Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-02-19


much hoped his friend was not II
really serious trouble as the reward
for having been his. friend.
4 didn't get close enough to hear
what they said, but they're both way.
ing their hands In the air and talk
ing-to beat the band!"
This worried Josie. There goes our
advertising." Her voice was 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 ERd turned away dis
couraged. Here comes someone, any
way" she presently informed them.
by Jovei It's Rankin!" Broad
ways voice indicated his relief as he
observed that Rankin was alone. Evi-
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. Mo-.
certainly; Mrs. Gerard was not with
him.
We'll, here I am" the erstwhile
perfect serving man announced. Il
suppose you thought you we're never
going to see me again"
Hello, Rankin. When did you get
in?"
Just now. rye a great deal to tell
you. MI. Jones"
What detained your
Rankin, looking at the young ladies.
did not at once reply in detail. It was
evident that there were some partic-
ulars to be diyulged which he wished
Broadway's ears alone to hear. ct
was necessary"
Why didn't you send me some
word?"
Il a exlpain all 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. It had
been planted in a circle, a 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
Ito 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:
We'll, come on; what's the news?"
Surprising news, sir" Rankin an
swered h~esitantly.
Broadway was all the more impa-
tient. Well, tell me; tell me! What
did she say? How did you get rid of
her?'
II didn't get rid Of her, SIR"
What? Where did you leave her
then?"
'T-didn't leave her, sir. I've beer
with her ever since"
Where is she now?' asked Broad
: way timorously, his voice weakening.
! She's here, sir"
THIS was terrif1cally shocking. The
worst lad come to pass then-those
! fears which were so bad that they
had ben put aside as utterly unthfnk-
able. "She came back with your"
There was a look of horror on the face
|! IF JACKSON Jones.
! "Yea, sir"
! His masters wrath rose. "You idiot!
! What DID you let her do that for?"
Rankin spoke slowly and reluctant
=. "She insisted that she must see
| Eau and talk with you, sir"
Now rose a soul in wild revolt. ST
won't e her! l won't talk to her!"
But she's right outside the hedge,
sir. You must see her!"
! 81"
| "On, she's perfectly reconciled, sir;
D0ll0V0 me
Here vas a shock as pleasant as
the other had been terrible. It was
; almost too good to be true. Recon
ciled! You meal she understands
that T."
"oh, yes, sir. She's already sent
put 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?
Eyes, sir" Now Rankin once more
kesitated. In the form. sir, of-er-
another announcement.
This nearly stunned his master.
"You NEAR she's engaged to someone
! else2"
YES, sir; she's going to marry the
| nar1 re TortIop10 @f-L