The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-10-17
CHAPTER X.-Continued.


to show his irritation at Blakes tone.
1.-THE fact isl want to get mar.
RED"
1.-THE blazes you do! Is that boast
or confession?"
II don't quite understand you," said
Tom stifly.
* mean," began his father, 81 mean
oh, never mind all that Who's the
girl?'
Before tell you," evaded Tom, I'D
like to get your views on the PROPOSE
tion 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 a nest of hornets that
you happen to step into Hell's full of
women. Sos, Heaven, | 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 SOFT who can help you in get.
ting where / want to put your"
How can 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
under sealed orders. I've made you
pretty fair lawyer. You'll have one
more term as assistant district attor-
ney. Then one as district attorney.
Then as encouragement. After that
a term 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.
itated.
"Yes?" 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
mpst make 1t up for me- This girl
you want to marry-can she help you?
Can you take her with you-right up
to the White House?"
Il 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. L"
Told her 80? Then-then, you've
asked her to marry you?"
"She's refused me-so far"
WE'LL" grinned Blake, vastly re-
lieved That's far enough, guess.
Don't go overplaying your luck"
I'm going to stick at it till win
OUT" declared Tom. "And I'm"
mo, no! Don't do 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, mystified
Yes. 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 q bum JOKE" growled
Blake. Maybe it'd go better with the
banjo. Stop guying me, boy. and tell
me who the girl really isl
81 told you" repeated Tim. she
Is Wanda Kelly"
There was dead pause. Blake at
last broke it.
There's about forty-five million
in the United States" he NUT
tered dazedly, land out of that whole
lot, you had to go and-and fall in love
with"
What's your objection2' bristled
Tom. "You don't even know her, yet"
II don't. hey?" retorted Blake.
Then, checking the impulse to tell
his. son the story Of his verbal tilt
With Wanda, he added:
Maybe I don't. But | know her =
tind. She's after o rich mans son.