The Huttig news., 1914-02-07
@He-coulane talk so very much.

oh. come on." Wallace urged. You can tell me. Just between us now"
 She's old enough to he his mother, sir" Rankin said with lowered voice.
 She's old enough 10 be his mothers mother! Wallace cried explosively Then, with determination: Co on and tell him that want to see him. Hurry upin
 Rankin yielded.
 These were the headlines Of the item Wallace had pernsed with such dis may upon the first page Of the news. paper: There were columns Of 1t. MRS. JAMES GEgARD'S ENGAGE
 MENT.
 "The Three Times Widow to Share
 Her Millions With Broadways
 Own Jackson Jones. This Announcement, Which Surprised New York. Was Made Last Night at a Dinner-Party Given by the Young Spendthrift in Honor of the Wealthy
 Widow
 Wallace dropped the paper and looked at it as it lay upon the floor with discontent apparent in his eoun- tenance. That's the biggest laugh New York has had in years" he groaned ''f'd like to-
 Upon nearby table the telephone buzzed busily. He went to it.
 Hello" said he "Yes No: this is Mir. Wallace speaking. No; not MT Jones' I am friend of his. No: he can't come to inc chone. He's dressing. II can't make an appointment for you. Whats the name? Yes; have it: Peter Pembroke. You must see him today? Very we'll. I'll tell him. Say you'll call? All right. I'll tell him. Good-by."
 He returned from the phone ss Ran kin reappeared Wake him, did your" Yes, sir. He'll be dressed in about ten minutes" He hustled about the room. gathering up the newspapers q told him l had just read Of his engage menf and congratulated him..
 What did he say?"
 Nothing, sir; just asked for the pa- pers and whisky soar. He says be sure and wait'
 ''Oh, I'll wait, all right!''
 There was something stronger than mere acquiescence in the ronng mari : voice. There was determination in it :: the determination Of a man who has a plan in mind. Thus might fond, but angry father speak. who held rod in pickle for the erring son for whom he waited
 Fiercely he paced the room until his steps. half waysto the outer hall. were arrested by the buzzing of the door /! hell. Rankin who had started with the whisky sour and newspapers for his masters door, turned hack and Dslt them on a table.
 Another early calIer!" he com plained. The situation mad begun Co get on his nerves. 'If it's newspaper reporter tell him l MT. Jones ts out of town "Yes, sir"
 Wallace felt his nerves rasp ss he aeard the voice which greeted Rankin in the hall. It was not that Of a io,,r~ naiist but that of the fair and ancient widow to whom Jackson was alleged to be aA1anced. For moment he con. sidered flight. but he was made of herner stun and held himself In check, Cbe lady swept into the room, 1 It was evident that she was just a dt nonplussed at seeing him, but shs recovered quickly: she had had much experience with the emergencies of fife.
 Good morning, MT. Wallace" she aid sweetly
 Her age he noted. showed more ,lainly in the daytime, despite the arts ihich she invoked to hide it. He had ;ot seen her previously, save by arti- .cial light.
 He was shocked. She made him mink of the unpleasant mother of sn npleasant boyhood schoelmate. He iad hated all of them. Exsctlr as thia i'd woman now was smiling that old oman of his early youth had smiled hen she with diabolical ingenuity had cen devising comprehensive plans for polling days fishing.
 '"!s greeting ot Mrs. Gerard vas very formal, but she did not seen, toi rnina
 "Wbere Is MT. Jones'" she asked Rankin.
 He's dressing ma'am'
 Well. tell him am here and wait ing to take him for a spin through the 1 park. Say to him that it's glorious morning"
 There was an unction in her tones. hint of triumph and proprietcrship which nnaddened Wallace Could it he. possible that his good friend was to be, linked in wediock with -er-this--, He was instinetsselv s courteous. man and his thoughts refused to form word to suit his wild emotions, tTo BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEki S.. R. Nasl' 'kas purchased the interest of c. B. Wood ln the hveyy