Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-11-08
A FRIENDS EFFORT.

| A FRIENDS EFFORT.
Close TO the hour at which Robert Wal
| lace had left Broadway's dinner. a GER
tain astute parsonage connected with
| Speary's, but whose official title was
not press agent" had gone to one of
Spearys telephones. He had called six or
seven numbers, among them 1000 Beck
man. 1000 Beekman and 1900 Beekman.
Soon after his series OF conversations,
several keen-eyed young men were watch
ing the scene in the private dining room
from corners of Railways and balconies
So 1t was that the next morning wal
lace, in an idle moment after closing a
contract, read fairly accurate account
of what had occurred at the now famous
dinner after he had left. Long as he
had known Broadway Jones. the stories"
astounded him. Like many of the guests
of the previous night he had thought
| that here was merely another OF the
famous punches" The next moment he
had put the joking possibilities aside and
was certain that Broadway was out OF
his senses. He finished by not knowing
what to think and took the subway to
the house which Jones had rented at
the commencement of making his name
Rankin the butler, had read the pa
pers, too. but he had little to add to
mitted Jones in the morning and had
been told that the day was Thursday
Broadway was not be called until Satur-
day.
Wallace sent Rankin to his master.
The butler reported back that he had
aroused Broadway, the latter had called
for the newspapers and a whisky sour,
and was even then dressing.
While in 8 bitter state of mind. Wal
lace sat waiting there was an agitated
ring Of the doorbell.
IF it's newspaper reporter, tell him
that Mr.. Jones is out Of town" ordered
Wallace
MRS. GERARD CALLS.
few moments later Mrs. Gerard
pushed past Rankin into the room. few
traces Of the previous evening upon her
heavily rouged cheeks.
Tell Mr. Jones I'm here and waiting
to take him for a spin through the park"
she said to the butler. Say to him that
it's a glorious morning"
| Then, seeing Wallace sitting gloomily
in his chair. she wished him Good
morning." to which he responded shortly
and gloomily
you didn't wait for the announce
ment last night" said she. What do you
| think of it?" Then, as he didn't reply,
Il say, what do you think OF our en-
gagement?"
What do you think of ito" caustic;Ily
Again came the high falsetto which
Mrs Gerard had used on the previous
evening as emotion of any sort seemed
to send her voice squeaking into an up
per register-one that showed the wear
OF age.
I'm the happiest girl in New York, q"
she piped.
At his biting burst of laughter she
drew herself up. but he assured her that
| his mirth was caused by something
that hopuened years ago" She was re-
| leved, as mother always called her
| silly child
'"Tour mother Is your mother sim
alive?' burst from him in establishment.
''Why. of course" answered Mrs. Ger
ard. "She had ten children-fve boys
and FIVE girls I'm tho Youngest of the
girls. The baby. they always called me"
Il suppose most of the boys are still
going TO SCHOOL," satirtcally.
"Oh, no; they are all married"
A QUESTION OF AGE.
Foolish youngsters
"Oh. 1 don't know! | married my first
husband when | was eighteen. That's
twenty long Years ago"
Mrs Gerard had said this braveIy, but
there was an astounded pause on the
part of Wallace, at the end of which
he exclaimed:
you don't mean to tell me that
you re"
She put one withered finger to her ar
tfcially redeemed lips.
Ssh" She almost Whispered That's
only between us. I don't tell my age to
every one. How old are you, Mr. Wal
lace?"
Not q muscle of his face moved as he
replied:
I'm be twelve IN October"
A bewlldered look CROSSED the old rose,
fatuous face of the triple widow. Final
ly she laughed.
"Oh, see she said. you want me
to add about twenty to that"
To Be Continued in Next Issue.