Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1913-10-10
CHAPTER X.-Continued.

nuHEzW calle0 Dy StanulSn.
CHAPTER X.-Continued.
Well" answered Tom, trying not
TO show his irritation at Blake's tone
1.-THE fact isl want to get mar.
led"
"The blazes you do! Is that boast
or a confession?"
* don't quite understand you," said
TORI stiff1y.
x mean" began his father, II mean
oh never mind all that. Who's the
gir1?
Before tell you" evaded Tom, I'D
liko to get your views on the PROPOSE
:io's in general
In general?" repeated Blake. Son,
marriage Is never a proposition in
general! Because every woman is an
exception that proves no rule. You
cart classify 'em any more than you
can classify nest of hornets that
you happen to step into. Hell's full of
women. Sos Heaven, I guess. But
neither class got to either place by
following any proposition in general
Tell me-" he demanded, his philOsoph-
ical mood changing in a flash to one
OF almost savage intentness, lis this
girl the sort who can help you in get
ting where l want to put you?"
How can I tell? You've never told
me just where you intended to put
me"
Then I'll tell you now. There's no
real need in your sailing any farther
hinder sealed orders. I've made you a
pretty fair lawyer. You'll have one
more term as assistant district attor-
ney. Then one as district attorney.
Then as encouragement. After that
q tern or two in the cabinet-just to
get the run Of things"
There's only one thing left" said
Tom, almost in awe, as his father hes
itateG.
"Yes?" replied Blake grimly. We'll,
maybe that won't be left when we get
through. Now you can see why the
girl must be of good family and have
social position and breeding and all
that kind of thing. Those are the
things I'm shy on. And my children
must make it up for me. This girl
you want to marry-can she help you?
Can you take her with copyright up
to the White House?"
u don't know" returned Tom.
You see, I've never thought of her as
D political asset. Happiness means a
good deal more to me than position.
I've already told her so. L"
Told her so? Then-then, you've
cAked her to marry you?"
She's refused me-so far
Welt" grinned Blake, vastly re-
Ieved. "That's far enough, I guess.
Don't go overplaying your luck"
I'm going to stick at it till win
outi" declared Tom. And Tn"
mo no! Don't do a crazy thing like
that, son." pleaded Blake. Take your
medicine like man. Don't keep on
Fostering the poor girl. By the way,
you haven't told me who she is
she's" faltered Tom; then, TAX
ing the plunge, he blurted out: "she' S
Miss Kelly"
''Kelly?" repeated Blake, mystifed
Yves. Wanda Kelly, the phone op.
orator downstairs
WHAT" exploded Blake.
Then he collapsed in the nearest
chair and stared in blank helplessness
at his son.
Well" demanded Tom, instantly on
the defensive.
"It's-it's bum joke" growled
Blake. Maybe it'd go better with the
banjo. Stop guying me, boy, and tell
nae wing the girl really is"
81 told YOU" repeated Tim. "She
In Wanda Kelly"
There was a dead pause Blake at
last broke it.
There's about forty-ive million
women in the United States" he NUT
tered daZedly, land out OF that whole
lot, you had to go and-and fall in love
with"
Whats your objection?" bristled
Tom. you don't even know her, yet
Il don't, hey?" retorted Blake.
Then, checking the impulse to tell
his son the story Of his verbal tilt
with Wanda, he added:
Maybe l don't But I know her
gtna Sizes aitss n rich sNan's sea