The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-26

"You Don't Think He Seriously Con-
siders Marrying Your"
dignation.
You'll pardon me, Mrs. Gerard" he
said alphabetically, but I was think
ing of something funny"
Something that just happened? %
she said suspiciously.
NO." he replied earnestly, Some
thing that happened years ago."
For moment l thought you were
laughing at me-" she admitted.
| "Oh, Mrs. Gerard-how could you?"
She was pacified. 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 silly child"
His establishment 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
fve!"
AS she had herself at least reached
that age, he felt himself pardonable
for Interpreting her meaning as he did
"Sixty-flve children? Realty"
mo, no."
mo, of course not" he admitted.
What am I thinking OFF,
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 effrontery Of this 1t 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
to be taking him quite seriously, to be
pleased, in fact. "They all married.
Foolish youngsters"
"Oh, l don't know 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 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"
Ssh" she cautioned playfully. Il
don't tell my age to everyone!"
Il can readily understand that"
How old are you, Mr.. Wallace?" she
asked sweetly, evidently pleased at
the establishment Of confidential rela-
tions with this, Broadway's most init
mate friend.
I'll be twelve in October" he re-
piled with a calm smile.
Twelve!" 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, "and add about thirty more
to your own"
What" She was instantly indig-
nant, not unnaturally.
"Oh, 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 what
you're saying?"
II know what I'd like to say" he
confessed, looking steadfastly at her.
About what?"
about your engagement to young
Mr.. Jones. Why, you're not taking the
chap seriously, are you?"
Her anger grew. What do you
mean!'
"Just what say" he answered firm-
ly. THAT it's all wrong. It's impos-
sible. The idea Of q woman of your
age imagining for moment that this
boy is fool enough to think of such a
thing! Do you stop to think what peo-
pie will say? Don't you realize that it
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 story
at once. Say it was all a joke. Say
anything, but for heavens sake don't
let it go any further!"
She gazed at him in speeches.
wrath while he nervously paced the
room.
Surely" he said whirling, "you
don't think he seriously considers mar
rying you?"
"And why not?" Her icy tone was
full of outraged dignity.
Because it would be a ridiculous
match. Give it serious thought. You're
sensible woman, figure it out for
yourself. Why, you're more than twice
his a~e!"
"Sir!"
why, he's only twenty-five mot
that, yet"
She gaxed Ut him in speechless rage
for twenty seconds, then said, oxplo-
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