Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1913-11-20
CHAPTER x.-continued.

number called by StandiSh
CHAPTER X.-continued.
Well" answered Tom. trying not
to show his irritation at Blake's tone.
1.-The fact isl want to get mar
ried."
The blazes you do! Is that boast
or a confession"
81 don't quite understand you." said
Tom sthIy.
Il mean" began his father. Il mean
oh, never mind all that. Who's the
gfrl?"
Before / tell you" evaded Tom, I'D
like to get your views on the proposi-
ton 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
can't classify EN- any more than you
can classify q nest Of hornets that
you happen to step TITO. Hells full OF
women. Sos Heaven, 1 guess But
neither class got to either place by
following any proposition in general
Tell me- he demanded. his philosoph-
icaI mood changing in a fash to one
OF almost savage intentness. lis this
girl the sort whoeaa help you in get
ting where want to put you?"
How can tell? You've never told
me Just where you intended to put
me-
Then I'll tell you now. There's no
zeal need in your sailing any farther
under 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 attorney general After that
a term or two in the cabinet-1ust to
get the run Of things
There's only one thing left, said
Tom, almost in awe, as his father hes
1tated.
sYes?" replied Blake grimly, Well,
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-ean she help you2
Can you take her with you-right UP
to the White House,
4 don't know" returned Tom
you see. I've never thought OF her as
a political asset. Happiness means a
good deal more to me than position
I'VE already told her so. I"
Told her so? Then-then. you've
asked her TO marry YOU
She's refused me-so far"
Well" grinned Blake, vastly re
fisyed That's far enough. [ guess.
Don't go overplaying your luck"
I'm going to stick at it till I win
OUT" declared Tom. And I'm"
No no. Don't do a crazy thing like
that. son." pleaded Blake. Take your
medicine like a 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: shes
Miss Kelly
kelly" repeated Blake, mystiaed
les. W AuuA NNAAgB AAN RGVA@ ~
orator downstairs"
"What9" 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 a bum Joke" growled
Blake. Maybe it'd go better with the
banjo Stop guying me. boy. and tell
me who the girl really IS"
= told you" repeated Tim. She
Is Wanda Kelly
There was dead pause Blake at
last broke Il.
There's about forty-hve million
women in the United States be NUT
tered dsgedly. and out OF that whole
lot. you had to 90 aud-and fall IN love
with"
what's your objection" bristled
Tom. you don't even know her. yet.
Il don't. hey" retorted Blake.
Then, checking the impulse 70 tell
his son the story OF his verbal tilt
with Wanda he added
Maybe don't. But know her
kind. she's after rich mans 500.