The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-02-11
Copyright, 1913 by @. 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
a ceased to be the very perfect but.
Ter which he always had beer 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 1t. Broadway re-
garded him almost with affection. No:
certainly; Mrs. Gerard wal not with
him.
Well, here | am" the erstwhile
perfect serving man announced. Il
suppose o thought you we're never
going tc 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. 1t was
evident that there were some partic-
ulars to be divulged which he wished
Broadway's ears alone to hear. "It
was necessary"
Why didn't you send me some
word?"
Il can 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. 1t 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 Ill walk home with you"
All right" Curiosity consumed
the maidens. All this seemed exceed.
ingiy 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 we're
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 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"
II 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~imorously, his voice weakening.
She's here, sir"
This was terriically 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.
Eyes, 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. Il
won't see her! won't talk to her!'
But she's right outside the hedge,
sir. You must see her!"
"I-"
@Oh. she's perfectly reconciled, sir;
believe me-"
Here vas a shock as pleasant as
the other had been terrible. 1t was
almost too good to be true. Recon
ciledl You she understands
that l."
"Oh, yes, sir. She's already sent
out a denial of her engagement to
YOU"
His hearer could have rent the afr
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?"
ACSy Sill BIC 6OAu6 W nl0IEy Tic
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; viii you . her, sirf
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 l ask her to come In
She's just behind the hedge"
hid Bob see herr"
No: he was 90 busy talking with
his father. sir, that he did not recog.
nixe ~ - We passed. Seems to be
most earnest. sir, his father"
.Rankin, II you're certain, bring hen
a. 49,
I'm quite certain, slr.s
1nnkn0nNaifn1 ~ tAn0 nme r.