The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1914-09-25
CHAPTER V.

NdIIdCe was q ma morning FlSltCF.
He came In briskly, inquiring OF the
very much puzzled butler for the very
elegant apartments master.
He's not yet up, sir"
This apparently had not the least de.
torrent effect on the young caller. lie
urged his firm athletic frame through
the short hall into the dim illumiua.
ton Of the tlat's reception room. Ii
was evident enough that he had no in
t@ention of departing, simply because
the master of the house had not yet
risen. Rankin understood that and did
not G%ainsay him. Wallace had his
privileges as the best friend OF the ten
ant OF the fat.
Shall | tell hin You are here"
Yes said Wallace firmly, and tell
him that | want to see him right away.
It's very important. DO you under
stand"
Rankin had already read tho morn
ing's papers which were lying In a
neat pile on the table. He longed for
fuller news than theirs.
Yes. sir" But he hesItated slight
ly. broadway was an indulgent mas
ter-still, ttfauge things were happen
ing; he was doubtful. He said he
didn't wish to be disturbed till Satur-
day. sir
Wallace was not impressed. THAT
doesn't make any difference. You tell
him want to see him"
Yes, sir" But the perfect servant
still hesitated, filed with curiosity
about the previous night. Wallace
, might enllghten him. He didn't get
! home until five o'clock this morning.
lie attended some big dinner-party, |
believe
Yes; | was there-I was there, Go
on and call him, Tell him I am wait
Ing. I'm going to haze a heart TO heart
talk with hat young man"
Yes. sir" said the butler without
fastening. for he saw that Wallace
had picked up a paper from the neat
pile he had made OF all OF them upon
The table.
Great Scott" Wallace cried, .lls-
mey ed. Here it ls on the front pager
Il beg pardon, Mr.. Wallace. bat Is It
oil true, sir?"
what"
The story in the morning papers,
nr. about-er-his engagement"
Il don't know. Someone rang me up
AID told me Of 1t. It's what brought
mo here. | want to And out il it's
trle. | left the dinner at 1890. The
engagement, | am told. was announced
shortly after | had left. Were You up
when he got home this morning."
Yes. STR"
: did he talk OF it at ail?'
"Hs-couldn't talk SO very ouch.
st."
'Tipsy?"
Rankin nodded very solemnly.
"Stewed. sir"
Did he come home alone?"
/, "He came in here alone, but a crowd
was serenading him upon the sidewalk
for ten minutes after he arrived. II
WAS the wedding march they tried to
sing. | couldn't understand why they
chose that until | read the mornings
papers. sir"
"Well, what do you think OF It, Ran
kim"
Rankin shrugged his sho llders. but
did not reply. His instructive loyalty
70 his employer, his perfect knowledge
OF his own proprieties prevented that.
"Oh. come on" Wallace urged. You
can tell me. Just between us now"
shes old enough to be his mother,
sir" Rankin said with lowered voice.
She's old enough to be his mothers
mother" Wallace cried eXplosively.
Then, with determination: Go on
and tell him that | want to see him.
Hurry up"
Rankin yielded.
These were the headlines OF the item
Wallace had perused with such dis
may upon the first page of the news
paper. There were columns Of II.
MRS. JAMES GERARD'S ENGAGE
MENT:.
The Three Times Widow 10 Share
Her Millions With Broadway's
Own Jackson Jones.
This Announcement, Which Surprised
New York, Was Made Last Night AZ
a Dinner-P Party Given by the Young
Spendthrift in Honor Of the Wealthy
Widow"
Wallace dropped the paper and
looked at 1t as it lay upon the floor
with discomfort apparent in his coun-
tenance. That's the biggest laugh
New York has had In years." he
groaned. I'D like to"
Upol a nearby table the telephone
buzzed bus!ly. He went to 1t.
Hello" said he "Yss- No;