The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-01-16

lie made no reply, merely casting al
her a maleyolent. sidelong glance.
i say What do you think Of it all?"
What do you think of it, yourself7'
Il am as happy as a little birdy I'm g
tree-top," she replied, assuming airs
reserved for maidens OF sixteen.
Against his will, indeed, to his as
constituent. he burst into a roar OF
laughter.
She looked at him with natural In
dignation.
You'll pardon me. Mrs. Gerard" he
said apologetically, "but I was think
ing of something funny"
Something that just happened?'
sic said su~spiciously.
No" he replied earnestly, ''some
thing that happened years ago"
For a moment l thought you were
laughing at me-" she admitted.
ON, Mrs. Gerard-how could o ?"
She was pacifed. Taking herself
with perfect seriousness she did not
fail to credit others with the same in
tention. II know I'm horribly touchy
In some respects" She would gaily,
almost babyishly. Mother always
calls me a silly child
His astonishment was genuine.
Your mother! Is your mother still
living?"
Why, yes; of course And what a
mother!" she cried enthusiastically.
What a wonderful mother! Sixty
fvei"
As she had herself at least reached
that age, he felt himself pardonable
for interpreting her meaning as he did.
"Sixty-five children? Realty"
No, MOI"
NO. OF course not" he admitted.
What am thinking Off"
Ten children" said the ancient
sweetheart of his friend. Five bows.
Ave girls. The baby they always call
me-
He was literally withered by the
bold effrontery Of this. II seemed In
credible even to the bald complacency
of this extraordinary dame. But he
was young and rapid of recovery. II
suppose" he suggested with mild eye
and an inquiring air, that most of
The boys are still going to SCHOOL,"
Why, of course mott" She seemed
20 be taking him quite seriously. to be
pleased, in fact. "They all married.
Foolish youngsters
AOh, | don't know. | married my
hrst husband when was eighteen. Her
eyes grew reminiscent When she
spoke 1t was as IL she made conce
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
woman. do you mean to tell me that
you're"
Sh!' she cautioned playfully. 81
don't tell my age to e~veryone!"
Il can readily understand that"
How old are you, Mr.. Wallace?' she
asked sweetly, evidently pleased at
the establishment OF confidential reIa-
tons with this. Broadway's most init
mate friend.
I'll be twelve In October" he re.
piled with a calm smile.
"Twelvei" She paused and Their
burst into her small cackle of artificial
laughter. "Oh, | see; you wan nae to
add about twenty to that"
Yes" he exclaimed un~gallantiy, dis
gustedly, land add about thirty more
to your own"
What" She was instantly indig.
nant. not unnaturaIIy.
ooh, come. now, Mrs. Gerard" he
urged. You don't expect me to be
lieve that you
She was thoroughly indignant. How
dare you, sir! Do you know wha'
you're saying?"
Il know what I'd like to say" hi
confessed, looking steadfastly at her.
About what?'
about our engagement to youns
Mr.. Jones. Why, you're not taking tn,
chap seriously, are you?"
Her anger grew. What do 20,
mean"
Just what | say" he answered firm
ly. THAT it's all wrong. It's impos
sible. The idea of a woman of YOU
age imagining for a moment that THU
boy is fool enough to think of such 1
thing! Do you stop to think what peo
pie will say? Don't you realize that Il
can't be? That it's simply ~preposter
GUS? Why"
Are you trying to insult me, sir?"
No." he answered earnestly, I'm
trying to save you from being humili
ated and laughed at. Deny the stor,
at once. Say it was all a joke. Sa.
anything, but for heavens sake DON
let it go any further!"
She gazed at him in speeches
wrath while he ~nervously paced tn
room.
Surely" he Eaid whirling, "yo'
don't think he seriously considers MAJ
rying your"
And why not?" Her icy tone wa,
full OF outraged dignity.
Because 1t would be q ridiculouI
match. Give it serious thought. Your
q sensible woman. figure 1t out 70
yourself. Why, you're more than twic'
his age!"
"Sir!"