The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-03-04
CHAPTER V.-Continued.

Broadway did not even, vince, but
turned back to his Beatrice. And how
is my little banquet queen this morn,
ing?" .
Il came here happy as a lark she
said complainingly, but now I'm ter,
ribly upset" %%'
why what has happened to my lit
tie round OF pl~easure?" He smiled
serenely, worshipfully into her scarce
ly hidden wrinkles.
This man has been saying terrible
things to me-"
jackson whirled reproachfully upon
his friend. why, Bob! What have
you been saying to my. little Beatrice?"
ooh, don't!" implored the utterly
disguised Wallace. ..f.
Tell me-" Jackson begged in com
forting, tones of the excited widow;
what has he been saying to you?"-
Calling it a ridiculous match, say
ing that I shouldn't take you serious
ly, intimating that you didn't really
love me, and"
She was very close to tears, but
fought them back for the sake of a
complexion which she feared might
not be waterproof.
Broadway went with an accusing
mien to Wallace. You said these
things!"
eyes," said that young person, ;un-
ashamed, those and a great many
more" s-5I ... ,....,". "
Bob Wallace! I'm surprised!
Shame on you!"
Wallace scarcely was prepared for
this. Nov see here, Jackson, L"
He did not complete the sentence,
but seized his old friend by the lapels
of his coat as if to bear him from the
room to some spot where, unworried
by the lady's presence, he could talk
or hammer sense into his head.
But Broadway would not have this.
He pulled away with emphasis. Don't
do that! Don't do that" he cried.
"You've-you've insulted my future
wife and l demand apologies"
Were all his plans for paying.up his
debts to be thus put at naught? Was
his first venture as a ffnancier to be
thus nuilifed?, He thought not!
you mean to say you're going to
be married." g.
"Of course we're going to be mar
ried," Mrs. Gerard said very snappily.
"Of course we're going to be mar
ried," Broadway echoed with a quick
glance at her which Wallace thought
held something indicating apprehen.
sion.
He stood aside with face all woe-be-
gone, worried and amazed. If this
thing-this unthinkable, unbelievable
insanity-was seriously planned by
his young friend, if he, had actually
passed his word, why then, of course,
nothing nor was to be said upon the
subject. =.
VERY well then; l apologize" he
said dejectedly. g..
Not to me-" said Jackson, grandly,
ITO the lady"
Wallace went to her in. humility Of
attitude, but in revolt Of soul. Mrs.
Gerard" Che never before had found 1t
difficult to avoid profanity in a lady's
presence), a. offer a thousand apollo
gfes." -
She was not convinced of his sin
cerity, which was not in the least sur
prising. After such impertinence l
don't know that l ought to accept your
apology"
"But. don't you see? 1 thought it
was all-a joke" Dis
This was a new offense. But why
should you think such a thing? Is It
at all unusual that people in love
should marry" .
He thought her positively aged as he
looked at her. Every wrinkle in her
c~ountenance took on new length, new
depth as he observed her. From her
he looked to Jackson. How very young
he seemed! A mere child, in fact.
why, no" he granted, knowing that
he lied. OF course not. But IL didn't
understand. L"