Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1914-07-01
"ohI ahe.a perfectly reconciled. sir:

9S&4ta E tSE&EIsEA&E
"oh, she's perfectly %reconciled. sir;
believe me HS:$
Here was shock as pleasant as
the other had been terrible. 1t was
almost too good to be true. Recon
ciled! You mean she understands
that - 9s1&
"oh, yes, sir. She's already sent
out a denial of her engagement to
you" TX.
His hearer could have ren the all
with shouts of Joy. but did not. he
only asked namely: HAS she? "
yes, sir" Now Rankin once more
hesitated. in the form, sir. 1of---er-
another announcement" 7&&+ a
This nearly stunned his master.
you e she's engaged to someone
|else?" Il.
yes, sir; she's going to marry the
earl Of Cortland" X s5s5
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 a tragedy by his ancient Sweet.
heart, dearie q" The earl Of Cort
land!"5he exclaimed.
Yes, sir; will you see her, sir? i
think it's best for all concerned"
You're sure, r you? It's not q
dream, or anything like that? She
isn't trying sto@trap me?" %S \
"No, sir .MaySI ask her to come in !
She's just behind the hedge"
Did Bob8see her?" 81
mo; he was SO busy talking with
his father. sir that he did not recog'
nize us as we passed. Seems to be
most earnest, SIT, his father"
Rankin, II you're certain, bring her
In. But if. "A
syn quite certain. sir" II
jackson waited for them nearSthe
entrance to the verdant circle. He
thought 1t better not to go back to
the house. Even IL the lady was quite
reconciled there stills might be some
details OF her conversation whichtfhe
would not care toShaye heard by the
subsequently, one sof the girls.
Almost Immediately Rankin re
turned with Mrs. Gerard, not only
walking by his side,5 but clinging to
his arm. Her. voice did not sound
warlike as she greeted Broadway
How do you do. Jackson? she said
quietly.
"How do you do. Mrs. Gerard? !" L.
"Has Rankin told you?""
Yes. Mrs. Gerard Rankin has told o.
me. Y M
She really: seemed very much upset
but not b~elligerently so. "1'd never
be happy IL New York should imagine
I'd been Tilted, or the subject Of 9
practical joke shh began simply. my
excuse for throwing you over is e very
good one----my engagement sto thesear]
of, Cortland"
He bowed. too puzzled tog md Ind any N
words. 6
after few hours talk with55Ran'
kin I became convinced that mar
riage between you and me never-would
have been q happy one.
Again Broadway nodded. He4could
quite agree with that.
Hence my decision to marry the
earl" She went closer to him almost
pleadingly. 1--WE played fair with9Syou
jackson; now want you to- do the
same by me. 4 s
'Illado anything you ask" he fer
vently assured her. Anything with
In reason, Mrs. Gerard. n \
"All$ I ask }sis that you keep my
secret"
Il will, What il. it?''
"You really don't know"
mo, Mrs. Gerard S8 81 i&
After another tiny hesitation she
held out her hand to Rankin. May
present the earl of Cortland = sh.
said, leading the abashed butler for
ward. i SS x HszSi$5
What" broadway was astonishet
almost to the point Of physical col
lapse. 5@s4
ITS true" she went on gravely
"We'veS had a thorough understanding
and Rankin has agreed to become az
earl" z
Again Broadway's surprise vas al
most more than he could quietly sup
port. &sS
."Oh, don't be astonished!! It's my
only protection. Have | your solemn
promise that you'll not divulge the Sc
cret q Y SI#< WAR;
Z give you my word Of honor" be
said %fervently.
Very well: Goodby!"
He fearnestly shook hands with her
.Goodby. Mrs Gerard. I hope yor
will be very happy"
1T isn't a question of happiness
Jackson" she said slowly and in .
way that somewhat worried him. =
simply don't want to be Inundated
You understand" &5t5 Is
Eyes; I understand, Mrs. Gerard
She turned to the earl OF Cortland
Shake hands with Mr.. Jones, Ran
kin" -SS
jackson pulled him to one side, al
most Indignantly. "See here, Rankin
do you mean to tell me that you'd de
such a mean contemplate thing al
to marry a woman deliberately for hel
money!?
eyes, sir" said Rankin very gravely
"and thank you. sir. for the opportu
nifty"
Come. e%arlie," Mrs. Gerard called
softly. 5~ Ia
Eyes. Beatrice" He dropped thu
hand of his erstwhile employer ane
took the arm OF his afianced wife.
I'VE have just six minutes before
train time" she admonished him, ant
turned to Broadway, who was stand
ing, dazed. "Goodby!" (:
He had gone back to the house and
was standing leaning somewhat weak
~ against a pillar Of the porch, unable
even to make her presence known t.
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 te
his friends remarks mechanically.
yes" he was saying, "the entire