The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-05-28


ed Of the weather to cover AntOine's
retreat. I resolved not to tell him
the real cause Of the servants appre-
tensions, knowing his disposition to
magnify trifles and fearing he might
send the police to investigate. lie
lived only five miles from Barton, a
fact to which he now referred.
Hadn't heard OF any tramps over
my way" he said frowning. "These
old lunatics your uncle left here are
simply hipped; that's all. It's a
wonder YOU didn't think Of upsetting
his will on the ground Of mental un-
soundness."
"Oh, chuck It! They're well-mean-
ing helpless people, and it's bully that
uncle Bash provided a home for them.
There's nobody else to use the place."
His cigar had proved soothing. but
my last remark caused him to sit up
straight in his chair.
by George! my hold-up almost
made me forget what l came for. l
have news for you. Singleton good
or bad. as YOU may take it; Mrs.
EashfOrd Is In America.
Mrs. Bashford." I repeated family,
"where do you get these pleasant
tidings?"
"This." he answered. producing a
telegram. lis all | know about it."
He seemed to sense my discontinue.
The message read:
"Pittsfield, Mass, Sept. 90.
y. b. Terrence.
"Bainbridge Trust Co., New York.
LANDED ut Seattle a week ago,
and have been motoring east from
Chicago to see the country. viii
reach Barton in four or five days.
Please wire me at the Washington
inn, Lenox. whether house is In order
FOR occupancy.
"Alice Rashford."
well what do you say to that?" he
demanded.
Il say it's taking unfair advantage"
I answered savagely. I've got TO
clear out; that's the first thing"
Not necessarily. Your right to the
garage is settled: she couldn't Dust
you IL she wanted to. You've got to
stay here anyhow till she comes ;
there's no ducking that. There are
many little courtesies she would nat
urally expect from YOU"
Tn delighted that you see my duty
SO clearly. If you hadn't assured me
that h was safe at the end OF the
world | wouldn't have set foot here"
1.-THE house Is in order. l judge"
he remarked. glancing about the room.
I've got to wire her that we're ready
for her."
"You most certainly have! You
might add that she's causing serious
Inconvenience to her late husbands
only nephew"
"You really don't mean thaty' he
inquired a~nxiously.
'Oh. thunder, no !"
had forgotten how trying Terrence
could be. He now suggested that we
summon Antoine and take q look at
the house. Terrence is a conscientious
fellow with an exact and orderly mind,
and there was no cOrne Of the place
from cellar to garrett that we didn't
explore. 1t was highly creditable to
the old birmingham servants that the
house IA thoroughly habitable.
As We were on our way downstairs
the old fellow detained me q moment.
Have you told him about the
parties?"
/ shook my head in angry rejection
Of the idea that l should tell Terrence
about 1.-THE parties" and dismissed
him as soon as we reached the hall.
Il suggest" said Terrence, that
when she comes you have flowers In
all the rooms: the conservatory will
supply enough. And It occurs to me
that the more inconspicuOus you
make this bunch of lazy dependents
the more agreeable it will be for Mrs.
BashfOrd."
"YOu don't expect much Of me! It
was never in the contract that l
should become the patriarch Of these
venerable relics. But I'll warn them
to conceal themselves as much as pos
Sible. fully expect to leave the
reservation for good just one hour
after the .ady arrives"
that's your affair, Of course. Az
she's motoring. we can't just time her
arrival, but when ! get a wire that
she's on the way I'll telephone you.
And. Of course. after she gets here
Til come at once to pay my respects."
"YOu can't come too soon r. I
answered spitefully.