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

/ turned WIFI uOt OA4J
walking BY his side, but clinging to
his arm. Her voice did not sound
warlfke as she greeted Broadway.
How do you do Jackson?" she said
quietly.
How do o do, Mrs. Gerard?"
HAS Rankin told your"
YES, Mrs. Gerard; Rankin has told
me-.
She really seemed very much upset,
but not b~elligerently %. "Td 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 l became convinced that a mar
raige between you and me never would
have been a happy one"
Again Broadway nodded. He could
quite agree with that.
Hence my decisions to marry the
earl She went closer to him almost
pleadingIy. 1--WE played fair with you,
Jackson; now I want you to do the
same by me-"
.Tn do anything you ask" he fer
vently assured her. Anything with
in reason, Mrs. Gerard.
All / ask is that you keep my
secret"
IT will. What is it?'
you really don't know?''
mo, Mrs. Gerard"
After another tiny hesitation she
held out her hand to Rankin. May !
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.
TITS 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?"
Il give you my word Of honor" he
said fervently.
Very well. Goodby!"
He earnestly shook hands with her.
"Goodby, Mrs. Gerard. I hope you
will be very happy"
TT 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? 2"
Eyes; I understand, Mrs. Gerard"
She turned to the earl of Cortland.
Shake hands with Mr.. Jones, Ram
kin"
Jackson pulled him to one side, al
do you mean to tell me that you'd do
such a mean contemplate thing as
to marry a woman deliberately for her
money!"
Yes, sir" said Rankin very graYely,
"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 his af6anced wife.
I'VE have just six minutes before
train time" she admonished him, and
turned to Broadway, who was stand
ing, dazed. "Goodby!"
He had gone back to the house and
was standing leaning somewhat weak
ly against a pillar of the porch, unable
even to make her presence known to
the two girls whose laughing, low
toned gossip he could hear from be
hind the vines, when Wallace came
up with his father. He listened to
his friends remarks mechanically.
Eyes" he was saying, "the entire
population of the town is about sour
thousand. The plant employs about
seven hundred" Then, catching sight
Of Broadway: There's Jackson now.
Tell him what you just told me-"
Broadway went to meet them, glad
to have the opportunity to test life
and make sure that it was real, even
if the proof showed that the elder
Wallace was entirely hostile.
''They offered you a million and a
half, didn't they?" asked Bob.
"Yes, that's what they onered-a
million and a half"
"Mr. Jones,",said the elder Wallace,
not without enthusiasm, my son has
been telling me of the grand, single
handed fight that you are making
against this giant corporation. I ad-
mire your pluck, sir"
Broadway looked at him with real
surprise and hearty gratitude. It
seemed that even this was coming
out all right!
"You deserve all the encouragement
and assistance possible" said this sud
denly delightful gentleman. your
loyalty to the people Of this little
town is commendable, sir. You de-