The Glenwood post., 1914-04-25

Rankin spoke slowly and reluctant
iy. She insisted that she nnst see
you and talk with you. sir"
Now rose a soil in wild Fevoat. Il
won't see her! I won't talk 70 Mari"
But she's right outside ths hedSe.
sir. You must see her."
-"
"oh. she's perfectly rscsanilaA, sir;
believe me-"
Here was . shock y paaAannt -
the other had been tesriblA h vas
almost too good to - trus. .Deooa-
ciled! You mean shs anAssuGa.As
that -
oh. yes. cir. sAs's a6aaAy ss.t
cut . -dsaial q hsr sa0AOsoaak 70
Sos-"
His h.aesr essld hsvS Sso6-1hs cir
with shouts Of 10y. ~ ~ ~. He
oalE asked namely: -tAa1 sAssss :
...Xss. eir." Nov Raahin soss nsss
heai1st>d. Ia the fosa. -. se-~-
aAother. annosncemsAt- -. =.
This nearly stunned ~. Qastsr.
You paas she's sasass4 = sSossss'
Yes. sir: she's soias - aarfS -
earl - Cortland"
The receatly harasssA tsotA blsaAt-
easA Was life to be so&ieely ApaeGh
and Joyous after all. tasteal G. sally
partly merry, with the la1bsoa nepsd
into . tragedy by hts xKl5sat. SSet-
hs&it,, tS1rie?" "Ths-1ifl q WH:
hnd!" - exclaimed -. S'ss
: .'Yss.. air; viii you - ~. s0ko- I,
think it's best for all ceaoamaA. ~,
You're sure. are yol! It's net .
dream. or anything like that! Dhs
isn't trying to trap me?'
NE, str May ask her 70 oons u?
Shes just behind the haAes."
DID Bob see herr
No: he Vas % busy talking vsth
his father. sir. that he ~ nst Roasg.
niss ~ - We pasee<. O0a0s 70 -
most earnest. sir. his iathse."
Rankin, II yoa'rs certain. bsiag har
in. Bat If"
tn quite certain. sir."
Jaeksoa waited for thAu nsar ~
eatrancs to the vsr1aat cireis. Hs
thought 1t better .ot to % back y
the house. Even II tie laiy vas quaes
rsconcilsd thsre still migat - ssos
details Of her conversation whit.A -
would not care to have hsard W tAs
giris-especially one oe tAs giris.
Almost Immediately Rankin -
turned with Mrs. Gerard. not oaly
walking by his side. bat claAsing -
his arm. Her voice did Hot soa01
warlike ~ she crested Broadway.
How do yos do. Jseksear shs sASl
quietly.
How do you Do. Nrs. ossard!-
''Has Rankin told yoar
"Yss. Mrs. Gerard: RaAkia has ~
me-"
bst not bsllissrsatly -. 'TA never
b happy II New Yosk sisald imasi.s
I'd beea fitted. o. The subjsct a .
practical Joke" sAs began si1ply. NY
excuse for thriving yos over y vssy
good oss-my saeags0sat to the sasi
Of Cortland"
He bowed. tss DsssisA - AnA aay
words.
After . fsw hosrs' talk vftA AaA.
kin I became coavinosd that . mar
raise bstwesa you and ne never wsald
have besa . happy one"
Again Broadway nodded. He could
quite agree with that
Hence my decisSoa to marry the
earl" She went closer to him almost
pleadinxly. I've played fair with you.
Jackson; BOW want you to do the
same by me-"
I'll do anything you ask" be fer
vently assured her. Anything with
in reason, Mrs. Gerard.
"All ask is that you keep my
secret"
II will What is IT,"
You really don't knowr
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 astonishel
almost t. the point OF physical col
:apse.
It's true" she went ON gravely
We've had q thorough understanding.
and Rankin has agreed to become an
earl"
Again Broadway's surprise was al
most mors than hs could quietly sup
port.
oh. don't be astonished! It's my
only protection. Have your solemn
promise that you'n not divulge the ~
cret?"
"r nv. vou nv vorA AZ honor hs
said fsfvsatiy.
VERY well. 0oodby!"
He earnestly shook hands With her.
"0oodby. Mrs. Gerard. I heDs yoa
will - very happy"
IT isnt . question Of happiness.
Jacksoa." sAs said slowly. and in
way that somewhat worried him. II
simply doat want to b humiliassd.
You undsrstAAd!"
"YAa. I ps1AopaHanA Me- N>eavA0