain all that"
Girls, will you xcuse u.s." Broad
way asked, and as they nodded went
slowly down upon the lawn with Ran
kin toward a clump OF cedars. It had
been planted in a circle, q favorite and
funereal form Of lawn decoration In
those ATTITUDES, and in the solemn
space inclosed 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
ingly exciting to them. But, after all.
they were 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 it's solitude Broad
way had to urge:
well, come on; what's the news?"
Surprising news, sir" Rankin an
swered hesitantly.
Broadway was all the more impa-
tient. We'll, 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
them"
'I-didn't leave her, sir. I've been
with her ever since"
Where is she now?' asked Broad
way timorously, 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. n
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. ~
won't see her! won't talk to her!"
But he's right outside the hedge,
sir. You must see her!"
q"