Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1914-05-22

He thought her positively aged as ne
looked at her. Every wrinkle In her
countenance took On new length, new
depth az 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. or course not. But II didn't
understand. +"
Broadway, himself with nerves I'M
strung almost to hysteria, began to
hum a tune and walk about, endeavor-
ing to look unconscious. Wallace eyed
him with new hope kindling In his
eyes. Was 1t, after all, a jest?
Now see here, Jackson; II you're
trying to fool me want to know! +"
Mrs. Gerard, who had been upon the
point OF granting him forgiveness,
stiffened In new wrath. There you go
again" she screamed Historically.
Another insult"
Really, Mrs. Gerard, I didn't mean
It."
Then what did you mean?" The
lady fixed him with a baleful glance.
He was entirely undone. why, I
God knows! DON'T"
well" said Jackson, Il think l do.
You're still in doubt as to whether or
not we are really going to be married.
Isn't that IT."
Put thus lucldly and simply, Wallace
could not definitely deny that that ex-
planned his mental state. He had
opened his distressed lips to admit
this when Mrs. Gerard prevented the
expression OF his worries with:
But why should he imagine such a
thing? L"
Broadway rose to the occasion, near
ly making Wallace faint with the glib
ease with which he used endearing
words when talking to the ancient
dame. Just a moment, sweetheart
dearie-please!" Then he turned to
Wallace. Come on, now; tell me the
truth"
We'll, l will admit" said his mis-
Clubiy uVdl tblCh IliChOs LhuI a.
| did think 1t was a joke. But"
"And you're not quite satisfied yet
that 1t Is not?"
why, of course, II you say-why-"
"Tll put you right. It'll all true.
We're engaged. We're going to be
married and we expect to be very hap
by, Do you believe 1t, now?"
why. certainly, II you say So" His
next question was Of Mrs. Gerard.
May | ask how long you've been en-
gaged?"
I'VE became engaged last night at
dinner"
That's right. It was last night at
dinner" her fiance corroborated. 1T
was during the ice cream"
1T all happened in a moment" said
the bride-elect.
Just like this" said Jackson. See?
Only one question asked: VIII you
marry me?' And l said Yes"
"What?" cried his Mortified inamo-
rata.
II mean she said yes Beatrice said
'yeo.'" corrected Jackson.
We're going to spend u honey
moon In SPAIN" she gushed, restored
to q good temper by B%roadway's expla-
nation.
"Spain!" 1t was Wallace who ex-
claimed.
Yes, Spain." said Broadway. too
elated at the thought OF finding cash
to pay bills to be worried about any.
thing, I'm going out this afternoon
to buy a sombrero and q tambourine.
Won't you congratulate us, Wallace?"
But Wallace simply could not trust
his ears. jackson, II you're trying to
| fool me-"
There he goes again." cried the
now thoroughly Infatuated b~ride-elect.
Jackson, I'm not going to stay here
and be insulted In such a manner!"
There! There!" Jackson soothed,
following her as she essayed to leave
the room. Don't be worried. Mr..
Wallace only thinks we're fooling
him"
But why should he think such a
thing%
Wallace, again contrite, approached
and started to apologize. She waved
him back with a wild hand.
Leave him to me, dear" Jackson
urged her. I'm FIVE minutes I'll ION.
vince him that 1t all is absolutely
true"
She was comforted q little by his
tone. Then you won't come for a
driver"
Stop for me in, say, half an hour"
We'll, Ill run along. then. must
get the air. All this has given me a
dreadful headache"
Jackson turned r%eprcachfully to
Wallace. See what you've done? L"
Bye bye, d~earie!" cried his flancee.
Bye bye, sweetheart"
In half an hour?"
About that"
Don't you listen to that mani" This
In a warning tone.
mo; I'm going to make him listen
to me-"
"Oh, you dear boy! Bye bye, dearie,'
She waved a plumply wrinkled hand al
him, and left th3 two young men alone
together.
Say, are, you going crazy?" were
Wallace's drst words, spoken as soor
as he was sure that she was gone.
Nothing Of the kind. I'm perfect,