Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-01-29

@where is Mr.. Jonesf" she asked
Rankin.
Hes dressing, ma'am."
well, tell him | am here and wait
ing to take him for a spin through the
park. Say to him that it's a glorious
morning"
There was an JUNCTION in her tones,
a hint Of triumph and proprietorship
which maddened Wallace. Could it be
possible that his good friend was to be-
linked in wedlock with this-er-this-:
He was instinctively a courteous
man and his thoughts refused to form!
q word to suit his wild emotions.
She turned to him. Wont you join
us. Mr.. Wallace?" Her voice was hon.
eyed, though he saw that she was sure
of his a~ntagonism and reciprocated it.
NO" he snapped. It was IS an aft
erthought he added: 'Thanks!"
You went away early last night"
she v%entured. still with the honeyed
smile.
Eyes"
you didn't wait for the announce
ment."
NO"
Were you surprised when you heard
it,"
Staggered"
The smile deepened. She was most
offensive In her victory. 81 thought
you would be. What do you think Of
It aIl?"
Nc made NJ roDiu nooroIv oosti10 az,
her a m~alevolent, sidelong glance.
II say what do you think of it an?"
What do you think of it, yourself?'
Il am as happy as a little birdy in a.
uee-tep," she replied, assuming airs
reserved for maidens of sixteen.
Against his will, indeed, to his as
tonishment. he burst into a roar Of
laughter,
She. looked at him with natural In:
dignation.
'Youn pardon me, Mrs. Gerard" he.
said apologeticaIly, 'but I vas think
ing Of something funny"
Something that just h~appened?"
she said suspiciously.
No." he replied earnestly, some.
thing that happened years ago."
% " q OA4O \ S0O0SAS yO0 WS1O
laughing at me-" she admitted.
"Oh, Mrs. Gerard-how could your
She was pacifed. Taking herself
with perfect seriousness she did not
fail to credit others with the same in
.tention., Il know I'm horribly touchy,
in some ~respects.'' She would gafly,
almost babyishly. Mother always
calls me a silly child"
His establishment was genuine.
"Your mother! Is you mother still
living?"
why, yes; Of course And what a
motheri" she cried enthusiastically.
What a wonderful mother! Sixty
fve!"
AS she had herself at least reached
that age, he felt himself Lardonable
for interpreting her meaning as he did
"Sixty-ive children? ReaE1y!"
NO, mol"
mo, of course not" he admitted.
what am / thinking of"
Ten children said the ancient
sweetheart of his friend. Five boys,
five girls. The baby they always call
me-"
He was literally withered by the
bold efrontery Of this. It seemed in
credible, eve to the bald complaceney
Of this extraordinary dame. But he
was young and rapid Of "I
suppose" he suggested with mild eye
and an inquiring air, chat most of
the boys are still going to school?'
Why, of course not!" She seemed
TO be taking him quite seriously, to.be
pleased, in fact. "They all married?"
Foolish y~oungsters!"
"Oh, / don't know. I married my
first husband when was eighteen. Her
eyes grew reminiscent, When she
spoke it was as If she made conces-
sion OF unwelcome truth to him be-
cause he was a friend-a confidential
friend. That's twenty years ago!"
He was losing patience with the
oma DO you mean to tell me that
you're
"Sh!" she cautioned playfuIly. 81
don't tell my age to everyone!"
I can readily understand that"
How old are you, Mr.. Wallace? 90 she
asked sweetly, evidently pleased at
the establishment Of confidential rela-
tons with this, BroadWay's most int-
mate friend.
I'll be twelve in October he re-
piled with. calm smile.
Twelvei" She paused and then
burst into her small cackle of artificial
laughter. ~oh, / see; you want me to
add about twenty to that!"
Yes" he exclaimed ungallantly. dis.
gustedly, land add about thirty more
TO your own"
What" She was instantly indig.
pant. not unnaturalIy.
@oh. come. now. Mrs. Gerardi. he